The Sexual-Self: Phenomenological approaches to Gender Identity and Sexuality

Abstract

The fluidity of gender along with sexual fluidity and flexibility indicate that sexual attraction may exist and vary within a spectrum or a flux changing during the life. On the other hand, scientists distinguished two understandings of the ‘self’, the self as “Me” and the self as “I”. “Me” corresponds to the self as an object of experience, while “I” reflects the self as a subject of experience. The phenomenology of human sexuality provides a trans-disciplinary basis where we can create a synthesis of the various perspectival approaches to the subject. We suggested a ‘Sexual-Self’ model, comprised from the ‘Sexual-Me” component, corresponding to ‘Gender Identity’, and the ‘Sexual-I’ component, corresponding to ‘Sexuality’ - including ‘Sexual Preference and Orientation’. We also suggested different scientific concepts and domains that can help understanding the existence and the processes of ‘Sexual-Self’ throughout the life.