Homework Lance
There have been many changes over the years with the view on sexuality. Depending on the area or region impacted the sexual lifestyle that people participated in. In certain areas, it was expected for woman to have intercourse as much as possible until their mate was determined, and in other areas it was urged to only have intercourse about once a month. In addition, there have been many changes on the homosexuality and the rights for people who choose this lifestyle now receive. “But sexuality derives from the body; as the body is in flux, so too is sexuality” (Durham, 2016) This really has changed immensely over the years for the better.
During what is known as the Victorian period sexuality was kept very private and repressed. This is known as the Victorian period due to Queen Victoria reigned during this time period of the years 1837-1901. “Women were assumed not to experience sexual desires or pleasures. “I would say,” observed William Acton (1814–1875), an influential English physician, in 1857, “that the majority of women (happily for society) are not much troubled with sexual feeling of any kind.” It was widely believed among medical authorities in England and the United States that sex drains the man of his vitality. Physicians thus recommended that intercourse be practiced infrequently. The Reverend Sylvester Graham (1794–1851) preached that ejaculation depleted men of “vital fluids” they needed to maintain health and vitality. Graham preached against “wasting the seed” by masturbation or frequent marital intercourse (Haynes, 2012).” The belief was that men could not have intercourse often due to losing “vital fluids” Intercourse was believed to weaken men, so men could not have intercourse if the man was expected to do something vigorous such as a sporting activity, manual labor etc. As a result, men would only have intercourse with their wives about once a month. Women were not verbal about their sexuality either, they couldn’t stand when their husbands wanted intercourse, it was looked at in a shameful way even for those who were married. Queen Victoria even had drapes over the legs of the piano to cover to not have anything exposed. Women during this time wore long dresses as well to not expose any part of themselves. (Rathus, et al., 2014).
On the other side of this belief there were areas that had a completely different approach on sexuality. In 1955, Mangaia has a completely different view on intercourse, believing that getting in touch with their sexuality was the right way to be. “From an early age, Mangaian boys and girls are encouraged to get in touch with their own sexuality through sexual play and masturbation. At about the age of 13, Mangaian boys are initiated into manhood by adults who instruct them in sexual techniques. Boys practice their new techniques with girlfriends on secluded beaches or beneath the listing fronds of palms. They may visit girlfriends in huts where they sleep with their families. Parents often listen for their daughters to laugh and gasp so that they will know that they have reached orgasm with a visiting young “sleepcrawler.” Parents often pretend to be asleep so as not to interfere with courtship and impede their daughters’ chances of finding a mate. Daughters may receive a nightly succession of sleepcrawlers and have mul-tiple orgasms with each one.” (Rathus, et al., 2014). In Mangaia, they look at virginity like there is something wrong, or look to a male to initiate intercourse with that female to rectify the situation. Other Western areas did not have this same belief and were not permitted to have orgasms which Mangain’s assume that there is something wrong with their sexual organs to prevent orgasms from being able to occur. Women and men start having intercourse with one another in Mangaia as early as age 14 years old, this is in search of their mate. Sexuality was very open and enjoyed in Mangaia, but was not the case in other countries and regions during this time.
Over the years homosexuality views have changed for the better. At one time, it was frowned upon especially in Roman Catholic times to participate in such sexual activities with the same sex. ( MacCulloch, 2011 ). It was viewed as a sin against God as stated in Leviticus 10: 13: If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. During this time, everyone was to follow the Roman Catholic religion and those who did not were imprisoned and eventually put to death. It was not allowed in any way to have a homosexual nature and was believed to be against God. It was as if people who were homosexual were intestinally trying to anger God and forsake their beliefs. People who did have homosexual relationships during this time were done so in secret to prevent the repercussions from the Roman Catholic Empire. Many fled to other regions that were not under the Roman rule to prevent being put to death, tortured or imprisoned. ( Shaw, 2016 ). On the other hand, in the ancient Greek era it was believed that men were bisexual, and participated in sexual acts. “Like the Hebrews, the Greeks valued family life, but Greek men also admired the well-developed male body and enjoyed nude wrestling in the arena. Erotic encounters and off-color jokes characterized the plays of Aristophanes and other playwrights. The Greeks held that the healthy mind must dwell in a healthy body. They cultivated muscle and movement along with mind. The Greeks viewed their gods—Zeus, god of gods; Apollo, who inspired art and music; Aphrodite, the goddess of carnal love whose name is the basis of the word aphrodisiac; and others—as voracious seekers of sexual variety. Not only were they believed to have sexual adventures among themselves but they were also thought to have seduced mortals.” (Rathus, et al., 2014). Greeks believed that men were bi-sexual and the more muscular the male the better for them. They were not to elope of have romantic connections with other men, it was just for their sexuality that they could participate in such acts. Homosexual rights began in 1969 and continues today. In the 1980’s when HIV/AIDS arose as a disease predominately affecting gay men and women more awareness was formed. Research was completed for attempting to find cures, initiating institutions and so on. In addition, gay marriage has been a battle for many years. Today there are several countries that allow gay marriage in addition to several states in America allowing gay marriage and recognizing the partnership of two men or two women just the same as any other marriage. (Paternotte, 2016). There is more support today than any time in history. Television shows are now being watched with gay couples such as “The Fosters,” which storyline is two women who are married who have built a family together. There seems to be more acceptance today for homosexuality than any other time in history.
Over the years, there have been many different views on sexuality. In history, one view was against being open about sexuality, almost as if the women were assumed and uncomfortable with sexuality. The other view, being really outgoing with sexuality and believing intercourse at a young age was required to find their mate. In addition, homosexuality has also progressed for the better throughout history. Social and Cultural views of health and unhealthy sexuality in history versus today and the roles of men and woman has changed a great deal.
Haynes, A. (2012). Obscenity, sex education, and medical democracy in the antebellum United States. In E. Reis, (Ed.), American sexual histories (pp. 165–176). Chichester, West Sussex, UK: Wiley–Blackwell.
Rathus, S., Nevid, J., Fichner-Rathus, L., (2014). Human Sexuality in a World of Diversity (9th ed.). Pearson Education Inc.
MacCulloch, D. (2011). Christianity: The first three thousand years . New York: Viking.
Shaw, D. (2016). The Roman Catholic Church and the Repugnant Conclusion. Journal of bioethical inquiry, 13(1), 11-14.
Paternotte, D. (2016). The Lesbian and Gay Movement and the State: Comparative Insights into a Transformed Relationship. Routledge.
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