Why is human sexuality so controversial?

[jimbob]

It is simply because people like to talk about anything that has to do with sexuality.

 

[linwood]

I believe it's controversial because it's one of the few actions we can perform that will create intelligent life.

Thats not gauranteed though jensa.
It often doesn`t.

 

[Prima]

It is simply because people like to talk about anything that has to do with sexuality.

That doesn't make it controversial. That just makes it talked about.

"Hey, did you hear about the AIDS crisis?"
"Yeah, man, all those people with AIDS keep having sex with other people!"

That's not a controversial conversation. Although I agree that people like to talk about things regarding sexuality. Which, I think, is because we don't really talk about it openly that much.

 

[Draka]

I'd have to say that it depends on the country as well. Certain countries are more open with their sexuality than others and therefore it is less of a controversy in those countries.

When the human body is accepted for what it is and the actions of which are talked about openly then the controversies surrounding sex and sexuality will die down. There are those who, though in a locker-room of those of the same gender, will go into a stall to change their clothes. Why? We are all the same...just different sizes and colors. If more people realized that the human body is nothing to be ashamed of then maybe things will change.

 

[The Black Whirlwind]

because this country was founded by prudes.

 

[Prima]

I'd have to say that it depends on the country as well. Certain countries are more open with their sexuality than others and therefore it is less of a controversy in those countries.

I both agree and disagree. I think certain countries are more open with certain things, but I think there is always at least one topic that a country is not open about. Although certainly, some are definitely more open than another in general.

When the human body is accepted for what it is and the actions of which are talked about openly then the controversies surrounding sex and sexuality will die down. There are those who, though in a locker-room of those of the same gender, will go into a stall to change their clothes. Why? We are all the same...just different sizes and colors. If more people realized that the human body is nothing to be ashamed of then maybe things will change.

I definitely agree! I think that ties in to what I was saying - we're taught to be ashamed of ourselves. Once we're not taught that, I think the problem will be mostly gone.

because this country was founded by prudes.

do you have something to support that? because from what I've read, people like Jefferson and Franklin were very ahead of their time with their ideas on human rights, including human sexuality.

 

[Sunstone]

Is there a link between the repression of sexuality and political repression?

 

[Nick Soapdish]

Whether one is talking about abortion, the age of consent, oral sex, HIV/AIDS, homosexuality or something else, topics that involve human sexuality are among the most controversial topics around. Why is that so? What is the root reason(s) that human sexuality is so controversial?

I have a friend who believes that the root reason is power. He argues that elites (religious and political) use human sexuality as a wedge to gain control over the masses of people. By scaring or conjoling people into following their prescriptions for what is proper or improper sexuality, they gain power over people. Does his theory hold any water? What do you think?

Is there a better explanation for why human sexuality is so controversial?

Sexuality is rooted deeply within our psychologically. It is a powerful thing. How we regard it, our treatment of it, and our experience with it has significant changes to our psychology and our relationships. Its not like other recreational activities such as playing darts.

For example, children who are molested experience terrible consequences later in life. Girls who are not mature and engage in sex have high instances of depression and suicide. Pornography addicts have many negative consequences in their life which are similar to drug additions or alcoholism. All of these are examples of how deep in our heads sexuality churns

How many epic stories have been written about how lust has ripped apart families, countries, or kingdoms? How many American families have been broken by sexual opportunism? Is it really so difficult to see why it is controversial?

People like to think that recreational sex is a natural, harmless activity, like playing sports. It is a pretty thought, but evidence does not support such a hypothosis.

As for your consipiracy theory, how are we being controlled by authorities and what power to they get from it? This is not at all clear to me.

 

[Unedited]

As some others have already stated, we all have our different preferences when it comes to sex, and we’re all somewhat worried about whether or not our preferences are right. So we want others to share our preferences so we don’t feel weird.

I think the idea of us not being taught to be ashamed and such is a nice concept, but I don’t think it’ll ever happen. It’s not some evil our parents invented to torture us. Men can’t agree enough to conjure up a conspiracy like that. I believe it’s human nature to recognize differences.

That’s my two cents anyway.

 

[retrorich]

Hmmm. Here's what I think - I agree with Freud.

The first experience we have with sexuality is ourselves. Even fetuses masturbate. But then, when we're one or two years old, we start to get slaps on the wrist, and a 'No! that's bad and icky!' So our desires for sexual satisfaction are shoved under into our unconcious mind. Then maybe during puberty we start thinking we want to have sex - "No! that's not good!" Then we are attracted to a brother, sister, parent, friend, or someone of the same sex - "That's gross!" So all these sexual impulses are shoved under. Then whenever we start talking about something sexual, the unconcious goes "WHOA! red alert! bad! bad! bad!" and we start to freak out a little. Then our impulses try to slip out and we freak out even more.

I think that if we weren't forced to attach negative emotions and guilt to sexuality from the start, it wouldn't make people so nervous.

But I think all of the above ideas are true, also. I think it's the combination of it all that makes it so bad.

Makes sense. Frubals to you.

 

[cardero]

Why is human sexuality so controversial?

Because there are many people who do not have sex when they want it and they usually do not get to perform it with whomever they want. Hearing about other people’s sexuality is the Big Hush, sexuality is the one thing that is none of our business but stands out as one of the most unique and interesting aspects of human behavior.

 

[Sunstone]

Can anyone think of a reason why people like James Dobson oppose homosexual marriages other than as a means of gaining and maintaining power?

More broadly, can anyone think of reason why the same people whip up a near hysteria about all things sexual in our society other than as a means of gaining and maintaining power?

 

[Nick Soapdish]

Can anyone think of a reason why people like James Dobson oppose homosexual marriages other than as a means of gaining and maintaining power?

More broadly, can anyone think of reason why the same people whip up a near hysteria about all things sexual in our society other than as a means of gaining and maintaining power?

Please explain how people "control" sexuality and what power they gain by it.

 

[michel]

Can anyone think of a reason why people like James Dobson oppose homosexual marriages other than as a means of gaining and maintaining power?

More broadly, can anyone think of reason why the same people whip up a near hysteria about all things sexual in our society other than as a means of gaining and maintaining power?

It is a facet of the human being that we often shout out against those things that we are worried may be in us. That certainly doesn't answer your first question, Sunstone, but it might be a contributary factor to the second part. It is also useful to promulgate a cause that you know will cause the public to polarise their ideas in the direction which is 'safer'- ie in dealing with matters of sex, say that the 'average' heterosexual couple find the thought of 'homosexual unions' uncomfortable to think of, it is a useful tool to shout out against homosexuality to ensure a great 'vote of aprobation' by the general population.

 

[Sunstone]

Please explain how people "control" sexuality and what power they gain by it.

That's a great question, Atofel!

A person like James Dobson makes all his money from donations given to him by his followers. So, he needs an issue that is capable of rousing his followers to send him money. If he doesn't have an issue that resonates with his followers, he goes poor. Dobson (and others) have hit on the fact that human sexuality issues can be played up in ways that persuade people to send them money. The way they play them up is usually to say something pretty close to "civilization will collapse if X is allowed." (Dobson has actually said, for instance, that civilization will collapse if homosexual marriages are allowed.) When it isn't "civilization will collapse", then its some other dire consequence will come about if X is allowed.

With money comes power and influence.

People like Dobson also gain power and influence by being able to persuade their followers to vote in certain ways ~ say, for a specific Republican candidate. The candidate, if elected, owes Dobson for some of the votes that put the candidate in office. Again, just like with the money issue, the way Dobson (and others) persuade their followers to vote for the candidate is by appealing to human sexuality issues.

I hope this helps.

 

[cardero]

Can anyone think of a reason why people like James Dobson oppose homosexual marriages other than as a means of gaining and maintaining power?

More broadly, can anyone think of reason why the same people whip up a near hysteria about all things sexual in our society other than as a means of gaining and maintaining power?

Because they cannot control it in their personal lives or the lives of anyone else.

 

[Nick Soapdish]

That's a great question, Atofel!

A person like James Dobson makes all his money from donations given to him by his followers. So, he needs an issue that is capable of rousing his followers to send him money. If he doesn't have an issue that resonates with his followers, he goes poor. Dobson (and others) have hit on the fact that human sexuality issues can be played up in ways that persuade people to send them money. The way they play them up is usually to say something pretty close to "civilization will collapse if X is allowed." (Dobson has actually said, for instance, that civilization will collapse if homosexual marriages are allowed.) When it isn't "civilization will collapse", then its some other dire consequence will come about if X is allowed.

With money comes power and influence.

People like Dobson also gain power and influence by being able to persuade their followers to vote in certain ways ~ say, for a specific Republican candidate. The candidate, if elected, owes Dobson for some of the votes that put the candidate in office. Again, just like with the money issue, the way Dobson (and others) persuade their followers to vote for the candidate is by appealing to human sexuality issues.

I hope this helps.

First off, you will have a hard time finding someone who believes it is a good thing for someone to use any such lobby as a means to gain power. I don't care if they are the pro-choice lobby, or the pro-life lobby, it is bad news.

More importantly, I am having a difficult time understanding how this lobby causes sexuality to be controversial. Can I start a lobby against surfboards and make surfing controversial? Isn't it the inherent controversy in sexuality that allows this Dobson fellow to profit from it?

For instance, there does not seem to be any other explanation for the notion that homosexual marriages destroy the sanctity of heterosexual marriages than that the notion was concocted by elites like James Dobson as a means of gaining power and controlling people. Because the notion has absolutely no intellectual or scientific merit. And since it has no intellectual or scientific merit, it is permissible to ask who benefits from promulgating such rubbish? Well, the answer seems to be that elites like James Dobson gain quite a bit from promulgating such rubbish.

The problem with your assertion is that an overwhelming majority of voters agree with Dobson, yet I doubt many of them have even heard of him. If you do not see any merit of such a position you may not be trying to understand these people and where they are coming from.

 

[mrscardero]

Why is human sexuality so controversial?

Are there anything else that is controversial besides human sexuality?

Take religion, politics, race, etc. for example. Is there no controversy in these examples?

Any discussion will be marked by the expression of opposing views. Not everyone will agree. That's because everyone is different. Everyone has their own views.

Things are controversial because it's power. Example:

Human sexuality (outlet) and those with the expression of opposing views (plug for the lamp). Outlets feed energy into the plug to turn the light on. When human sexuality is discussed with the expression of opposing views, that light turns on. With out the controversy of human sexuality or other controversial things, there is nothing but darkness. Sheer Boredom.


When you go see a movie with a friend and you both discuss how the movie is and you both have opposing views, how long does that controversy last? Not longer than human sexuality. Why is that? Because it's just a movie.
Human sexuality is all around us like everything else that can have expressions of opposing views. It's something to talk about. Something to do. Something to feed on.

Like I typed before...Some people don't get it.

 

[ker krypter]

sex was great until christian church/state took over. power over people began with constantines church 330 a.d. and ruled for 1300 yrs
still people are brainwashed to this day about sex

 

[brandie]

people just fear what they dont understand