Perspectives on Sexuality (continued)

1. Perspectives on Sexuality (continued) Chapter 1 Lecture #2 Psyc 1633

2. Recap • Why people study sexuality • The Psychosocial Orientation of the Text and how it differs from Sociobiology • The two themes that the authors of our text oppose: • The “sex for reproduction legacy” • distinction between gender roles

3. Historical Background - Hebrews and Rome Ancient Hebrews: • encouraged to be “fruitful and multiply” to preserve the culture • sexuality within marriage was considered ok Roman Empire: • sexual excess

4. Historical Background - Christianity reaction to Roman excess • Christ’s own views on sexuality were unclear • Paul of Tarsus: denounced “desires of the flesh” • celibacy was superior to marriage • Augustine: lust was the original sin • intercourse within marriage if it was for procreation • Thomas Aquinas: sexual organs designed for procreation • any other use was a sin

5. History - Protestant and Eastern Traditions Protestant Reformation: • sex within marriage for purposes other than reproduction • Martin Luther, John Calvin and Puritans Eastern and Mideastern Traditions: • China – Taoism: sex - spiritual growth and harmony • India – Hinduism: sexual pleasure is on path to spiritual fulfillment • Islam: opposition to celibacy • intercourse before marriage is not allowed • polygyny and concubinage allowed

6. Historical Background - Industrial Age • better methods of contraception allow for sex without reproduction • economic and ecological concerns about large families • advances in fertility methods can now allow for reproduction without sex

7. Gender Role Legacy Ancient Hebrews: • women - obedient housekeepers and bearers of children Christianity: • reaffirmation of women as submissive Middle Ages: • Two contradictory views: • Virgin Mary (the Madonna): • Eve (the whore): evil temptress

8. Gender Role Legacy (cont.) Protestant Reformation: • “The Enlightenment”: short period of women’s rights • Mary Wollstonecraft Victorian Era: • Women - “ladylike and delicate”, not troubled with sexual feelings of any kind • Men were restricted to sex within marriage, prostitution flourished

9. Gender Role Legacy (#3) 20th Century: • suffrage movement • World War II brought change in roles • Postwar return to stricter roles • 1960’s movement for gender equality

10. Social Norms • all societies regulate sexual behavior • norms or rules vary across cultures

11. Diversity - China and Islamic Countries China: • highly restrictive prior to the 1990’s • lack of information about sex • currently: more sex in media, increasing divorce, STD’s and non-marital sex Islamic Middle East: • sex is to be enjoyed by both sexes • women much more sexual than men • marriages are arranged – male heir • female adulterers and male homosexuals

12. Diversity - Sweden and U.S. Sweden: • open, relaxed attitudes • equality for men and women • government sposored sex education, family planning, legalized abortion, long parental leave • low rates of teen pregnancy • high rates of cohabitation Diversity within the U.S.: • many different cultures and many different responses to sexuality • within each group, socioeconomic status and education are major influences on sexual attitudes and behaviors

13. For Next Class • Read Chapter 2 • I’ll make group assignments – you can look for them on the web (class news) • Have a great weekend!