Sexuality is a topic that has been of considerable interest to the public and scientists for a long time. Until now, there is no precise definition of the reasons that affect the formation of this aspect of a person’s personality. Many studies consider sexuality as a continuum, equating it with characteristics such as height or weight. Thus, not every person must meet certain norms and standards related to this phenomenon. Moreover, it is difficult for many individuals to define themselves as strictly gay or straight. Culture has a remarkable influence on the formation of the concept of sexuality. Thus, this scientific work aims to consider sexuality as a cultural construct and study the evidence of sexuality from the point of view of science and history. This will help to form a complete understanding of this aspect and will help to spread awareness about this topic.
Culture directly impacts the formation of many aspects of modern society. In the same way, a cultural construct can be defined as the process of acquiring, understanding, and spreading knowledge about a particular phenomenon based on the cultural characteristics of the people in which it occurs. Thus, sexuality is constructed through sociocultural processes and practices. In addition, the culturally formed concept of sexuality includes the fact that each culture includes certain concepts of masculine and feminine. Moreover, they all use different ideas of how the formation of both sexes takes place and masculinity and femininity develop. The cultural construct of sexuality includes such indicators as sexual body, sexual behavior, and sexual identities.
Further, it is necessary to understand what human sexuality is clearly. Hence, in simple words, it is defined as sexual interest concerning other individuals (Mark & Haus, 2019). Other sources differentiate sexuality as an opportunity to experience sexual desire and feelings. This phenomenon is an integral part of any person’s cultural and social life, and often they form the idea of it and its reality. However, there is scientific and historical evidence that this concept is much more complicated than it seems. Culture defines specific gender and social roles that male and female representatives should perform. These norms of behavior change over time and directly depend on society’s conditions and level of development.
The cross-cultural aspect shows that sexuality is strictly determined by society, traditions, and worldview. Thus, each of them independently forms norms and understanding about gender roles, sex, homosexuality, and other types of sexual behavior. Moreover, people from an early age are socialized according to the established laws and norms of the society surrounding them. For example, in the United States of America, with the development of the views of society, the concept of sexual orientation and the attitude of the public towards it are changing. Although the struggle for the freedom of citizens and its value is in the right place in the country, sexuality often remains a restrictive topic compared to the rest. Sex education plays a unique role in this process. It determines how individuals will behave in the future and self-identify and express their sexual motivations.
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 the environment largely molds it. 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.
Of particular interest is the consideration of sexuality from the side of science and history. Hence, many scientists think that this human behavior is determined even before birth. This is determined by the peculiarities of the structure of the brain or, instead by neurodevelopment. Furthermore, it is noted that in the human brain, there is a special department that is responsible for this behavior. Moreover, human genetics plays a role in the formation of sexual orientation. Thus, we can say that science and the structure of the human brain complicate the concept of sexuality much more.
Historical data can also provide a significant amount of evidence for the topic under study. Studies have noted that it is impossible to say precisely about the existence of history in the concept of sexual orientation. Moreover, the phenomenon under study can be completely attributed to the physical characteristics of a person. Throughout the lengthy culture of humanity, ideological beliefs have influenced how society perceives gays and straight people.
Therefore, it can be concluded that sexuality is a part of modern society. Moreover, such aspects as scientific and history prove its increased level of complexity for the final definition. In addition, many cultures have their ideas and rules about the manifestation of human sexuality. Thus, following cultural norms related to sexuality still strongly influences what is generally accepted. However, science, history, and cross-cultural studies significantly deepen and complicate this phenomenon.
Reference
Mark, K., & Haus, K. (2019). Culture and sexuality. Systemic Sex Therapy, 245-257.