...The Question of Sexuality Shakespeare is known for being one of the greatest play writers of all time. Due to his clever use of language and rhyme, many people like to use his work when teaching literature or drama. He is also notorious for implying religious beliefs and suggesting themes that may not be well accepted during his time. One of these major themes in Twelfth Night happens to be the question of sexual identity throughout the play. From the beginning until the end of the play, Shakespeare shows how the idea of sexual identity can be questionable and how it affects the main characters throughout the play. As the play Twelfth Night begins, the reader gets a first glance at how Shakespeare suggests the idea of cross dressing through Viola, who poses as Cesario in order to work for Orsino. “For such disguise as haply shall become the form of my intent,” here Viola tells the Captain her plans and asks him to keep quiet. Wearing her brother’s clothing, she disguises herself to be a man because she fancied Orsino and to get closer to him. In this scene Shakespeare raises the question of Viola’s sexuality because of her cross dressing. Even though the idea of cross dressing seems to be over stepping social acceptance bounds, it is also ironic considering that theatre at the time always contained cross dressing if a play consisted of female parts. Viola’s relationship with Orsino progresses rapidly in a matter of a few days which helps to understand how Viola...
Words: 1110 - Pages: 5
...Sexuality over the years has been a very debatable topic and has lead many to different understanding based on their own ideologies as it relates to gender and sexuality. These beliefs have shaped our society as to the appropriateness of sexual behavior as it relates to masculinity and femininity. First let us look at the how sexuality was viewed in ancient times. “The origins of sexual orientation have long since been a question that scientists and psychologists have longed to find an answer. While there has recently been more and more reliable and unbiased studies done in past and present years, there are still no conclusive answers as to what makes a person hetero- or homo- sexual. Many theories have been and still are being developed on what causes different sexual orientations. They range from the way the child is brought up within his family, from inheriting specific genes, hormonal imbalances, brain “mis-wirings” and other environmental factors. Familial and environmental influence tends to be one of the most supported and believed theories of the causation of sexual orientation. Many researchers and other psychological professionals believe that whether a person becomes heterosexual or homosexual is determined and greatly influenced by the type of environment they have experienced as a child. For example twin studies have shown that “52% of the MZ co-twins of male homosexual twins were also homosexual or bisexual. For DZ male twins, this fell to 22%” (“Genetics & Human...
Words: 1976 - Pages: 8
...an accessory to sex to have privacy Felons that needed punishment received vasectomy’s 1920’s Prohibition was happening New behaviors of women: Jazz clubs and danced, cigarettes and alcohol, rode bikes and drove cars 1930’s and 1940’s The great depression makes women return to being more conservative New laws for women’s right to legal access to contraceptive info/devices World War II Post war back to traditional roles Baby boom began because all men were coming back from the war Televisions became a “must have” Development of penicillin to cure STI’s There was a different outlook on the war for men to have something to be excited about after war 1950’s -1970’s Alfred Kinsey published book about male and female sexuality 1960: FDA approved distribution of Enovid (1st oral contraceptive) Men are volunteering vasectomies 1973: Roe vs. Wade – abortion is legal Homosexuality no longer labeled a mental disorder 1980’s First AIDS diagnosis LGBTQ first male-male romantic kiss More Internet available for pornography and cybersex HPV vaccine 1988 Viagra approved and available In what ways are the views of sexually in the United States the same from the early 1900’s to today? How are they different? What/who are the key influences responsible for any changes in views...
Words: 659 - Pages: 3
...Catholic teachings on sexual morality draw from what the Church considers to be natural law, sacred scripture and sacred tradition and are promulgated authoritatively by the Magisterium. Sexual morality evaluates sexual behavior according to Catholic standards of morality, and often provides general principles by which Catholics are able to evaluate whether specific actions meet these standards. Much of the Church's detailed doctrines derive from the principle that "sexual pleasure is morally disordered when sought for itself, isolated from its procreative and unitive [between spouses] purposes".[1] The Catholic Church teaches that human life and human sexuality are inseparable.[2] Because Catholics believe God created human beings in his own image and likeness and that he found everything he created to be "very good,"[3] the Catholic Church teaches that human body and sex must likewise be good. The Church considers the expression of love between husband and wife to be an elevated form of human activity, joining as it does, husband and wife in complete mutual self-giving, and opening their relationship to new life. “The sexual activity, in which husband and wife are intimately and chastely united with one another, through which human life is transmitted, is, as the recent Council recalled, ‘noble and worthy.’”[4] In cases in which sexual expression is sought outside sacramental marriage, or in which the procreative function of sexual expression within marriage is deliberately...
Words: 365 - Pages: 2
...Research Methods Maria Nagy The issue that one might be interested in studying could be homosexual. After reading the section on Edward O. Laumann, “The National Health and Social Life Surveys”. In 1989 the National Academy of Science’s National Research Council asked the federal agencies to fund new surveys of sexual behavior in order to help with AIDS prevention (pg21). The need to study and the reason to study the issue at hand is to be able to make people understand the consequences for having sex with the same sex might be taboo and a health risk. To be able to make the public away of safe and health solutions to ones sex preference. Continue with facts and not myths. Knowledge is very important when it comes to health and practice. The type of research that and can be used for this issue is to first find qualified participants, regardless of their age, sex, sexual preference and marriage situation . Figure out a time span for how long this should be studied for having somewhat of a balance between the genders without having a large gap between genders. A face to face interview with trained medical professionals, then question them on the information that was collected. Then continue to compile the information, first from the men’s side then the women. The one thing that can be learned by this type of research is that homosexuality is not what we have been told once and they we have no choice as to what sex preference one might have. Under the Natural Law Theory...
Words: 358 - Pages: 2
...Sexuality Research Paper Introduction: The question of sexuality is on that needs that needs thorough analysis in order to determine the implication brought about by the depiction of sex and sexuality through the use of print media. The depiction of human sexuality can be separated into two parts, male and female sexuality. These two forms vary according to the differences in the gender of the persons involved. Objective: The main objective of this paper is to study, keenly, the research methods used in two literatures, and to provide an analysis of the literatures on sexual imagery. The two literatures were compiled by different people to show how various forms of male and female sexuality are constructed in different publications. The two articles are similar because they both talk about the depiction of women in various forms of print advertisements especially in magazines. However, as Sexuality focuses mostly on the sexuality and people’s view of sex, as well as, their feelings and preferences in sex, The European Journal of Marketing, focuses mostly on the picture of women that is painted representing women as either sexual objects or feminine sexual goddesses. The European Journal of Marketing also focuses on the position of women and their sex roles in the community. In the article, the various sex roles that women play have been reviewed. It has also compared the power of women, in sex, over men, and that of men over women as well. *Fravid and Braun (2006) what...
Words: 1636 - Pages: 7
...Sex and Sexuality: Having the Conversation with Our Children Tyra M. Robinson Professor Stacy Hurley Sociology 101 July 23, 2012 Sex and Sexuality: Having the Conversation with Our Children In many countries talking about sex is treated as taboo. (Macionis, 2009, p. 192) Parents are not talk to their children about it. They just tell them not to have it until they are married, and a child’s extent of conversation about sex is asking, “Where do babies come from?” during adolescence. But is this really enough? Is the lack of knowledge on the topic ruining the social outlook on sex and sexuality in our Society? Not talking to our children about sex and sexuality at home leaves them to learn about it from outside sources such as, school, peers and media. Through these sources they might learn how to put on a condom and birth control, sexual diseases, pregnancy and abortion. But what about their sexuality, gender, incest, homosexuality and other sexual issues like rape and molestation? As much as some of these topics may frighten us as parents to talk about with our children, the harsh reality is, they need to know. They should know that sexuality is about more than just having sex. That sexuality is a theme found almost everywhere, and it is an important part of how we think about ourselves, as well as how other think about us (Macionis, 2009, p. 192). Let them know that sex can be pleasurable, but it can also be very confusing and frightening, and this is okay...
Words: 1263 - Pages: 6
...HUMAN SEXUALITY AND SEX I. Definition Human sexuality is the expression of sexual sensation and related intimacy between human beings. Psychologically, sexuality is the means to express the fullness of love between a man and a woman. Biologically, it is the means through which a child is conceived and the lineage is passed on to the next generation. And it involves the body, mind, and spirit. There are a great many forms of human sexuality, comprising a broad range of behaviors, and sexual expression varies across cultures and historical periods. Yet the basic principles of human sexuality are universal and integral to what it means to be human. Sex is related to the very purpose of human existence: love, procreation, and family. Sexuality has social ramifications; therefore most societies set limits, through social norms and taboos, moral and religious guidelines, and legal constraints on what is permissible sexual behavior. DID YOU KNOW? Human sexual activity is more than a physical activity; it impacts the minds and hearts as well as the bodies of the participants. People may experiment with a range of sexual activities during their lives, though they tend to engage in only a few of these regularly. However, most societies have defined some sexual activities as inappropriate (wrong person, wrong activity, wrong place, wrong time, and so forth).The most widespread sexual norm historically, and the norm promoted nearly universally by the world's religions, is that...
Words: 932 - Pages: 4
...Explain the major factors or historical foundation that contributed to making the selected social issue important for sociological consideration Human sexuality is defines as an area of research and study that focuses on all aspects of humans as sexual beings. Basically, human sexuality involves much more than anatomy and sexual responses, but incorporates how we engage in relationships and behaviors that determine our desires and sexual identity as well as our overall sexual health, well-being, and our perceptions and expressions (Hockenbury and Hockenbury, 2006). There are many factors that help develop our sexuality, arguably one of the most important, is our actual gender. Whether, I am a female or male will likely have a major influence on the development of my individual sexuality. Furthermore, sexuality is an integral part of our personalities whether we are aware of it or not. Although Human sexuality is a normal part of life and everyday development, there are several sides to human sexuality and how we behave as human beings. There is the impact on aging in sexuality, sex and violence, and sexuality (Hockenbury and Hockenbury, 2006). One of the historical events was the sexual revolution in American come of age in the late 1960s. The Playboy magazine became the most popular in America. Also in the 1960s sexual mores was upside-down. First was the technology of birth control. The birth control pill was perfected, for the first time giving women the freedom...
Words: 1173 - Pages: 5
...The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy - http://www.iep.utm.edu Philosophy of Sexuality Among the many topics explored by the philosophy of sexuality are procreation, contraception, celibacy, marriage, adultery, casual sex, flirting, prostitution, homosexuality, masturbation, seduction, rape, sexual harassment, sadomasochism, pornography, bestiality, and pedophilia. What do all these things have in common? All are related in various ways to the vast domain of human sexuality. That is, they are related, on the one hand, to the human desires and activities that involve the search for and attainment of sexual pleasure or satisfaction and, on the other hand, to the human desires and activities that involve the creation of new human beings. For it is a natural feature of human beings that certain sorts of behaviors and certain bodily organs are and can be employed either for pleasure or for reproduction, or for both. The philosophy of sexuality explores these topics both conceptually and normatively. Conceptual analysis is carried out in the philosophy of sexuality in order to clarify the fundamental notions of sexual desire and sexual activity. Conceptual analysis is also carried out in attempting to arrive at satisfactory definitions of adultery, prostitution, rape, pornography, and so forth. Conceptual analysis (for example: what are the distinctive features of a desire that make it sexual desire instead of something else? In what ways does seduction differ from nonviolent rape...
Words: 9578 - Pages: 39
...Internet and Sexuality 2. Sex is always around us and it comes in many forms, from billboards, television, magazines, internet and of course everyday life. Who would have thought fifty years ago that you would be able to view sexual nature content at any given moment all in the comfort of you home. The internet provides us with the freedom to explore sex like never before and because of this “freedom” I believe that it has change many people views on sexuality, good or bad it has changed and this can be both beneficial and harmful on the views of sex. There are many negative and positive views on how sex is portrayed on the internet and more importantly who are these viewers that can access sexual content. I will give my opinion on both the negative and positive on how the internet can change ones views on sexuality. Lets start with the negative. I feel sex is overly glamorized and this glorification is widely accepted in society today. This can cause young children and young adults to think that sex is not a scared thing shared between two adults but instead shared for any and anyone, For instance, Adult porn is a growing and successful business. Porn is easy to find and access through the internet. No need to be over the age of eighteen, there are a few sites that have blockers up and the ones that do just have a button to enter the site if you are over age. A curious child will enter see and learn many things that...
Words: 707 - Pages: 3
...Introduction Human sexuality plays a major role in everyone’s life, it aides in the definition of who we are and what we do and is the way in which we experience and express ourselves as sexual beings (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, 2010) Human sexuality; different from that of force driven animal instinct, is directed by a variety of different complex factors. Due to the complexity of human sexuality there has been much done by the way of research, theory and model development from past researchers such as Sigmund Freud, Henry Havelock Ellis, Alfred Kinsey, and the team of Masters and Johnson (King, 2012). This paper will explore some of the current contributors of research as well as factors leading to the development of human sexuality based upon: the biological perspective, gender identity and roles, sexual orientation, as well as the relation between these terms. Development of Human Sexuality Human sexuality is indeed the way in which we experience as well as express ourselves as sexual beings (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, 2010). Many theories have been developed regarding the development one’s gender identity and human sexuality; however it is argued that the most important factor to consider is our actual gender (DeLamater & Friedrich, 2002). Sigmund Freud’s “Freudian Theory” is based on the fact that each stage in life brings new milestones for human sexual development (King, 2012, p. 207). In the first year of life Freud believed that due to the occurrence...
Words: 499 - Pages: 2
...finally gave him the opportunity. Many people took the class, and many people were shocked at some of the material that was presented in the class. Kinsey had a few assistants, one named Clyde Martin in particular, who actually had sex with Kinsey in a hotel room for "experimental purposes." He eventually ended up having sex with Kinsey's wife too. Kinsey also had three children, a son and two daughters, and they would all talk about sex at dinner at night, which Kinsey's son didn't enjoy. Kinsey and his assistants, and their wives, had a strange relationship in that they would all switch partners on occasion. They were kind of like a big group of Swingers. Eventually Kinsey ended up being very publicly criticized for his work about female sexuality, but his wife and his close friends stayed with him. The movie seemed to very much show the stereotypical belief that there is only one way to have sex, and that it should not be talked about, and it should be for reproductive purposes only. People weren't supposed to masturbate, and people weren't supposed to participate in any...
Words: 383 - Pages: 2
...ANTHROPOLOGY 327: The Anthropology of Gender Sexualities Human sexuality is a very complex topic with several distinct components, including desires, practices, beliefs and attitudes, and identity. Human sexuality is clearly a product of both genetic and environmental factors. Twin studies focusing on homosexuality suggest a 40-60% contribution from either set of factors (the results vary depending on the study). The actual mechanisms for determination, both environmental and genetic, remain unclear at present. Human sexuality is bewildering in its variety and elaboration. Desire and practice vary along multiple dimensions which interact in complex ways. In consequence, we cannot adequately describe the full range of human sexuality with a single simple term. Sources for Human Sexuality Sexuality is one of the most closely regulated activities in every human society. It is therefore difficult to ascertain what is “natural” (biological) and what is cultural (learned). Anthropology has historically shared the general Western reticence regarding sex and has seldom made sexuality a central topic of research. Margaret Mead and a few others did some research on the topic and it is sometimes included in general ethnographic studies. Proper scholarly study of human sexuality really begins with Alfred Kinsey and continues through Masters and Johnson and the Social Science Survey Project. While there has been a dramatic increase in research on the topic in the past 30 years, it is still...
Words: 3267 - Pages: 14
...Theology of Sexuality Liberty University Abstract It sells in advertising, it one of the major draws in movies and TV dramas, it is characterized in almost every sense of living in today’s society; the it that is mostly third party spoken of is sex and sexuality. In the Christian faith, the issue of sex and sexuality is normally an abrupt address with little understanding but with many standards of do’s and don’ts. The Bible is not really discreet in the explanation of sex and sexuality as the spokespeople that speak on this subject. Sex is a topic that really matters in this society. It defines the young generation in their dress, it drives the middle age in their outlook, and it now has the elderly generation seeking medical advances to keep it going longer. How can there be an avoidance of such a topic. This paper seeks to explore the theology of sexuality by using support by biblical and theological hermeneutics, as well as ethical or normative stances on the major role that sex and sexuality play in both the person as an individual and in the institution of marriage. Keywords: sex, sexuality, theology, Bible Theology of Sexuality One of the most private and intimate encounters in our society is sex and the display of its affection and passion. When sex or sexuality is spoken of it is normally done within the confines of the two people that are planning to engage or a group of people who have assembled with knowledge of the content of the subject that will...
Words: 2987 - Pages: 12
