A passionate subject, a cultural and universal practice, a part of the human nature and a divine attribute bestowed upon man by his creator. No culture is superior to another when it comes to sexuality, its acts is everywhere. It doesn’t change the face of any culture or change modernity from moving forward. Sexuality, sexual harassments, sexual dimorphism, sexual orientation, sexual intercourse, gays, lesbians, sexual preferences, sexual rights, sexual selection, sex appeal, being sexy, an endless list of each phrase, briefly coming with one source word; Sex. Sex has been a necessity, even though it is hardly ever discussed. In time past, in every part of the globe, there has always been a universal acknowledgements of the act “SEX”.
Socially, it is an act a man and woman (wife/wives) engaged in after fulfilling the appropriate marriage rites. Politically, in ancient history and in present times, it was and still is the ultimate weapon of seduction that gave/gives most of our prominent women power over their male opponents. Over the years, sexual activities have grown to affect our lifestyles and perspectives (life views) to a great extend.
In distinct parts of the world, the concept of sexual expressions and identities took diverse forms. The forms cut across beliefs, religions, perceptions, moral standard and even politics. However, certain things were settled for. According to N.M Heckel, in medieval times,
“Sex was measured, as it is now, to be a normal and natural part of life. Most authorities agreed that it was not intrinsically sinful because God would not have made such a necessary activity to be a taboo (without sex one cannot have children and fulfil the commandment to "increase and multiply, and repleni...
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Hoeksema, S. Inclusive Sex Education Needed in African Schools. 11th Nov 2011, 24th April 2012. Web. < http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=49219>
Heckel, N. Sex Society and Medeival Women. 24th April 2012. Web. http://www.lib.rochester.edu/camelot/medsex/text.htm
Meston, C, Ahrold, T. Ehtnic, Gender and Acculturation influences on Sexual Behaviours. DOI 10.1007. 2008. Print.
Mirrer, L. Women Jews and Muslims in the texts of Reconquest Castile. University of Michigan press. Michigan. 1996. Print.
Neary, L. Homosexuality in Africa is Still a Taboo. 22nd February 2010. 26th April 2012. Web.
AUN students. Personal Interview. 14-14th April 2012.
Wikipedia. Premarital Sex. 24th April 2012. Web.
Since the dawn of man, sex has played a crucial role in society. Before they learned to read or write humans were engaging in sex and without it none of us would be here. In today’s society, sex has grown to become much more complicated. If I were to ask a group of people on the street what they believed sex was? I bet they would have a hard time answering. The question puzzling society today is how do we define sex? Can we define sex? These are questions raised in Tracy Steele’s article “Doing it: The Social Construction of S-E-X”. This article is about the current questions and issues that have been raised about sex within today’s society. In this paper I will summarize the key points of the article, while sharing my own thoughts and opinions of Steele’s findings.
In the article “An Anthropological Look at Human Sexuality” the authors, Patrick Gray and Linda Wolfe speak about how societies look at human sexuality. The core concept of anthology is the idea of culture, the systems of attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors people acquire as a member of society. The authors give an in depth analysis on how human sexuality is looked at in all different situations.
Most religions of the world address moral issues that arise from people's sexuality within the human interactions. “Sex and religion- two of the most powerful, passionate, and poetic aspects of human existence”( “Manning and Zuckerman pg. 1“). There are many distinct religious beliefs about the complexion of sexuality and the appropriateness of various sexual behaviors. “Some religious (or aspects within them) can be described as comparatively “sex positive”. By “sex positive“, we mean that sensual, erotic activity involving the consensual pursuit and / or actualization of gratifying bodily pleasure is understood as natural and acceptable , even holy. Conversely, some religions (or aspects within them) can be described as “sex negative”, that is, sensual, erotic activity involving the consensual pursuit and / or actualization of gratifying bodily pleasure is understood as unnatural and unacceptable, even sinful” ( “Manning and Zuckerman pg. 2“).
Our ancestors have practiced sex since the beginning of our civilization. Sex is not a bad thing nor is it a good thing when one thinks about sex all the time. It is best to have intercourse with those whom one feels the most affection to. Taboos regarding sexual affection have diminished throughout time. It was unimaginable to see lesbians and homosexuals announce their love to one another in public. There are religions that define masturbation as a dreadful act, but it only shows how disconnected certain religions are from society as well as presidents enjoying oral sex, rather than regular intercourse. Societies now have the liberty to choose their partner even if, they are the same gender as well as express their love to one another publicly. We know have the freedom to explore our carnal desires freely, inclusively in the military. Humans need for sexual affection has gone to such extremes in needing animals to fulfill their erotic desires. In the remote past, there is evidence showing humans engaging in sexual activities with large creatures as well as Greek urns, showing men h...
White, Valerie. "Sex talk." The Humanist Sept.-Oct. 2012: 5. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 18 Mar. 2014.
Throughout most of documented history women of all cultures and civilizations have lived under patriarchal circumstances. In almost every religion and civilization women's status was not equal to that of a man's. Women in most cultures are looked at as subservient, obedient creatures that were put on this world for very few reasons, mainly to bear children and do what their husbands require of them. In fact, religions are a big part of the reason of this oppression due to the religion's reinforcement and justification of patriarchal conditions. In this week's selected readings from different aspects of Islamic, Byzantine Christian, and Western Christian cultures, it is very apparent as to how these three religions did reinforce and justify the patriarchal conditions in which women were struggling to live in. Also, by reading the selections one can see how different religions could make a difference for women and how they lived their lives.
Milstein, Susan A. Taking Sides Clashing Views in Human Sexuality. Ed. William J. Taverner and Ryan W. McKee. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2009. Print.
In his paper which is called Is There A History of Sexuality, Halperin drew a distinction between the topics of sexuality and of sex. He claimed that the two concepts are separate ideas. In Halperin's view, sex is a natural function that has not changed in many years, if ever at all. He says that sex “is a natural fact, grounded in the functioning of the body, and as such, it lies outside of history and culture” (Halperin 416). This means that sex cannot be measured in historical thought, for it has not changed since the beginning of time. As a natural function, it will continue to exist without the influence of culture, for it has always existed inside of the natural body. Sexuality, on the other hand, is a completely different issue to be considered. Sexuality is a socially created phenomenon, or as Halperin says, “sexuality is not a somatic fact, it is a cultural effect” (Halperin 416). This means that sexuality is entirely dependant upon the social world because it is created by the social world. Halperin argues against the prevailing concept that our sexual activities make any statements about our sexuality in and of itself. Halperin claims that “one of the currently unquestioned assumptions about sexual experience which the study of antiquity calls into question is the assumption that sexual behavior reflects or expresses an individual's 'sexuality'” (Halperin 417). With this statement, Halperin raises the issue of what exactly a sexuality is, and how it can be defined. Specifically, Halperin is saying that the modern concept of sexuality can not be applied to the supposed sexualities expressed...
It is therefore important to highlight the difference between the Fa’afafine and the western concept of homosexuals. In other parts of the world,
Looking at our past, there have been dramatic changes in the way humans view sex. Long before the 1900s individuals framed their views based on the religious institution. Due to the fact that they strongly centered their idea of sexual thought on religion, they believed that the only purpose of having sex was to procreate. As the 1920’s approached, there were various factors that changed the way individuals viewed sex. The “new women” known, as flappers were women who were confident in who they were. They changed their attire as well as their social attitude. In the 1920s, the flappers redefined sex; customs and traditions were broken and new norms were created by society.
The beginning of this short research essay began with the author explaining what the essay will be about. This essay primarily focuses on the differences and similarities of sexuality between men, women, gays, and lesbians. It also focuses on time, because throughout time, human sexuality has changed. New scientific evidence has also helped give new insight to the human mind and their most basic needs.
THERE’s much more to sex than the genitals, seeing someone bare or even the most common goal of sex – an orgasm. Sex experts will tell you that sex is intimacy; it is opening yourselves to spiritual mingling, exposing and exploring your sexual desires. But these are sometimes hindered by social constructions of sexual behaviour – the taboos, the myths and misinformation can sometimes make something as natural as sex very complex.
There are several theorists that have presented models on sexual identity development. Many of the models have stages of sexual identity development suggesting that certain characteristics are present during a specific period. However, Anthony D’Augelli presents a model that suggests processes rather than stages. These processes take place over the span of one’s life and not necessarily in any specific order or fashion. D’Augelli’s (1994a) life span model of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) identity development takes into account “the complex factors that influence the development of people in context over historical time” (Evans et al, 2010). According to D’Augelli’s (1994) theory, identity formation includes three sets of interrelated variables that are involved in identity formation: personal actions and subjectivities, interactive intimacies, and sociohistorical connections. Personal subjectivities and actions include individuals’ perceptions and feelings about their sexual identities as well as actual sexual behaviors and the meanings attached to them. Interactive intimacies include the influences of family, peer group, and intimate partnerships and the meanings attached to experiences with significant others. Sociohistorical connections are defined as the social norms, policies and laws found in various geographical locations and cultures, as well as the values existing during particular historical periods (Evans et al, 2010).
... decades ago. This book is one that will allow the reader to view many aspects of sexuality from a social standpoint, and apply it to certain social attitudes in our society today, these attitudes can range from the acceptance of lesbian and gays, and the common sight of sex before marriage and women equality. The new era of sexuality has taken a definite "transformation" as Giddens puts it, and as a society we are living in the world of change in which we must adapt, by accepting our society as a changing society, and not be naive and think all the rules of sexuality from our parents time our still in existence now.
There is constantly cessation why women and men cohabitate, nurture, desire, and endure. Many shrug the similarities and differences to the side due to the complex nature that is involved in understanding the progression. Since the beginning of time, according to the bible, man was placed as the dominant sex, fending for the families well being. The woman has tended to the important jobs around the homestead as situations arose. Often in society, one will find himself in a battle depending on the views of the receiving recipients. Following is a dialogue explaining a safe and metro sexual view as a general whole.