Gender and Sexuality: Ethical Beliefs about Sexuality - Term Paper Example

Gender and Sexuality Gender and Sexuality have been topics discussed in many forums due to misunderstanding of these two terms. Gender mainly refers to the behaviors and social roles that a given culture relates with in regard to men and women. These behaviors have to be compatible with cultural gender perceptions of a given society. These perceptions create feelings, attitudes, and behaviors that a given culture creates for different sexes. However, distinct to gender, which often refers to social or cultural differences, sexuality refers to physiological and biological differences or status classified as female and male, or intersex. Nevertheless, the way a person expresses gender and sexuality may not be consistent with social prospects of a given gender. Gender communications may not always match or reflect socially arranged gender identity. Gender and Sexuality Ethical Beliefs about Sexuality According to Beasley (2005), ethical beliefs and conduct about sexuality are influenced and accustomed by various things. However, moral and ethical believes and conduct are molded and accustomed by the upbringing of an individual, social influence, exposure to religion, interaction with one another, and perceptions of the society in which people grow. The human race as a social creation will often tend to gather together in similar groupings that share the same ethical beliefs and conducts. This can be seen in individual families that may have distinct ethical believes that every family member is expected to exercise. However, regardless of the social influences we face, each person has an ultimate free will to decide on what is moral and ethical. There has been conflicting views on how to determine what is ethical, just, and moral. According to Sloop (2004), ethics is the logical attempt to comprehend the underlying basis of responsibility, and to express fitting codes of behavior or attitudes to the general life. Sexual ethics, commonly referred to as sexual morality, relates to a personal or community standard in regard to interpersonal relationships, which involves sex. There are those who hold the view that nothing is essentially wrong or right. On the contrary, others believe that sexual ethics should be evaluated in the context of each other’s culture practices and convictions. From another perspective, there are those who are of the idea that moral assessment is objectively true or false, meaning that everyone should act in harmony with the prevailing ethical customs (Beasley, 2005). In the Christian circles, sexual ethics has been a highly controversial issue. The Christian community is divided over various issues like gay lifestyle, masturbation, abortions and use of contraceptives. In the Catholic Church teachings, for example, sexual ethics do not just involve the actions to be made, but rather link morality with the teachings of the Bible to remain pure and true before God and man. Sex outside Marriage Sex outside marriage has always carried a moral or religious association that varies between cultures, religions, and societies. Sex has always been viewed as a powerful tool that can either destroy or mend relationships and families depending on how it is used. The Christian faith believes that sex is a gift from God, to help in procreation and for pleasure. The Christian faith goes on to believe that when it is practiced outside marriage then, it destroys. Christians refer to both Hebrew and Greek scriptures to base the argument that sex outside marriage is wrong. Undoubtedly, there are consequences for the sexually active person. Dangers like emotional hurting emanating from multiple sex partners are common (Beasley, 2005). Other common dangers are sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies. Sex before marriage is prevalent in modern times among young people. This was not the trend few years ago. Sexual activity among the youth captures their psychology, and academic and social development. Recent studies carried out by Gallup show that when unmarried persons involve in premarital sex, their performance in schools drop immensely (Sloop, 2004). The research goes on to say that one’s social relationships are hugely affected, either with family or friends. The reason behind this is that the young people cannot deal with the sensitive sex drive which, therefore, dictates their lives (Beasley, 2005). According to Sloop (2004), the majority of women do not enjoy sex outside the confines of marriage. He argues that a fulfilling sex life develops in peace and security of marriage. Sex before the marriage takes place in hidden places having to deal the fear of being caught, guilt, and acquiring unwanted pregnancy. All these elements weaken the enjoyment of premarital sex, especially in women. I am of the view that virginity is to be preserved for the most significant person in someone’s life, the person committed to staying in the marriage. Those who involve in sex before marriage are in extremely high risk of contracting common diseases like herpes which have no cure. Sex before marriage runs the risk of bearing children out of marriage. Scientific studies have shown that children born from single parents agonize psychologically. They face social challenges and academic performance (Sloop, 2004). Various studies have shown that when someone dates and does not involve in intimacy, the probability of forgetting the relationship after break up is high. Unfortunately, when a person is intimate with those dating, the nature of intimacy creates almost durable unpleasant memories of later relationships. The psychological challenges of dealing with effects of intimate breakups have the potential to damage a person’s character (Beasley, 2005). Abortion and Women’s Rights The issue of abortion involves the freedom of choice. There are those who support abortion while others oppose it. This has generated numerous protests and debates for many years. Abortion has been a highly contentious topic in today’s society. Beside abortion being in the public scenes, it is also a personal issue to a woman. Sometimes a woman can be faced with health issues that she has to make a decision on her health. In this instance, she should be allowed to have the right of choice on whether to abort or not without being dictated by law or social standards (Beasley, 2005). Sometimes a woman may need an abortion, and other times she does not need it. In some countries, procuring an abortion is illegal. A pregnant mother may develop complications during pregnancy, and the only remedy is abortion. Some hospitals refuse to procure an abortion citing legal concerns. This puts the life of the woman and the unborn child at risk. Some have died due to these complications at the time of their pregnancies. When an abortion is carried out, it is possible to save the life of the woman (Sloop, 2004). There comes a time when a woman is not ready to have a child. The decision should be solely hers. They should be allowed to choose whether to carry out an abortion or not. However, women should be informed of the agonizing experience that comes with abortion. There are risky biological complications that come from procuring an abortion. There have been cases of health complications where a woman has done an abortion. Some hospitals have recorded women losing their fallopian tubes or damages in their wound causing permanent inability to conceive. Many women have reported cases of psychological trauma after procuring an abortion (Beasley, 2005). Pursuit and Stalking Most people experience painful break-up from their relationship but refuse or face difficulty in letting go. They may continue sending flowers, phoning, and sending gifts in the effort of wanting to reconcile. The victim refuses to reconcile, but the pursuer keeps on pursuing. When this pursuit crosses the invisible line, it becomes stalking (Sloop, 2004). They begin to trail their victim’s private life; for example, following them wherever they go, or trying to access their phone log. They refuse to accept that their victim is not attracted in them anymore. The victim will always feel unsafe, vulnerable and confused of the stalkers intentions. Stalking is a criminal offence under subsection 264 of the criminal code, and the person stalking is liable to prosecution under this section (Beasley, 2005). The legal age of consent varies in many states. In Florida, the legal age is 18 years, with a “close in age” allowance allowed to teenagers of 16 years with an adult of up to 23 years. When one is below the stipulated age of consent, it is, therefore, illegal to engage in sex. When someone is found to have engaged in sex with a minor, then the adult can be prosecuted under statutory rape. Statutory is an offence under the law, which means that an adult has committed rape by engaging in a sexual act with a youth of under the set age of consent. This law applies to both genders indiscriminately (Beasley, 2005). It is never acceptable to cheat on ones partner at any one given time. When a relationship is not working well, it is always prudent to discontinue the unhealthy relationship. A relationship that is founded on infidelity does not last. It is always advisable to let the partner go rather than being unfaithful (Beasley, 2005). Unfaithfulness causes families to breakup and the biggest casualty is often the children. Their lives are turned upside down, causing disharmony in their growth and development because they will have to be brought up by a single parent in case of divorce. Same sex relationships and Marriage Same sex relationships are relationships between persons of the same gender, which take many forms. Some are sensual and romantic while others only have close relationships (Sloop, 2004). Recent studies have revealed that, same sex attraction is embedded in the genetic formation of an individual contrary to the common perception that it is due to preference. However, same sex marriage is legally acknowledged in a number of authorities, in the United States. Same sex marriage has always been a firestorm debate especially among Christians. Some Christian faith holds the view that same sex marriage or homosexuality is sinful, unethical, and totally unacceptable. Others, however, accepts the same sex marriages and have openly approved gay marriages (Beasley, 2005). The social environment around me has significantly shaped many aspects of my life. This has affected the way I think and relate with people in the general sense. Gender and sexuality, as I have discussed, is a thorny issue especially when viewed from the perceptions of various cultures and religions. There are perceptions that I have changed in regard to gender and sexuality, especially with regard to abortion in women and their rights to procure an abortion. Although society has taught us that homosexuality is wrong, I have also learnt to accept everyone regardless of their sexual preferences without discrimination. Education has immensely shaped my stand and influenced the way I perceive. When one is enlightened, the then old habits and ideas disappear. No one can deceive or mislead a person who understands, information is power. References Beasley, C. (2005). Gender and sexuality: Critical theories, critical thinkers. London: SAGE. Sloop, J. M. (2004). Disciplining gender: Rhetorics of sex identity in contemporary U.S. culture. Amherst, Mass: University of Massachusetts Press. Read More