People’s beliefs about sex vary across different cultures; what is perceived as an abomination in one culture may be completely acceptable in another culture. Generally, for many centuries it has always been a norm among many cultures that sex is shameful, harmful and disgusting. This is what is termed as sex negativity. As time has passed, the attitudes of people towards sex have shifted greatly. However, what has greatly changed is what type of sex is allowed but not the general view on sex. Many sexual acts currently are still not acceptable among many people across different cultures. Procreation still remains to be the mostly accepted reason for sex and the likes of masturbation and non-heterosexuality are still non-acceptable in many cultures.
Sex negativity mostly devalues any sexual act and the sexual experience. It makes people believe that any other kind of sexual activity or expression that is not termed as normal in the context of society is not valuable. It makes people feel ashamed and fearful when it comes to anything related to sex.
On the other hand, we have sex positivity. It embraces sexuality fully and does not place any moral values on any sexual act or different sexualities. Sex positivity allows us to create room for sexual diversity in ourselves by helping us put aside our judgements when it comes to matters related to sex. Sex positivity should not be mistaken with the enthusiasm for sex or being adventurous when it comes to sex, instead, it is just a concept that offers people the chance to respect the sexualities of other people.
Sex positivity entails the following facts
When people say yes to the sex they want and no to the sex they don’t want.
When people stop believing in hierarchies of gender and sexuality.
When people accept that their thoughts, feelings and choices when it comes to sex are good and natural.
When we respect the choices made by other people and their ability to choose.
When we respect the rights of other people in making sexual choices that fit their own personal values.
When we celebrate things such as celibacy, masturbation, asexuality, waiting, group sex, open relationships and other more wonderful ways that we can play and relate to others.
Sex Diversity
The contemporary America is generally characterized by high levels of diversity. The main reason for this is because America’s population comprises of people from every corner of the world, from Africa, Asia and Europe. This creates a mix of different cultures which in turn results in great diversity. When it comes to the issue of sex diversity, America is among the top nations that are sexually diverse. Sex diversity entails people having different beliefs and practices when it comes to matters related to sex. America is home to people of a wide variety of religious and ethnic backgrounds, race, and skin colour.
Sexuality is one way that people differ from each other. It applies to many different aspects of sexuality such as the way people are diverse when it comes to their likes and dislikes in terms of sex (Howells, 1984). Mostly, the term sexual diversity is used with respect to sexual orientation and gender identity. In order to refer to sexual diversity in the society, one has to understand what it entails for people to be sexually diverse. For many Americans, sexual diversity is understood by knowing the meaning of the following acronym; LGBTQ. The acronym stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning.
Generally, sex between people of different sexes is what is commonly termed as normal. This is referred to sex between people who are heterosexual. However, not everyone is heterosexual. Some people are bisexual, lesbian, gay or queer. The general population consists of people with different sexual orientations and this is one good example of sexual orientation.
Sexual diversity is also commonly used with reference to gender identity. Gender identity refers to the fact that not everyone has a gender identity that directly conforms to their biological sex (Dijk, 2007). To better understand this, one has to know the meaning of different terms. Gender identity refers to how people see themselves whether as female or male. This in other words means how people feel with respect to being male or female regardless of their biological status. Biological sex on the other hand refers to how people are born; one is either male or female. For example, when a boy is born with a penis and testicles, he is termed as biologically male. People whose gender identity does not conform to their biological sex are referred to as transsexual people. Such people go to the extent of altering their biological sex to align with their sexual identity. On the other hand, there are some people who see themselves as neither male nor female in terms of their gender identity, such people are referred to as transgendered people.
There are also some people who are referred to as intersex. When it comes to biology, there are people who have reproductive organs that are a mix of both male and female. Intersexuality happens due to hormonal factors in the course of pre-natal development which affects the reproductive organs. For example, a person may be born looking like a male in the outside, but in the inside they are mostly female. Also, a person may be born with genitals that are a mix of both male and female. When it comes to gender identity for intersex persons, they tend to attend the gender that will reflect best how they feel.
Acceptance and Awareness of Sexual Diversity
In ancient America, sexual diversity was less obvious and visible than it currently is. With the passage of time, the American society has become more tolerant in accepting sexual differences among the American citizens (Rayside, 2008). This can be seen in most American films. Most of them depict how it has been difficult for people with sexual differences and practices that were previously seen as abominations like gays and lesbianism. Currently, there are American families comprising people of the same sex and it is very acceptable. This shows that many American citizens are becoming sexually positive by not judging other people because of their sexual differences.
Barriers to Sex Positivism
The major barriers to sex positivity in contemporary America are culture, religion and how one has been brought up from childhood (Rayside, 2008). When it comes to culture, most cultures view people who are not heterosexual as an abomination. Many cultures do not allow sex between people of the same sex. This makes it very difficult for people brought up in such cultures to be sex positive and embrace other people who are sexually diverse.
Religion is also a major barrier to sex positivism. Most religions do not allow the marriage or any sex relations between people of the same sex. When it also comes to people with conflicting gender identity and biological sex, religion does not allow intersex people to change their biological sex medically. Religion advocates that the way we were created is the best and we should not alter with creation in any way. Religion has made it difficult for people to accept diversity when it comes to sex. Another barrier to sex positivity is how people have been brought up during childhood. Many people regardless of their religion or culture see it as unnatural for people of the same sex to have sexual relations. This has made it very difficult for many people to be sexually positive.
References
Dijk, L. ., & Driel, B. . (2007). Challenging homophobia: Teaching about sexual diversity. Stoke-on-Trent: Trentham.
Howells, K. (1984). The Psychology of sexual diversity. Oxford, OX, UK: Basil Blackwell.
Rayside, D. M. (2008). Queer inclusions, continental divisions: Public recognition of sexual diversity in Canada and the United States. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
