Sexuality is one aspect humans learns from the society and the environment around them. In this regard, sexual expression results from socialization- the lifelong practice of passing and inheriting customs, norms, ideologies, adoption of habits and skills necessary for participation in any given society. This paper aims to explore the subject of human sexuality in regards to different cultures and times.
Human Sexuality
Human sexuality is an individual’s sexual interest in or attraction to other people, in the capacity of experience erotic feelings (Nadal et al., 2015). Whereas biological sex refers to the classification of one's anatomy, genetics, or physiology- typically female, male, or intersex. Sexuality also differs from an individual's gender identity that classifies people based on social and cultural tenets-that is a woman, man, or another gender- or based on the biological sex- that is either female or male. It is worthwhile to note that human sexuality is distinct from sexual orientation, though it shapes an individual's sexual and emotional attraction to a specific gender or sex.
Sexuality is expressed and experienced in diverse ways for example fantasies, thoughts, desires, values, behaviors, attitudes, relationships, and roles (Lumen Candela, n.d.). These expressions manifest themselves in many ways not limited to physical, biological, and emotional means. But similarly exhibited in sociocultural ways which relate to the influence the society has on one's sexuality (Nadal et al., 2015). There is raging debate over the real determinants of human sexuality. While some scholars hold to the view that sexual behavior exhibited results from an individual's genetic make-up, others, however, assert that the environment is mostly to blame for one's sexual behavior. Human sexuality is impacted and impacts the cultural, legal, political, philosophical tenets of life. Therefore, human sexuality interacts with ethical, moral, spiritual, and religious issues.
Sexuality across Various Cultures
Throughout ages and places, a vast majority of humans participate in sexual relationships. However, each society interprets and defines sexual activity and sexuality in a variety of ways. Human sexuality is understood as an intrinsic aspect of their social being and overseen by implied behavioral rules and status quo (Lumen Candela, n.d.). A society's sociocultural context,-including all the cultural and social aspects, ranging from religion and politics to the media- creates social values and also stresses the importance of conforming to the set values. Such norms dictate the acceptable and the unacceptable ways of conducting oneself in regards to sexual behavior based on society specific values.
Besides, various cultures differ in regards to societal values and norms, which entails how they perceive and understand the subject of sexuality, ultimate sexual, artistic expression of beauty, understanding the relationship between sexuality and gender, interpretation, and judgment of specific sexual behaviors (Nadal et al., 2015). For example homosexuality, premarital sex, masturbation, and the legal age for sexual consent. Societies that highly value monogamy are most likely to oppose any extramarital sex. People from such communities are acclimatized to such moral values-right from when they are very young- through the family, peers, education system, religion and media.
Therefore, a society views sexuality based on the influences of the philosophy of religion, however, these aspects change with the evolution of societies throughout the ages. Historically, religion has played the most significant role in influencing sexual behavior, but in the recent times with the emerging social media, peers play the most active roles particularly among teenagers in changing sexual practices.
Sexuality through the Ages
Sexuality has been a critical aspect of the human existence from time immemorial. History indicates a significant rise in the collective regulation of sexual behavior as agricultural societies developed (Seidman, Fischer & Meeks, 2016). Perhaps, this was due to the population explosion that gave rise to growth and development of urban centers. Such supervisory activities placed particular focus on regulating sexual behaviors and sexuality. As patriarchal societies developed more stringent sexuality rule and norms emerged, mainly focusing on controlling the female sexuality and sexual possessiveness. The manner in which females and males could express their sexuality significantly differed. However, men wielded more sexual freedoms and powers compared to women. On the other hand, different cultures established divergent approaches when it comes to gender.
With the advent of industrial revolution, many transformations touching on sexual principles occurred. Groundbreaking artificial techniques of birth control emerged that spontaneously led to significant changes in sexual behaviors. Social movements experienced in the last half of the 20th century, for example, the sexual revolution, feminism, and the advancement of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender rights and awareness helped shape massive transformations on how society views of sexuality (Seidman et al., 2016). Researchers such as Alfred Kinsey through the Kinsey Research Institutes played a pivotal role in influencing significant attitudes concerning the topic of sex and sexuality in the modern history.
Sexuality in the Contemporary World
Most world’s major religions have come up with ways or moral codes which aim at guiding people’s sexual practices and activities (Seidman et al., 2016). Religious influence on sexuality is apparent in many countries mainly owing to the long-standing debate on the gay marriage issues. In some doctrines, sex is a sacred activity that should only take place between a man and a woman within the confines of marriage. Whereas, some religions see some kinds of sexual activities as somewhat sinful or shameful. Such doctrines suggest that sexual activity should only take place for procreation. Many religions tend to emphasize on controlling people's sexual desire and drive, or even dictate the conditions and times in which the activity should be expressed. The debate on whether to engage in premarital sex, birth control usage, polygamy, or even the practice of abortion still rages within the religious circles.
Besides, mass media coming in the form of magazines, television, music, and social media continue to shape what people deem as the acceptable sexual behaviors and sexuality (Marcus, 2017). Such messages touch on almost every aspect of life ranging from ideal image to products that boost sexual appeal among people. Further, the media perpetuates a myriad of social; scripts concerning the sexual roles of women and men and the sexual relations. Most of these messages have been known to both empower and present problematic effects on individuals, especially women as they develop sexual attitudes and identities.
Conclusion
In summary, even though we may boast of living in an era of freedom of expression. A considerable number of people still believe that premarital and extramarital affairs are not right (Marcus, 2017). Further, compounding the fact that even though people engage in such deviant sexual behaviors, deep down they know it is wrong.
References
Lumen Candela. (n.d.). Sexuality | Boundless Psychology. Retrieved from https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-psychology/chapter/sexuality/
Marcus, S. (2017). The other Victorians: A study of sexuality and pornography in mid-nineteenth-century England. Routledge.
Nadal, K. L., Davidoff, K. C., Davis, L. S., Wong, Y., Marshall, D., & McKenzie, V. (2015). A qualitative approach to intersectional microaggressions: Understanding influences of race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and religion. Qualitative Psychology, 2(2), 147.
Seidman, S., Fischer, N. L., & Meeks, C. (2016). The social construction of sexuality. In Introducing the New Sexuality Studies (pp. 59-66). Routledge.
