Cultural perspectives influence views on sexuality and acceptable sexual behaviors. Western cultures are influenced by Greco-Roman and Judeo-Christian traditions, which view sexuality differently. While Greco-Roman cultures were more sexually permissive, Christianity emphasized anti-sexuality. Views of sexuality are also shaped by factors like religion, education, media portrayal of sexuality, and societal openness regarding topics like sexual orientation and masturbation. Different cultures interpret and express sexuality in varying ways based on their norms and values.

1. Cultural perspectives on sexuality.
And the ideal environment for a teenager to
develop a healthy sense of sexuality.
Pleasure through sexual intercourse,
pornography and masturbation
By Siddhant , ba psychology semester 2
Amity university dubai

2. INTRODUCTION
 Western civilizations are
basically Greco-Roman in
social organization,
philosophy, and law, with a
powerful admixture of
Judaism and Christianity.
 The judeo – Christian culture
had certain elements which
did not mix : individual
freedom was admired, but
there was a point on law and
proper procedure;
 The two factions the
pantheism of the Greeks and
Romans questioned the
ideology of Judeo-Christian
monotheism or the belief
that there is only one God.
 the sexual permissiveness of
Hellenistic times was
answered by the anti
sexuality of early
Christianity.

3. contd
 In terms of sex, the most important factor
was for them Christianity.
 While other vital aspects of human life, such
as government, property rights, kinship, and
economics, were influenced to varying
degrees, sexuality was singled out as falling
almost entirely within the domain of
religion.
 This development arose from an ascetic
concept which was shared by a number of
religions,
 The two concept of the good spiritual world
as opposed to the carnal materialistic world,
the struggle between the spirit and the
flesh. Since sex is the embodiment of the
flesh, it was obviously considered the enemy
of the spirit.

4. Human sexuality
 “Human sexuality” refers to people’s sexual interest
in and attraction to others; it is the capacity to have
erotic or sexual feelings and experiences.
 Sexuality differs from biological sex, in that
“sexuality” refers to the capacity for sexual feelings
and attraction, while “biological sex” refers to how
one’s anatomy, physiology, hormones, and genetics
are classified (typically as male, female, or
intersex). Sexuality is also separate from gender
identity, which is a person’s sense of their own
gender, or sociocultural classification (i.e., man,
woman, or another gender) based on biological sex
(i.e., male or female). It is also distinct from—
although it shapes—sexual orientation, or one’s
emotional and sexual attraction to a particular sex or
gender.
 Sexuality may be experienced and expressed in a
variety of ways, including thoughts, fantasies,
desires, beliefs, attitudes, values, behaviors,
practices, roles, and relationships. These manifest
themselves not only in biological, physical, and
emotional ways, but also in sociocultural ways, which
have to do with the effects of human society and
culture on one’s sexuality. Some researchers believe
that sexual behavior is determined by genetics;
however, others assert that it is largely molded by
the environment.
 Human sexuality impacts, and is impacted by,
cultural, political, legal, and philosophical aspects of
life, and can interact with issues of morality, ethics,
theology, spirituality, or religion.

5. Sexuality as
viewed by
different
cultures
 Sexuality may be experienced and
expressed in a variety of ways,
including thoughts, fantasies,
desires, beliefs, attitudes, values,
behaviors, practices, roles, and
relationships.
 these may manifest themselves not
only in biological, physical, and
emotional ways, but also in
sociocultural ways, which have to do
with the effects of human society
and culture on one’s sexuality. Some
researchers believe that sexual
behavior is determined by genetics;
however, others assert that it is
largely molded by the environment.
Human sexuality impacts, and is
impacted by, cultural, political,
legal, and philosophical aspects of
life, and can interact with issues of
morality, ethics, theology,
spirituality, or religion.

6.  “Throughout time and place, the vast
majority of human beings have
participated in sexual relationships
“(Broude 2003)
 society, however, interprets sexuality and
sexual activity in different ways. Human
sexuality can be understood as part of the
social life of humans, governed by implied
rules of behavior and the status quo.
 The sociocultural context of society—
which includes all social and cultural
factors, from politics and religion to the
mass media—not only creates social
norms, but also places major importance
on conformity to these norms. Norms
dictate what is considered to be
acceptable behavior; what is considered
normal or acceptable in terms of sexual
behavior is based on the norms, mores,
and values of the particular society.

7. Factors that
influence
sexuality
 Religion
 Openness and
acceptability
 Stereotypes
 Awareness
 Decent understanding
of their sexual
preference and feelings
 Sex education
 Media

8. Role of media
 Homosexuality is perceived differently by
different cultures and subcultures. Many of
these perceptions are influenced by religion.
 Different cultures vary in how they understand
sexuality and in what they deem to be
acceptable or normal.
 We must understand media in todays age plays
a critical role in our lives . It has the power to
manipulate our thought process
 Mass media in the form of television,
magazines, movies, and music continues to
shape what is deemed appropriate or normal
sexuality, ( ask who decides the norms?)
 targeting everything from body image to
products meant to enhance sex appeal. Media
serves to perpetuate a number of social scripts
about sexual relationships and the sexual roles
of men and women, many of which have been
shown to have both empowering and
problematic effects on people’s (especially
women’s) developing sexual identities and
sexual attitudes.

9. Sexual
intercourse
 people continue to engage in sex long after
they have stopped having children. Often,
their sex lives actually get better, because
there are no more worries about unplanned
pregnancy
 It is mainly due to an intense interest in sex
and eroticism has no connection to the
suppposed interest in producing offspring. In
fact, those interests are often inversely
related.
 sexual behaviors we commonly engage in,
even in the fertile years, are not related to
reproduction at all. If you classify sex for
reproduction, then how do you justify or
give reasoning to sexual acts as anal and oral
sex?

10. It turns out that the deep experience of sexual pleasure depends
somehow on the presence, and conduct, of others.
illustration of this is seen found in prostitution. On its face,
prostitution is a cold business to work in . No justification is there
for this clients come in and pay for physical pleasure .
It is also seen that the customer's enjoyment increased if the
prostitute produces the sounds of enjoyment and sexual arousal?
If the client's motivation is selfish sexual release, ie satisfaction
of urge, it shouldn’t matter to him if the prostitute is aroused?
What excites him about the thought that she is enjoying herself?
Fundamental social, interpersonal dynamics are apparently
present even here, inside the most alienated transaction.

12.  Examples of pornographic
sites

14. Masturbation
 It may still be the punchline of many a joke, but self-
pleasure has come a long way since American Pie's apple
pie incident. While the stigma around self-love is slowly
shrinking, we have to ask: Is it possible it's affecting our
ability to get it on IRL?
 Megan Fleming is a sex and relation therapist also Ph.D.,
says that Masturbation actually helps keep your sexual
pilot light on , If you get in the habit of bringing yourself
to orgasm and experiencing that onslaught of dopamine,
oxytocin, and stress relief, you won't start with a cold
engine when you want to get revved up with a partner.
 Fleming another researcher says getting excited to get it
on may not be a problem for some, but if you tend to have
a low libido, solo sessions can help you know exactly what
turns you on.
 greatist.com

15.  In todays world it is the most talked about topic, and
sexual freedom, we enter an ancient and debated topic,
like masturbation.
 There are debates or clashes of views among sexologists
and gnosis (Gnosis is the common Greek noun for
knowledge (γνῶσις, gnôsis, f.). The term is used in various
Hellenistic religions and philosophies).
 sexologists and modern sexual education say they
recommend the practice of masturbation. Knowing the
behind the scenes workings of human nature, gnosis of
yesterday and today does not recommend masturbation
and goes further justify their claims saying that it is a
practice that creates severe damage rather than helping
us .
 We have to understand that both genders indulge in this ,
despite any situation
 www.vopus.org
 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
x

16. resources
 vopus.org
 greatist.com
 britannica.com