Socio-Cultural Influences on Sexuality There is nothing that sparks a debate more than the topic of sexuality. The multitude of opinions in societies displays an attempt to define, promote, or control sexuality. Sexuality is a part of our humanity in which defines sex, gender identities, gender roles, sexual orientation, pleasure, intimacy, and instigates procreation. Though, sexuality is experienced and expressed through thoughts, desires, beliefs, attitudes, values, roles, behaviours, and relationships; it is greatly influenced by societies, cultures, historical perspectives, religious perspectives, biological forces, psychological theories, ethics, morals, and legal factors. In the United States, known as the “melting pot” because of the mass amounts of cultural influences brought in by immigrants worldwide that now reside on its land; one of the biggest concerns in regards to sexuality are the social and public health challenges that influence sexual behaviours, attitudes, and beliefs. Sexual behavior in not just a personal matter between two people, but rather a theme that can affect society in terms of social expectations for sexual behaviors, gender identity, roles, stereotypes, and bias.
Social Expectations on Sexual Behaviors “Sexuality is an important part of our lives” (King, 2012, p.1), currently and amongst the generations before us. Throughout history, sexual behaviours have been largely influenced by culture, religion, and historical perspectives which in turn created social expectations or social norms. Social expectations vary from culture to culture as well as within subcultures. “These cultural practices, values, norms, and traditions have strong influences on the visible aspects of individual behaviors and are important determinants of men’s and women’s vulnerabilities” (ICASO, 2013). Yet, it is religion that has dominated the influences of sexual behaviors throughout history leading to social expectations and differences in attitudes and beliefs. Biblical Jews had strong beliefs “that the primary purpose of sex was for procreation” (King, 2012, p. 9). Religious beliefs and the different perspectives vary throughout cultures and societies. Many negative beliefs and attitudes about sexuality stem from the influences of religion. Social expectations throughout time have challenged beliefs and attitudes about sexuality including gender identity, gender roles, stereotypes, and bias. In Western society, one of the most influential eras of all time leading to the changes in attitudes, beliefs, and social expectations in regards to sexual behaviors was the Victorian era. Theorist, Alfred Kinsey contributed to the advancement of understanding sexuality in a society that misunderstood and misinterpreted human sexuality and sexual behaviours. His findings led to the start of a social change and a pattern of sexual behaviours that would change sexual history forever. During that era, Kinsey suggested that many of the sexual beliefs stemmed from the aristocrats of society whom used religion to base their opinions and laws in regards to sexual behaviors. According to The Kinsey Institute, they stated the following:
Kinsey described how marriage counselor’s, most of whom came from the upper social level, imposed their concepts of sexual normality on lower-level couples, where they did not fit. More important, those who determined the laws came from the upper social level; thus, in Kinsey’s analysis, most of the laws regulating sexual behavior, at the time of his writing, not only had a long background in religious doctrine, but were more consistent with the “sexual morality” of the upper social levels, and were inconsistent with accepted standards of “natural” sexual behavior in the lower social levels. (The Kinsey Institute, 2013).
Presently, our society has evolved drastically from the Victorian era. Social expectations and influences have changed our sexual behaviours as we have evolved into a very permissive and provocative society. Current sexual beliefs and attitudes primarily stem from mixed messages received during early child as suggested by the author of Human Sexuality Today (King, 2012) when he states the following:
In many ways our behavior is permissive-we live during the so-called sexual revolution-but our attitudes about sex are often less than positive. The constant emphasis on sex on TV, in movies, in magazines, and on the radio gives children one type of message – sex is fun, sex is exciting, and sex is great. At the same time, these same children get another type of message from their parents, school, and church – sex is not for you! Is it any wonder that many Americans are confused about sex? (King, 2012, p. 9).
Through the advancement of technology and mass media, we are continuously flooded with societal influences that plague our thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs about sexuality. The instant access to pornography, obscenities, and sexual advertisements are just a click away and can be viewed on computers, electronic devices, cell phones, and televisions. “In short, a majority of young Americans now accept sexually explicit content in the mass media and believe that adults should have the right to obtain it” (King, 2012, p. 415). The permissive, yet repressed society we live in affects the development of sexual identity, gender identity, gender roles, and creates social expectations leading to bias and stereotyping. Matter of fact, many people discriminate and are intolerant of those who they perceive as being different. “Youth described feeling de-valued within the mainstream adult society and expressed feelings of alienation and anxiety, particularly as they recalled their experiences of trying to understand and contextualize their sexual behavior as teenagers” (Shoveller, Johnson, Langille, & Mitchell, 2004). So, instead of feeling like they are a part of the community, many adolescents are made to feel like outsiders. Many adolescents describe feeling “hate and persecuted by adults. In analyzing their struggles to situate their sexual behavior in context, they tend to recall feeling relegated to powerless, negative, and devalued social positions” (Shoveller, Johnson, Langille, & Mitchell, 2004). Homosexuality is another area where society places expectations on sexual behaviors. Homosexuality is often viewed by others as being immoral and unfortunately, homosexual men happen to be the target of prejudice more than women. “Homosexuals are often victims of hate crimes” (King, 2012, p. 232) and “over 90% of gay men have been verbally abused or threatened” (King, 2012, p. 232). Negative attitudes about homosexuality or bisexuality tend to stem from homophobia which is a result of their irrational fears. Socio-cultural expectations make it very difficult for homosexuals and bisexuals to disclose their sexual identity or be able to outwardly express themselves. “Because so many people have a negative opinion of it, recognizing that one is gay or lesbian is often a lonely and painful experience” (King, 2012, p. 234). Many people choose to hide their sexual orientation from others. People’s control over their sexual lives and choices is often shaped by gender-related values and norms which define masculinity and femininity. “These culturally-defined gender values and norms evolve through a process of socialization starting from an early stage of infancy” (ICASO, 2013). Socio-cultural influences propose ideas and generate expectations in regards to masculinity and femininity which in turn allow for a society that creates unequal power struggles between men and women. “This power imbalance impacts women’s and men’s access to key resources, information, and their sexual interactions. It curtails women’s sexual autonomy and expands men’s sexual freedom and control over sexuality” (ICASO, 2013). Many men believe that masculinity refers to them being more dominant, knowledgeable, and experienced with sex; whereas, women are viewed as submissive, passive, and less sexually experienced. These assumptions promote sexual promiscuity and encourage risky behaviors.
Summary
In conclusion, socio-cultural influences display a multitude of opinions that attempt to define, promote, or control sexuality. Sexuality is what defines sex, gender identities, gender roles, and sexual orientation. Yet, historical perspectives, religious influences, and culture, place a huge role on influencing our thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes which in turn challenge our sexual behaviors and social expectations. Sexuality is a part of our humanity but our behaviors can impact society both negatively and positively.

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References

King, B. (2012). Human Sexuality Today, 7th Edition. Prentice Hall Publishing. Upper Saddle River, NJ.
ICASO. (2013). Socio-Cultural Factors: Gender, Sexuality, Rights, and HIV. Retrieved from: http://icaso.org/publications/gender_EN_3.pdf
Shoveller, J., Johnson, J., Langille, D., & Mitchell, T. (August 2004). Socio-cultural Influences On Young People's Sexual Development. Social Science & Medicine, volume 59 (3). Pages

473-487, ISSN 0277-9536. Retrieved from: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed

.2003.11.017.(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953603006014)
The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction, Inc. (2013). The Kinsey Institute: Advancing Sexual Health and Knowledge Worldwide: Biographical Materials On Alfred Kinsey. Retrieved from: http://www.kinseyinstitute.org/about/kinseybio.html