Introduction
Human sexuality is a vital part of existence, carrying the reproductive function but also the interaction and the need for intimacy and love. The mere existence of human species is due to sexuality, which is one of the basic needs for living. From the most ancient times, or from the biblical beginning of Adam and Eve, sexuality is entrenched in human behavior as a necessary condition for spreading the human species, but also as a capacity for sharing loving feelings towards another human being. Although the effects of sexuality are visible in the public spheres through relationships and/or children that resulted from a sexual interaction, sexuality is often perceived as a taboo subject. The social principles of morality and bashfulness teach people that specific aspects of sexuality should not be discussed in the public, which is why there can be traced a difference between public and private sexuality. The distinction between public and private aspects of human sexuality are valid as discretion is advised in a civilized society to maintain social order.
Body
Sexuality implies pre-sex phases, which include the courtship or establishing a relationship status. Depending on various times and cultures, the courtship can take various forms. As such, courtship can be defined as either the romantic process of wooing a partner into marriage with tokens of affection, or as the act of attracting a mating partner (Cere 5). While the act of courtship can be perceived as a form of public sexuality for either situations, it is considered as aligned to the social conventions for the first situation, as the second, the selection of mate, can be interpreted as a promiscuous conduct (Cere 4). Either way, showing affection or interest towards another person, dating another person, with or without the intention of marriage is considered a public aspect of human sexuality. In the more traditionalist cultures, however, the act of courting and dating without the intention or the finality of marriage is publically criticized and considered a shameful behavior, which can also lead to the expulsion of the subjects of these public forms of sexuality from the community (Cere 13 - 14).
Having children is another public manifestation of sexuality. Reproduction is a form of social interaction and the development of human identity into parenthood (Bernstein & Hansen 1). It is public, because parents appear with their children in public, as a family. Hence, the concept of family is based on the social acceptance of sexuality, as it implies intimate relationships that may result in offspring (Cere 17).
Pregnancy is a direct consequence of intimate sexual relationship. However, while sexual intercourse is considered an aspect specific to the private sphere, pregnancy, which most often results from this act (as it may also result from artificial insemination) is perceived as a public form of sexuality. There are forums, groups and medical assistance dedicated to pregnant women and to family planning, which confirms the public nature of pregnancy.
On the other hand, as mentioned earlier, the actual sexual relationship is considered part of the private sphere. It implies sharing private emotions that only concern the parties involved in the relationship. It also involves the need for intimacy, affection and the reciprocation of affection, which, just as sexuality, are human motivational factors, ranked higher on the pyramid of needs (Maslow page). Sex or other forms of intimate sharing of sexuality, may or may not result in marriage or reproduction, but it is primarily considered as private for the parties involved. The intimate sexuality can contribute to individuals identifying their sexuality.
Through this idea there should be understand that intimate sexual relationships lead not solely to determining one’s sexuality, generating sexual identifications such as straight or homosexual, but also to discovering more insightful aspects of sexual preferences. These aspects are not attributable to public sphere, but they can and sometimes are shared among close friends. Nevertheless, not everybody talks freely about his or her sexuality. Moreover, discussing this topic with strangers or simple acquaintances, might be considered as inappropriate and promiscuous and in more traditional cultures might be even considered as an offense (World Trade Organization 16).
Similarly, being too inquisitive regarding one’s sexual relationship(s) and asking details about their sexuality or sex life is considered as intrusive, although some may be more open to debate this topic. However, discussing with friends about sex and sexuality as pertaining to the private life, can allow sharing of significant information that might develop one’s sense of sexual identity. Nevertheless, the social conventions of civilized societies advise for the maintaining of discretion regarding one’s intimate aspects of sexuality.
The health aspect regarding sexuality is also a matter of public and private interest. Sexual health refers to the “state of physical, emotional, mental and social well – being in relation to sexuality [encompassing] not only certain aspects of reproductive health () but also, the possibility of having pleasurable and sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence” (World Health Organization 1). While social campaigns for safe sex or the utilization of condom may seem to interfere with the private sphere of sexuality, it nevertheless aims at preventing the spread of diseases through sexual contact by educating individuals on the secondary effects of unprotected sex (Cere 11). Furthermore, the health sphere of sexuality can pertain the private realm of human sexuality without transgressing it, when it concerns the social safety of the individuals, in cases such as rape, sexual molestation or abuse (World Health Organization 31).
Because health is a matter pertaining to the public sphere, sexuality, with the purpose of sexual protection, implies treating sex as a public aspect. Nevertheless, the public health policies and campaigns that target safe sex focus on sex in general terms, not on particular couples. Sex issues discussed with health practitioners are also aspects pertaining to the private sphere, because the specialists act as doctors, who also treat private aspects of human health. Moreover, private aspects of sexuality that are related to health are meant to protect individual to develop their healthy sexuality by allowing them to explore, through sexual education, various aspects that may enrich their sexual experiences in terms of emotional, mental or physical well-being (World Health Organization 1).
The private display of affection is a controversial aspect. Across different cultures, there are specific limits regarding how far the display of emotions in public (part of sexuality) can stretch. If in Islamic and other traditional cultures the public display of emotion is considered as public offenses against the moral conventions and punished according to the local law, western cultures are more opened to allowing specific aspects of intimate sexuality to be publically expressed (World Health Organization 24).
Even so, specific Western cultures have various limits regarding how much sexual intimacy is accepted in the public sphere. While holding hands or kissing discretely in the public might not be considered a moral offense to the public bashfulness, more passionate kisses and touches or intercourse are considered against the moral conventions, trespassing the private sphere of sexuality (Berco 82). This discussion leads to the subject of sexual orientation. As such, while in the traditional societies like the one of Islam, homosexuality is punishable by death, in other cultures it is disregarded as a sin, against nature, while in more modern societies it is accepted by the social conventions (World Health Organization 24).
Conclusion
Based on the presented information, it appears that the public and private sexuality interact across various social aspects of life. In marriage, in reproduction or in health, sexuality is inherent and it leads towards these ends. While the intimate aspects of sexuality lead to the public manifestation of sexuality through these forms, there is a subtle line between public and private sexuality, as established by the social conventions of morality and discretion. In more modern cultures, intimate aspects of human sexuality, such as kissing in the public are also accepted. On the other hand, more traditionalist cultures perceive the public display of human affection as immoral and specific aspects of sexuality, such as homosexuality expression, are punishable by death. In this context, it is safe to state that there is a clear distinction between public and private aspects of human sexuality, traced by the socially accepted standards of moral behavior.
Works Cited
Berco, Cristian. Sex Hierarchies, Public Status. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. 2007. Print.
Bersntein, Stan & Hansen, Charlotte Juul. Public Choices, Private Decisions: Sexual and Reproductive Health and the Millennium Development Goals. Millennium Project. 2006. Print.
Cere, Dan. The Experts’ Story of Courtship. New York: Institute of American Values. 2000. Print.
World Health Organization. Sexual Health, Human Rights, and the Law. Geneva: World Health Organization. 2015. Print.
