Sexual Assault, Abuse, and Incest

Cultures have very different definitions of rape and other forms of sexual abuse. The answers to these and other questions about sexual abuse will reflect a culture’s sexual norms:

• How does the culture define sexual abuse?

• Are the victims stigmatized?

• Are there harsh or lenient penalties for sex offenders?

• Are there laws against incest?

• Are there laws that define age of consent?

Sexuality Education

Sexuality education is fundamental to our sexual growth. The answers to these and other questions about sexuality education will reflect a culture’s sexual norms:

• Is sexuality education left entirely to the family?

• Are there formal sexuality education programs for adults and children?

• Are fear tactics used to teach about sex in a negative way?

• Are programs designed to be comprehensive and reality-based, or are they restricted to the teaching of one set of values?

Sexual Taboos

All cultures forbid certain behaviors. The strongest prohibitions are called taboos. For example, sex between mother and son is taboo in most cultures. The answers to these and other questions about sexual taboos will reflect a culture’s sexual norms:

• Must a woman be a virgin at marriage?

• Is sex outside of marriage forbidden?

• What sexual behaviors and relationships are forbidden?

• Is talking about sex forbidden?

Sex Customs

All societies have sex customs. They include rituals such as marriage, circumcision, and initiation; behaviors, such as kissing, courtship, and waiting until marriage to have sex; and rules, beliefs, and attitudes about sex and sexuality. The answers to these and other questions about sex customs will reflect a culture’s sexual norms:

• Who benefits from the custom?

• Who is penalized by the custom?

• Is the custom in keeping with the laws and moral teachings of the culture?

• What is the origin of the custom?

We can ask these questions about our own culture as well as others’. The answers can help us understand our culture’s effect upon our own sexuality.

*24/155/5*

Related Posts:

• THE HARMONIOUS COUPLE – CASES OF HARMONIOUS RELATIONSHIPS (AL AND BETTY) OVERALL SITUATION
• GAMES FOR ABSTINENT COUPLES – GAME 5: MYSTERY LOVER (PART 4)
• GAMES FOR POLITICALLY OR MORALLY CORRECT COUPLES – GAME 1: POLITICALLY CORRECT SEX (PART 3)
• GAMES FOR ANGRY COUPLES – GAME 4: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (PART 1)
• GAMES FOR IMPULSIVE COUPLES – GAME 5: ONE-NIGHT STAND (PART 3)
• TRICHOMONAS: PELVIC EXAMINATION FOR WOMEN
• HIV INFECTION: HOW COMMON IS IT?
• STD GENITAL WARTS: HOW IS PAP SMEAR TAKEN?
• SEVERAL METHODS HAVE BEEN USED TO PROTECT AGAINST STD TRANSMISSION DURING ORAL SEX
• PSA AND PROSTATE CANCER: THE PLCO STUDY

You must be logged in to post a comment.