Different Social and Cultural Views
of Human Sexuality
Crystal L Featherstone
Grand Canyon University: PCN-530
January 31, 2018
Introduction
This subject of human sexuality has
been a topic of conversation and not a topic of conversation throughout the
time dating back to when no written word existed. When most of the population
in history could not read pictures and statues were used to show what different
cultures thought about human sexuality. Looking at how the Greeks in ancient
times viewed human sexuality is a stark contrast to modern western culture
views and directly against early Romans. Contemporary cultural perspectives on
human sexuality has become a political staff to waive for politicians to win a
seat in the political arena. Religion has been the biggest negative motivator
when it comes to education on human sexuality and researchers of human
sexuality has become the beacon of understanding human sexuality.
Historical
Perspectives the Greeks/Romans
The Greeks had a rather different
view when it came to what was appropriate sexually and how it was perceived. The
roles played by women and children are somewhat shocking compared to todays sexual
roles of the same people. Rich wealthy men of stature in the community would
insert their penis between young boy’s thigh’s and pump them until they came.
The boys were usually offered up by their parents. This was normal behavior for
the ancient Greece and is depicted on ancient artwork from this era. “In
Western culture, few sexual practices have met with such widespread censure as
sexual activities with members of one’s own anatomic sex,” (Rathus, Nevid, &
Fichner-Rathus, 2018, p. 149).
The view or roles that women and
boys played was to be dominated by their partner. Usually penetration only
happened to those that were considered less than, and this meant the one
penetrating was in a powerful position. Sex with either sex was seen in this
light and widely accepted. “The passive partner, anyone who was penetrated, was
typically of lower status: a boy,
a woman, a slave,” (Golden 2011 p.
395). Homosexuality was accepted yet lesbian acts as in Rome were not widely
accepted. Women were still expected to behave one way while dominant rich men
could do what they want sexually.
The Romans had a similar take on
sexuality as the Greeks, yet they add a little more color to the picture. The
old saying “When in Rome” was a lot more serious than how it is used today.
There was equal standing with men and women when it came to sex. Women could be
killed for cheating on their mate, e.g., a man. Men were free to have sex with
other men, but they had to be the dominant one or he one inserting the penis
not taking the penis. If two women were having sex it usually involved a man
with penetration happening and this was all looked at as symbol of power. This
means who ever is penetrating in all different sex acts is the one with power
and kept his social standing in the community.
Women were nothing more than a baby
making machine and supposed to be passive, a servant to the family and the man,
and not to question her husband on anything including his cheating philandering
ways. This was the way it was. These views and still be seen today in many
countries including western society. When we examine the Emperors of Rome we
find perverted men that did things that today they would be in jail for.
Especially with the newly founded “Me Too” movement. Tiberius had anal sex in the
law. Meaning, if you were found guilty of a crime your victim could chose anal
penetration of you. (WOW). Women were to keep quiet, remain lady like and show
very little of their body unless ordered to do otherwise, (Plant 2014).
Contemporary cultural perspectives are changing daily in western society, yet
people are still being killed today for being homosexual, bi-sexual, or having
a gender identity issue.
Contemporary
Sexual Perspectives/ Gay Activism
“Same-sex sexual activity has been outlawed or frowned
upon in nearly every society for thousands of years,” (Ruthis, Nevid, and
Fichner-Rathus p. 158). There are many reasons for this but the main reasons
are religiosity and non-education. The state of Texas still pushes to call
homosexuality of any sort deviant sexual acts yet the Supreme Court voted 6 to
3 against this language and still most people in the bible belt still condemn
these acts and feel free telling people about it by using bible scriptures such
Leviticus in which it clearly states death to those who lye with the same sex. These
people do not feel the need for education on how the human body evolves from
the time of conception.
Gay activism had to be turned into LGBT
activism because many of the lesbians, and trans-gender people were being left
out by the word “Gay”. To include the whole people was to include all that were
not considered normal or heterosexual. Just as recently as 2011 President Bill
Clinton made this ridiculous policy that as long as a person did not admit they
were gay they could remain in the military and fight for their country. This
was humiliating to many gay people. Think of how it would feel not to be able
to tell a friend about the love of your life? Think of how you would have to
hide the very soul and being that you are because it would end your career.
These modern day hate laws are hurtful and led to many suicides in both young
and older people. The act of making a law to govern sexuality is barbaric. President
Obama came along and ended that ridiculous law citing that Americans will treat
Americans with dignity and respect regardless of their sexual orientation.
Sadly, the current administration seems to be turning the clock backwards on
human sexuality with each stroke of his pen.
The gender roles between women and men
can rang from passive to aggressive and sometimes these roles in the
relationships are reversed. Many times
the term “Butch’ refers to a woman who is a
more masculine sort and her mate maybe more feminine. The cultural perspective
in America is becoming slowly more tolerant yet it seems that any kind of
rhetoric, hate speeches, or religious talk starts flying around the old views
come to surface and these men and women become targets of uneducated
hate-filled people. It seems that when anything goes wrong in society the
targets are either people color or of the LGBT community. Many times, both at
the same time as we see today happening.
Conclusion
From the ancient past to the modern
cultures of today, it is easy to make the claim that not much has changed.
Women are still second-hand citizens in much of the world today and even in
America women are fighting to be treated as equals. Homosexuals are still being
killed for being who they are. Social status of people still weighs over
lower-income people when it comes to laws. Rich men are still buying
sex-slaves, e.g., boys and girls, and getting away with it because of their
socio-economic status. And as of recently leaders of political parties are
outright racist and condemn people that are not considered White and it is
socially accepted. This fears the country has stepped back in time and many
people will suffer for it. The education system is so expensive that educating
people on human sexuality has become a task; leaving fear to set in for those
that do not understand. From fearing the unknown comes hate.
References
Golden, M. (2011). Controlling
Desires: Sexuality in Ancient Greece and Rome - By Kirk Ormand. Historian,
73(2), 394-396. doi:10.1111/j.1540-6563.2011.00294_60.x
Michelle Fullerton, (2013)
"Diversity and inclusion – LGBT inclusion means business", Strategic
HR Review, Vol. 12 Issue: 3, pp.121-125, https://doi.org/10.1108/14754391311324462
Plant, I. (2014). WOMEN HISTORIANS
OF ANCIENT GREECE AND ROME *. Ancient History, 41-44, 77-0_7. Retrieved from https://search-proquest-com.contentproxy.phoenix.edu/docview/1690235519?accountid=35812
Rathus, S.A., Nevid, j.s., & Fichner-Rathus, L. (2018).
Human Sexuality in a Changing World (10th ed.). Retrieved from https://viewer.gcu.edu/Jh8DzF.
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