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Sexuality)
- This article is about the issues and phenomena pertaining to human sexual function and behavior. For information about sexual activities and practices, see the article human sexual behavior. For information on animal sexuality see Non-human animal sexuality
Human sexuality refers to the expression of sexual sensation and related intimacy between human beings, as well as the expression of identity through sex and as influenced by or based on sex. There are a great many forms of human sexuality. The sexuality of human beings comprises a broad range of behavior and processes, including the physiological, psychological, social, cultural, political, and spiritual or religious aspects of sex and human sexual behavior. Philosophy, particularly ethics and the study of morality, as well as theology, also address the subject. In almost any historical era or culture, the arts, including literary and visual arts, as well as popular culture, present a substantial portion of a given society's views on sexuality. In most societies and legal jurisdictions, there are legal bounds on what sexual behavior is permitted. Sexuality varies across the cultures and regions of the world, and has continually changed throughout history.
A large variety of books, educational websites, and local education/support/social organizations exist for various forms of sexuality.
Scope of human sexuality
The term human sexuality covers a very wide range including:
- The physiology (or actual biology) of human sexuality, and sexually related aspects of how the body works.
- Who and what others, people interact or are attracted to, sexually. (Sexual orientation)
- How we see ourselves, which may differ from the phsyical form we have, ie, personal identity. (Intersex, transsexual)
- How we come to choose the sexual choices we make. (Environment, choice, and sexual orientation)
- How humans act in seeking sexual activity, and with sexual partners, and the scope of sexually oriented behaviours. (Human sexual behavior)
- The psychological significance of sex, which may be related to its emotional effects, its physiological effects, or tied up with other psychological aspects, such as power, control, or the need for security.
- Sex and its relationship to social structure, thus sex within marriage, religion, morality and the law.
- Arts and media depiction of sexuality.
- Sex education
- Social norms, traditions and rituals related to sexuality
- Understanding of sexual activity outside those norms. (see Paraphilia)
- How society judges where lines are to be drawn, what constitutes unacceptable conduct, who is vulnerable to its abuse, and how they are protected or violators dealt with.
- Research into human sexuality. (such as the Kinsey Reports)
Physiological aspects
Human sexuality can be influenced by hormonal changes in the development of the fetus during pregnancy. Many claim its manner of expression is largely due to genetic predisposition. Others say it is due to one's own personal experimentation in early life, and thus the establishment of preferences. A less divisive approach recognises that both factors may have a mutual role to play. Human physiology and gender makes certain forms of sexual expression possible.
Social aspects
Human sexuality can also be understood as part of the social life of humans, governed by implied rules of behavior and the status quo. Thus, it is claimed, sexuality influences social norms and society in turn influences the manner in which sexuality can be expressed. Since the invention of the mass media, things such as movies and advertising have given sexuality even more ability to shape the environments in which we live. Some see sexuality as distilled (often into stereotypes) and then repeatedly expressed in commercialized forms.
Gender identity is an aspect of human sexuality that can be affected by one's social environment, and differerent social environments can have specific attributes they associate with each sex, such as certain types of dress, colors, behaviors. A common example in western media could be the portrayal of a little boy in blue shorts and a white T-shirt playing with a toy truck, while a girl is shown in a pink dress playing with a doll.
Society and politics
Sex education
Sex education is the component of education, typically pre-university/college level, which involves instruction in the health aspects of sexual functions, behavior, and hygiene. All, or nearly all, governments and societies today advocate some degree of sex education. In most educational systems, it reflects the dominant views on sexual behavior, typically attempting to achieve some kind of compliance with the policies of the educational authority, such as the use or non-use of contraception or views on non-marital/pre-marital intercourse.
Some less popular approaches to sexual education focus on abstinence before marriage. Such courses demonstrate the dangers of diseases or teen pregnancy. Most of these courses can be summed up by the idea that if they tell a teenager not to have sex, it might be effective. However, just in case, they will teach them how to use a condom anyway.
Cultural and psychiatric aspects
Human sexual behavior in most individuals is typically influenced, if not largely determined, by norms from the culture in which the individual lives. Examples of such norms are prohibitions on sexual intercourse before marriage, or against anal intercourse, or other activities, because the religion to which the individual's culture adheres forbids such activities.
Those who wish to express a dissident sexuality often form sub-cultures within the main culture. In many cases, forms of sexuality may develop into a fetish or develop into a psychiatric disorder (paraphilia). Paraphilias can also result from childhood abuse or mistreatment.
Documentary Films
- Filming Desire: A Journey Through Women's Film, A film by Marie Mandy, 2000
- "New Sex Now: Life's Ultimate Pleasure" (2002, New Sex Institute)
Study of sexuality
In contemporary academia, sexuality is studied in the field of gender and sexuality studies, among many other fields.
Topics in human sexuality
Also compare: Non-human animal sexuality
External links
