CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS PERSPECTIVES ON SEXUALITY CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES Today we will share a few myths as a class.

SEXUAL MYTHOLOGY: STORKS AND CABBAGE PATCHES

What myths were you told about sex, babies, people, homosexuality, , etc.? CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES

SEXUAL MYTHOLOGY: STORKS AND CABBAGE PATCHES Most cultures have sexual myths: • To explain to young children “where babies come from” • What “daddy and mommy were doing” • When it is too awkward to tell kids the truth • To scare kids away from activities deemed inappropriate or sinful - such as masturbation • Kids come up with their own explanations by piecing together what they have heard and observed. Each person’s current thinking on sexuality is a product of many things:

• Family values and upbringing • Religious views • Cultural norms • Peer pressures • Exposure to other thought processes Cross-Cultural Perspectives Islamic Middle East • Based on beliefs of Muhammad • Belief that marital sex should be enjoyed by both sexes • Women viewed as inherently more sexual than men (this power contained by veils, segregation, female circumcision) • Up to 4 wives allowed (polygamy) • Oppression of women and many sexually related restrictions stem from patriarchal cultural traditions and fundamentalist sects, not always from religion and the teaching of the Qur’an Dr. Heba Kotb, the first licensed sexologist in Egypt, is host of a sexual advice show in Egypt, The Very Big Talk. She bases her teachings on the Qur’an, encouraging a strong sexual relationship between husband and wife. She does not discuss topics that are prohibited by Islam, including sex outside of marriage, anal sex, or sex during . Cross-Cultural Perspectives China • Ancient China – Produced the earliest known sex manuals (2500BCE)

– Under Taoism (200BCE – 1000CE) sexual activity was promoted for spiritual growth and harmony – The sexual connection of men and women was believed to join the opposing forces of yin (female) and yang (male) Liu Dalin, sexologist and curator of the China Sex Museum in Shanghai, shows snuff bottles with erotic designs dating back to the late Qing Dynasty (late 19th century). Shanghai is rediscovering its uninhibited past thanks to more than a decade of growth and liberalization. Qing Dynasty (late 19th century, 1850’s – 1890’s) Cross-Cultural Perspectives China • Sexual conservatism with communist rule (1949) under Chairman Mao – Lack of basic information about sexuality – Sex outside of marriage and frequent sex within marriage discouraged – Almost no STDs Cross-Cultural Perspectives China Current trends • Increasing rates of premarital sex • Increasing rates of HIV infection • Increasing rates of prostitution use • Slightly more open to homosexuality • Still lack sexual knowledge and safe-sex skills

Younger Chinese in larger cities have embraced Western styles. punk rock guitarist Li Li, age 20, talks with his girlfriend outside the Zai Hui club in west Beijing, China.

p9 Cross-Cultural Perspectives India

Tantric temples at Khajuraj(h)o, India depict erotic acts, c. 1000 CE Written between 1st - 6th century. 36 chapters, only 10 on sex acts Kama = desire One of the “four main goals of life” in Indian philosophy: Dharma = virtuous living Artha = prosperity Moksha = liberation The colonial era produced a more prudent culture.

Modern times are showing a slow return to sexual acceptance.

richard gere kissing- shilpa-shetty Gere kiss sparks India protests Some demonstrators called Gere's embrace of Shetty "vulgar" Actor Richard Gere has sparked protests in India after kissing Celebrity Big Brother winner Shilpa Shetty at an

Aids awareness rally in New Delhi. 16 April 2007 Demonstrators in Mumbai (Bombay) set light to effigies of the Hollywood star, while protesters in other cities shouted "death to Shilpa Shetty". The protesters said Gere insulted Indian culture by kissing the hand and face of the Bollywood actress. Public displays of affection and sex are still largely taboo in India. MANGAIA Island in the South Pacific Sex for pleasure, as well as procreation Children are taught sex Sexual skill and Lots of sex No STI’s, Until Cook

Modern dancers

Environment In Mangaia girls are raised and encouraged to sleep with multiple partners. The usual expectation is for a girl to have 3 or 4 boyfriends from the time she is 13 until she is 20. Every woman is taught at a young age how to achieve an . Males on the other hand are taught at a young age how to bring a female to an orgasm through oral sex. At 13 when a boy has had his training and been told how to do things he is then given a sexual partner that is an older and experienced woman. This woman teaches the boy various sexual positions and techniques to slow down the arrival of his orgasm until the woman is able to reach her orgasm first Inis Beag, , Inis Oirr Island off coast of Naïve and sexually repressed Little sex 1960’s

Modern images

Environment Inis Beag had no formal , and was treated by both sexes as a necessary evil which must be endured for the sake of reproduction. Phenomena such as menstruation and menopause were regarded with fear and disgust. Breast-feeding was avoided. Not only was premarital sex almost non- existent, but kissing, caressing, and any affection was seen as too sexual and was therefore prohibited. Nudity was extremely private, to the extent that even a married couple conducted intercourse in the dark and fully clothed, except for genitals. Sex was also practiced only in the missionary position. Any variation of sex was seen as deviant and sinful. CROSS-CULTURAL PERSPECTIVES Similarities and differences: All societies regulate sexual behavior, and have gender roles, but the rules and the roles vary.

Peru

America

India New Guinea

Women as caregivers and men as warriors is a common theme. ETHNOCENTRISM

The power of words… and cultural prejudices ETHNOCENTRISM: “My way is the only natural or right way.” The General U.S. Cultural Legacy Two Themes

• Sex only for procreation, if then…

• Rigid male and female gender roles Cultural Legacy • Sex for procreation – Non-procreative sex as sinful • Birth control • Masturbation • Oral/anal sex (illegal in 10 states until ’03) • Same sex partners “Birth control leads to a state of mind that treats sexual activity as if it has nothing to do with procreation. Sexual activity becomes a recreational activity, birth control become a recreational drug and babies become ’accidents’ or burdens to be eliminated” (American Life League, 2011a, p. 1)

– Definition of sex and intercourse used synonymously Cultural Legacy

• Sex for procreation – Definition of sex and intercourse used synonymously • “80% of college students did not think that they ‘had sex’ if they experienced only oral sex” (Hans et al., 2010) • Bill Clinton http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBe_guezGGc

• Limits “sex” to penis/vagina Cultural Legacy Two Themes • Sex for procreation • Rigid male and female gender roles Rigid gender-role conditioning can limit each person’s potential and can harm their sexuality. – Due to: • Biology – Men and women are different • Sociology – Society can shape and exaggerate differences – Ie. “men initiate sex” – Women are more sexually limited » An “experienced” man = “Stud” » An “experienced” woman = “Slut” SLUT MUFFIN The first “SlutWalk” in April 2011 in Toronto, Canada, a protest against a police officer’s comment that women should avoid dressing like sluts to avoid rape, became a worldwide movement of rallies.

As social gender equality increases so does sexual equality, women’s sexuality becomes less stigmatized. Cultural Legacy Two Themes

What importance do the historical themes of sex for procreation and male/female gender roles have today? Sexuality in the Western World • Ancient Hebrews Judeo-Christian Perspective – Gender roles highly specialized • Proverbs: Duties of a good wife: instruct servants, care for family, keep household accounts, obey spouse. • Women as property “livestock, wife, dwellings” – Sex within marriage a necessity…. And a pleasure….. • Genesis 1:28: be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth Song of Songs (Song of Solomon), The groom states: How fair is thy love …. my bride! How much better is thy love than wine! And the smell of thine ointments than all manner of spices! Thy lips, of my bride, drop honey- honey and milk are under thy tongue Sexuality in the Western World Judeo-Christian Perspective • Ancient Hebrews – Sex within marriage a necessity…. And a pleasure….. Song of Songs (Song of Solomon), The bride states:

I am my beloved’s and his desire is toward me. Come, my beloved, let us go forth into the field; Let us lodge in the villages… There will I give thee my love.

This was all pre-Roman Empire Sexuality in the Western World This was all pre-Roman Empire, late Roman empire saw Greek and Persian sexual entertainment influences. Sexuality in the Western World

Lots of rapes, pregnancies and STI’s Prior to ~18 BCE rape was not a criminal offense in Rome, just a civil matter enforced by the family. Early Christians separated from this by associating sex with sin. Sexuality in the Western World Judeo-Christian Perspective, Paul of Tarsus circa 50-60 CE “Apostle Paul”

• Christianity – Spirituality through celibacy • Paul of Tarsus, (Saul) died 66 CE, New Testament, • “Then each of you will control his own body and live in holiness and honor— not in lustful passion like the pagans who do not know God and his ways.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:4-5 • Tangent, “For the desire of money is the root of all evils; which some coveting have erred from the faith, and have entangled themselves in many sorrows” 1 Timothy 6:10 • Now, there remain faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthian Judeo-Christian Perspective, St. Augustine circa 400 CE • Christianity – Sex outside of marriage as sinful • “Marriages have this good also, that carnal or youthful incontinence, although it be faulty, is brought unto an honest use in the begetting of children, in order that out of the evil of lust the marriage union may bring to pass some good. Next, in that the lust of the flesh is repressed, and rages in a way more modestly, being tempered by parental affection. For there is interposed a certain gravity of glowing pleasure, when in that wherein husband and wife cleave to one another, they have in mind that they be father and mother.” • “For faithfulness, it is observed, that there be no lying with other man or woman, out of the bond of wedlock.” –St. Augustine ~ 354 - 430 CE Judeo-Christian Perspective, St. Augustine circa 400 CE • Christianity – Sex without procreation as sinful • “So if you can manage it, you shouldn’t touch your partner, except for the sake of having children.” • Lust as original sin • "What is the difference whether it is in a wife or a mother, it is still Eve the temptress that we must beware of in any woman...... I fail to see what use woman can be to man, if one excludes the function of bearing children." – 278:9:3. The works of Saint Augustine, John E. Rotelle, New City Press, 1994 “No wickedness comes anywhere near the wickedness of a woman… Sin began with a woman and thanks to her we all must die.” Ecclesiasticus 25: 19, 24 Judeo-Christian Perspective - Jesus

Jesus spoke little on sexuality specifically

The teachings of Jesus Christ emphasized love, compassion, and forgiveness. Death by stoning was the prescribed punishment for a woman who committed adultery, but Jesus admonished the men who had brought her to him for judgment: “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her” (John 8:7). after all the men left without throwing any stones, Jesus told the woman, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more” (John 8:11). Judeo-Christian Perspective - Christianity

• Christianity – Contradictory images of women emerged during the Middle Ages (500~1100 – 1453 CE) • Virgin Mary: compassionate, pure, & unattainable • Eve: evil temptress – Culminated in Witch Hunts of the 15th century, lasted 200 years – Witchcraft blamed on carnal lust – Accused of orgies with the devil THE “MADONNA/WHORE COMPLEX”

The Virgin Mary The Great Whore of Babylon MADONNA/WHORE COMPLEX

MADONNA Good girls, good sex

SEX IS MEANT FOR PROCREATION

WOMEN ARE MEANT TO BE MOTHERS

FEMALE GENDER ROLE Dutiful, obedient, chaste

VIRGIN PURITY Implication that sex is dirty MADONNA/WHORE COMPLEX WHORE Bad girls, bad sex SEX WITHOUT WANTING PROCREATION WOMEN BEING MORE THAN ONLY MOTHERS FEMALE GENDER ROLE Powerful, decision-making NOT A VIRGIN Implication that sex is fun

And upon her forehead was a name written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. Revelation 17:5 17 Nov 1558 – 24 March 1603 Ironically, ~ while Queen Elizabeth reigned over England, Europe executed around 100,000 women as “witches” Positive Shift in Thinking • Protestant reformation – beginning 1517 – Temporary, slight increase in respect for women, sex in marriage accepted. – Martin Luther – Lutheran and Protestant - Germany “There is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship, communion or company than a good marriage.” – John Calvin – Calvinism – Geneva • “….the institution of marriage, which, entered into under his authority, he has also sanctified with his blessing. Hence, it is evident, that any mode of cohabitation different from marriage is cursed in his sight, and that the conjugal relation was ordained as a necessary means of preventing us from giving way to unbridled lust.” Positive Shift in Thinking • Enlightenment; scientific rationalism – Value of sex in marriage goes beyond procreation

A Vindication of the Rights of Woman: with Strictures on Political and Moral Subjects (1792), Mary Wollstonecraft Positive Shift in Thinking • Enlightenment; scientific rationalism – Value of sex in marriage, goes beyond procreation

“It is time to effect a revolution in female manners - time to restore to them their lost dignity.”

“Strengthen the female mind by enlarging it, and there will be an end to blind obedience.”

These views did not prevail and expand Sexual Attitudes Victorian Era, Queen Victoria ruled 1837-1901

• Women’s role constrained; women as asexual • Emotional & physical distance between husband and wife • Men smoke, drink, joke, visit prostitutes…. • Women don’t Sexual Attitudes Victorian Era, Queen Victoria ruled 1837-1901

• In England, prostitution flourished ~ 1% of the population were prostitutes (USA, 2014 ~ 0.3%)

• Continued polarized view of women as Madonna or whore

• William Acton, MD, 1862, “The majority of women (happily for them) are not very much troubled with sexual feeling of any kind.” • Clelia Mosher, MD’s research from 1892-1940 contradicts prevailing view, ”Victorian women experienced sexual desire, enjoyed intercourse, and experienced orgasm.” 1789-1861, Slavery in the US.

The African’s approach to sexuality was less constrained. Slave owners in the US used Africans sexuality as a rationale for slavery, controlling the “oversexed heathens”, viewing the women as “whores” (Madonna:Whore) and the men as, “bucks” for breeding.

Slaves had no rights to physical privacy, protection from bodily harm, or reproductive autonomy. These attitudes prevail today 20th Century Sexuality

• The beginning of the 20th century – Freud: Sexuality is innate in both sexes – Havelock Ellis: All sex is healthy provided no one is harmed, 1920 Sigmund Freud Psychoanalysis – Van de Velde: Published marital sex manuals Circa 1900 – Suffrage movement • Women should attend universities/hold property/vote – 19th amendment gives women the right to vote, 1920 20th Century Sexuality The Roaring 20’s • The beginning of the 20th century – Automobiles – Movies

– Earn money without hard labor Sigmund Freud Psychoanalysis – Close dancing Circa 1900 – Kissing and petting (~sex play, not intercourse) • Still need to avoid pregnancy and maintain reputation

Film – The Great Gatsby 20th Century Sexuality Film – A League of Their Own • World War I (‘14-’18) & II (‘39 – ’45) – Gender roles were expanded & more flexible • Women worked in factories • Men met European women, also undergoing expanded roles • Penicillin (1942) was now available to treat STI’s – Postwar/depression era return to stricter roles – More research into and publication about sexual practices Alfred Kinsey, Sex Surveys, Circa 1940-1950

0 = exclusive contact with and “erotic attraction” to the other sex 6 = exclusive contact with and “erotic attraction” to the same sex X No socio- sexual contacts or reactions

Males 54-63% 11.6% 10% 8% Females 87% 11% 2-6% 1-3% http://www.kinseyinstitute.org/research/ak-data.html Chandra, 2011: “Any same sex contact” = men = 5.8%, women = 12% http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nhsr/nhsr036.pdf In an analysis of national survey results from 2006-2008, The percentage reporting their sexual identity as homosexual ranged from 2% to 4% of males, and about 1% to 2% of females. The percentage reporting their sexual identity as bisexual is between 1% and 3% of males, and 2% to 5% of females. (Chandra, Mosher, Copen, and Sionean 2011) About 4%–6% of males ever had same-sex contact. For females, the percentage who have ever had same-sex contact ranges from about 4% ... to 11%–12%. (Chandra, Mosher, Copen, and Sionean 2011) While about 7% of adult women and 8% of men identify as gay, lesbian or bisexual, the proportion of individuals in the U.S. who have had same-gender sexual interactions at some point in their lives is higher. (NSSHB, 2010) In a national survey, 90% of men aged 18-44 considered themselves to be heterosexual, 2.3% as homosexual, 1.8% as bisexual, and 3.9% as 'something else' (Mosher, Chandra, & Jones, 2005). Among women aged 18-44 in the same survey, 90% said they were heterosexual, 1.3% homosexual, 2.8% bisexual, and 3.8% as 'something else' (Mosher, Chandra, & Jones, 2005). The incidence rate of homosexual desire for men is 7.7% and 7.5% for women (Laumann, Gagnon, Michael, Michaels, 1994). 6.2% of men and 4.4% of women are attracted to people of the same sex (Laumann, Gagnon, Michael, Michaels, 1994). 4% of men and 2% of women consider themselves homosexual while 5% of men and 3% of women consider themselves bisexual (Janus & Janus, 1993). 88.2% of adolescent youths as a Minnesota junior/senior high school described himself or herself as heterosexual, while 1.1% described himself or herself as bisexual or homosexual, and 10.7% were not sure of their sexual orientation (Remafedi, 1992). http://www.kinseyinstitute.org/resources/FAQ.html#chandra2011 20th Century Sexuality

• The 1960s and 1970s – The “sexual revolution” • Women worked more outside the home, had own money • Contraception becomes available: – 1961, oral contraception, “the pill” is available – Followed by IUD, morning after, spermicides – 1965, made legal in all states for married couples – 1972, legal for singles – 1973, abortion is legal

Mad Men 20th Century Sexuality

The 1960s and 1970s • The “sexual revolution”, in books – 1966, Masters and Johnson, “Human Sexual Response” – 1971, 12 authors, “Our Bodies, Ourselves”, still in publication – 1972, M&J, “Human Sexual Inadequacy” – 1972, Comfort, “Joy of Sex” – 1975, Barbach, “For Yourself;The Fulfilment of Female Sexuality” 20th Century Sexuality

• The 1960s and 1970s – Attitudes begin to change toward homosexuality • Gays and lesbians become more open • 1973, APA, “homosexuality not a mental disorder” American Psychiatric Association • 1980s and 1990s – 1981, AIDS arrives in the US for the second time (First time maybe late 50’s, 16 year old male showed AIDS symptoms in 1966, died in 1969) • Brought “Gay” into the public spotlight, for better or worse • 1990s, homosexual characters in media • 1997, Ellen DeGeneres “comes out” on her own show The Media and Sexuality

How have mass media reflected and influenced sexual norms?

What elements are unique to sexuality on the Internet compared with other mass media? The Media and Sexuality The Kiss, 1896, first cinema kiss, reenactment from the final scene of the stage musical, The Widow Jones.

The film caused a scandalized uproar and occasioned disapproving newspaper editorials and calls for police action in many places where it was shown. One contemporary critic wrote: "The spectacle of the prolonged pasturing on each other's lips was beastly enough in life size on the stage but magnified to gargantuan proportions and repeated three times over it is absolutely disgusting."

The Edison catalogue advertised it thus: "They get ready to kiss, begin to kiss, and kiss and kiss and kiss in a way that brings down the house every time." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwEgyOxCXJY The Media and Sexuality • Television – Increased access to sexual material • Percentage of shows with sexual content – 70% contain sexual content – 45% contain sexual behavior – 1998 1:4-sex between young people – 2008 1:10-sex between young people – Cable TV and music videos – Determining of social norms – Video games • Advertising • Magazines Sexual Taboos and Television The Media and Sexuality • Television – for education – News, advice, and educational programs • 1986 Oprah Winfrey • Loveline • Shows with more negative consequences of sex leads to negative pre-marital sex attitudes • With safe sex messages lead to safe sex activities • 1998 14% of TV shows presented downside of sex • 2005 27% showed risks and responsibilities of sex – More in teen shows

Cyberspace and Sexuality • 2 billion Internet users worldwide – Google search, “sex” = 1,870,000,000 results • 80% of people obtain health information from Internet – Google search, “condom” = 58,100,000 results • Source of sexual expression – Google search, “sex chat” = 93,800,000 results • MySpace, Facebook, Twitter, Skype • Availability on handheld devices: PDAs, iPods, cell phones Sexuality Where the Personal is Political

• Impact of social norms • Freedoms and responsibilities today • Controversies facing human sexuality

How can something as personal as sex be political?

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