Is Anything About Human Sexuality Natural?

This could then be interpreted that human instinct is to evolve. True, man will evolve at a quicker rate than the rest of the living world, but as a product of increased intelligence, and sociological leaps ahead. Instinct is a perfectly natural concept, instinct is biological, it is written within the DNA of our genes, many studies have been conducted on animals to support that instinct is something that you are born with (nature) rather than something you acquire through experience (nurture). To deviate from heterosexual intercourse by means to simply reproduce would be a natural step, certainly natural behavioural patterns if adopting theorist views such as Maslow. Within the prison system convicts are locked up in single sexed jail blocks we see opportunistic homosexuality. Someone of heterosexual preferences maybe a Father or a Mother performing homosexual acts. The person may not be homosexual but has to alleviate his or her sexual urges. With regards to gender, whatever sex someone is born as, whether they have operations or not to change their sex, they are sentenced and treated in the eyes of the law as their original sex. This makes things very difficult in prison, because it would heighten sexual opportunism especially if that particular male was very feminine.

Shaping Sexuality – Experiences and Social Acceptance

In Sambia, boys aged seven to ten are taken from their mothers to a special place outside the village. Here they experience powerful homosexual fellatio activities. Elders teach that semen is vital and their natural masculinity is dependant on it. When they are young men, they return to their society, meet their mate, father children and their homosexuality ceases. This is considered as natural in this environment, for mothers to release their young sons to participate, in what we would see as Westerners, as sexual abuse in young boys.   Homosexuality is seen as being ‘unmanly’ or weak, although for homosexuals, their sexuality is completely normal, and some knew their orientation early.

If some homosexuals or heterosexuals figured out their sexual orientation early in life, it would be possible to their sexuality to be shaped by upbringing and personal experience. For those who have been abused as children or sexually assaulted as an adult, traumatic and demeaning experiences shape their sexual outlook. Some victims never trust the abuser’s gender again, therefore change their natural sexuality and become homosexual. Some see sex as meaningless or a chance to feel close to someone (promiscuity), others may see that their abuse was natural, so they might offend, but the majority get on with their lives as normal, following counselling to re-shape their perception of sexual practices and what is acceptable. Those who have participated in sexual activities have had at least one really bad experience, and as humans, we learn from our mistakes and are also curious to try new things. In teens and twenties, experimental activities occur, especially with young females, to see what they like and what they do not like, as procreation is not something to be considered yet, but rarely stray from the sexual orientation which is expected of them, socially, and in most cases, heterosexuality.

Bi-Sexuality – Is it Selfishness or Confusion?

Those that have sex with both men and women could be confused of their sexual preference and choose to experiment. Some know their sexual preference and enjoy having sex with both parties but will stick predominantly heterosexual. This is for sole enjoyment, not procreation, therefore would this be natural behaviour?  Would this be classed as greed or selfishness to lust?

‘Swingers’ engage in group sex, mixing with both males and females, on a social, then sexual level. Heterosexual men like swingers clubs because they get the opportunity to see their partners have sex with another person, but most of the time swinging males rarely engage with sex with other men. This whole set up could be seen as selfishness engaging in lust, rather than sexuality, either way, it deviates from the norm.

Gender Definition and Genetics

The on-going row on whether someone’s sexuality is predefined in genetics is still yet to be seen. Boys at four do play with dolls, a predominately female toy symbolising maternal instincts. This does not mean that the boy playing with the doll is gay, (because it is a bit ‘sissy’) but could be very heterosexual and have very strong paternal instincts. For example, a boy is brought up by a single mother and two older sisters. this does not suggest that this boy will be gay, his upbringing is female but he will see the sensitive side to females, and probably look for a partner much like his mother.

Defining gender is a key to sexuality. You will get a mate if you look feminine or masculine. Animals are very much like humans in this respect, Lion males will fluff their mane and when human males like a particular female, he will puff out his chest, quite subconsciously, to make him look masculine and dominant. Woman will do the same, but to show off her femininity.

For those who suffer with gender issues, defining themselves is an ongoing problem. Some boys are born and grow in to adult men, wishing that they had been born a woman. Sexual deviance occurs, such as cross-dressing, to make them feel better and/or to attract a mate. For some, this façade of being another sex is exciting, but like to remain their chosen gender, possibly for the sake of loved ones and what is expected of them. Some go to the extreme of corrective surgery, defining their gender and sexuality to what appears natural to them.  

Sexuality and Religion

Most religious denominations promote heterosexuality and shun homosexuality, as it is a sin. Homosexuality is regarded as unnatural, and in the Bible, ***QUOTE***. Homosexuality promotes Lust and doesn’t produce any offspring, so therefore it is seen as a pleasurable act, with is seen as pointless indulgence. Buddists believe that you should live you life making your own choice, based on the teachings. The teachings are guidelines, rather than a rule, it does not approve of homosexuality, but doesn’t promote it.

There has been such speculation of sexuality effecting religion. Priests have been caught with not just their hands in the charity box, but by breaking their vows and sleeping with nuns and children. Chastity is a major vow that is made when becoming a nun or a priest, keeping their virginity, being pure. Living a life much like the clergy, where temptation is great, sexual urges create themselves, much like in prison, and opportunist and deviant behaviour occurs.

Referring back to Maslow, it is a need to have sex, in order to function properly; would this mean that abstinence is un-natural? The natural thing for animals like humans to do is produce offspring and keeps the race going.

Sexuality is the reason that humans still exist, and this coincides with nature. Homosexuality is natural to a minority, even if it does not produce offspring, but socially accepted homosexuality is a modern day sexual preference.  The future lies in the hands of the heterosexuals, to ensure that they are doing what is solely intended for us as animals. Sexuality is as individual as personality, and our natural personalities rely on experimentation and different experiences.