Today sexuality is frankly discussed and investigated in books, magazines, newspapers, television and other media. Most people including the young generation believe that this issue should not be treated as a joke or a casual satisfaction of a physical need. Denial of its importance is disrespectful to human sensitivity and warmth.
Since the end of the Second World War, in mid 1950's many people supported the idea that society should be more open to sexual feelings and desires as this liberates people from extreme fears and unreasonable stigmas. But in order to do so, defenders of the so called 'sexual revolution' claim that sex and ethics do not mix. Ethics is considered to impinge the rights and freedoms of an individual. According to this amoral concept of sexuality:
- the individual should be allowed to decide about the matter and society or the institution should not interfere
- traditional virtues of self-control and discipline should no longer be considered
- anything is permissible between consenting adults in private
Before discussing moral issues regarding sexuality one must understand what sexuality really means. While sexuality should not be reduced to a number of dos and don'ts, it is widely accepted that ethics and sexuality should walk hand in hand because human sexuality is different from animal sexuality which is solely based on instincts. Because of this many school boards, in many countries are integrating moral values with sex education. With the use of reason and instincts, humans give a more meaningful definition to sexuality than a mere biological one. For humans, sexuality is a communication language where one shows ones love for the other partner. This gives human sexuality a more complex aspect than one based solely on physical activities.
The biological aspect of sexuality, which is at the physical level of this widely discussed issue, is itself divided into two main categories, procreation and sex for fun.Procreation means that the purpose of sex is to have children. However it would be an extreme view point if one were to limit sex only to reproduction. On the other hand it would be purely hedonistic and extreme to limit sex to sensuality, that is, physical pleasure. History has shown that humans communicate in a deeper way than just body expressions. A meaningful theory of human sexuality is not only tied to the bodily level as put forth by physicalists but relates sexuality to every level of human existence.
Human Sexuality as Communicative Action
For many years sex was only seen in the context of marriage as a possibility for procreation. This was a genital and generative outlook on sexuality which ridiculously assumed that singles, celibates, widows, widowers and handicapped were not sexual beings. In fact, genitality is only one dimension of human sexuality.
Experience and practice of human behaviour has lead to a broader outlook of sexuality. Sigmund Freud proved that sexuality plays a crucial role in the functioning of the personality as a whole. From the twenties onwards sex came to be seen as a force that influences every act of a person's being at every moment of his life and is not restricted to any particular area but is found at the centre of one's life. All human relationships are somewhat sexual. From sex one attains the biological, psychological and spiritual characteristicswhich lead to maturity and the insertion of self into society. The more we move away from physicalism in our approach to sexuality, the more we become aware of the way it affects our lives. It also helps us to understand ourselves and others. Our human sexuality in fact deepens and enriches our human relationships. This occurs especially in marriage BUT IS NOT RESTRICTED TO IT.
Human sexuality has to do with both the physiological and the psychological aspects of the human being and both aspects play their part when a person falls in love. Hence when people act as loving beings they are acting as sexual beings even though they are not genitally involved. In a relationship with his loved ones a human considers intimacy,acceptance and security as more powerful needs than genital sex. After this realisation the need to express one self physically becomes less of a priority, more manageable and not the most important thing in the relationship.
Sexuality as a challenge to creative and integrative growth
The human is born as a sexual being without choice. One should however accept sexuality responsibly so as to be able to control this instinct. Sexuality is a characteristic of human growth which requires one to build relationships with others. It is an integral part of our self expression and communication. For the building of such relationships the human has to:
- be creative
- open oneself to others
- realise one's potential in order to discover oneself
Procreation is one form of creativity but not the only form of self expression. If human sexuality is taken only in its pure genital, physical sense, it might become destructive resulting in personal frustration, alienation and manipulation. Therefore sexuality should urge people involve themselves in relationships with others in order to achieve personal fulfilment.
