Sex is visible in media and popular cultures across America, and various sexual practices are acknowledged in society. From the Internet to media advertisements, sex or sexual orientation is noticeable. However, these aspects have not stopped people from having well-established fears of sex and sexuality (Schwartz, 2010). The following evidence supports cultural fear of sex: abstinence education, attitude towards homosexuality, and regulations outlawing sexual pleasure.
Abstinence Education
The government developed a program centered on educating young people on sexual abstinence. The project aims at encouraging young people to abstain from until marriage. However, this initiative has been ineffective in accomplishing its intended goals (Schwartz, 2010). Sex and sexuality themes are still taboo among parents in American society. They are anxious about validating any form of sexual conduct among their children. This is evidenced by the lack of parents’ push for sex education, especially on such subjects as contraceptives’ proper use.
Attitude towards Homosexuality
Society has become more accepting and tolerant towards homosexuality; however, disputes still exist, particularly regarding relationships between two consenting adults of the same gender. Individuals typically welcome the idea of having a gay news anchor or police officer but fail to acknowledge their espousal as marriage. Women are increasingly celebrating their sexuality, but the same cannot be said for men since society has a harsher perception of males than females (Anand, 2016). For instance, a man who might have had one homosexual encounter and multiple heterosexual engagements is viewed as an individual in denial, unlike a woman who is bisexual.
Laws Outlawing Sexual Pleasure
Various states across America, for instance, Texas, have criminalized the sale of vibrators – anyone found selling these items is prosecuted. Opponents perceive these devices as a danger to the society’s morality (Schwartz, 2010). Legislators who are against these statutes are afraid of speaking out due to the fear of retribution. Proponents’ arguments revolve around the device’s ability to trigger pleasure. The idea of sourcing pleasure from vibrators other than intercourse sends shivers across American society.
From the above analysis, it is evident that fear of sex and sexuality is still an issue in American society. Therefore, the statement by Schwartz (2010) that America is more sexually restrained than unshackled, sadder than contented, and more misguided than knowledgeable is true. The society still holds conservative values, irrespective of its advancement into modernity, and is afraid of openly and wholly embracing sex and sexuality.
References
Anand, P. V. (2016). Attitude towards homosexuality: A survey-based study. Journal of Psychosocial Research, 11(1), 157-166.
Schwartz, P. (2010). Why is everyone afraid of sex? In B. J. Risman & V. E. Rutter (Eds.), Families as they really are (2nd ed., pp. 120-130). Manhattan, NY: W. W. Norton & Company.