Sexual Freedom - Essay Example

Gender and Sexuality Gender and sexuality has been a major issue discussed globally in the recent past. It has adversely affected how people associate with each other, with regard with what the society expects on the issue of sexuality. World Health Organization defines sexuality to be the general human life constituting different sex, gender roles and identities, sexual attractions, eroticism, sexual pleasures, sexual intimacy and the reproduction processes. Sexuality is experienced and expressed in thoughts, fantasies, desires, beliefs, attitudes, values, behaviors, practices, roles and relationships (WHO, 2004). Although not all of the above have not always been shown or experienced by everyone. Sexuality is under constant influence due to interactions experienced biologically, psychologically, different cultures, socio-economic and political changes, different religions and spiritual matters, legal and ethical factors. Sexuality and gender are the basic factors which build or destroy one’s life. In this paper, I have used different sources which argue out how the society has destroyed lives with their theory of being “normal” without even considering the interests of a person. Judith Butler’s book, Doing Justice to Someone: Sex Reassignment and Allegories of Transsexuality written in the year 2001 tries to point out the problems people undergo when their sexual freedom is not granted. Ideas held by the community about different sexualities can lead to both positive and negative outcomes. The view that women should be pure and maintain their virginity can lead to restrictions on their rights like freedom of association and mobility or even political participation, female genital mutilation or even honor killings. Women warned against the male association, even though the male are the ones going after them with great desires. They then serve to refuse the male to preserve their morality. They had to upkeep their virginity, not for themselves, but for their husbands who would love and appreciate a virgin woman over the others. Do men also avoid sex for their future women is what most women may want to know. Parents also want their girls virgin for their honor and finally enjoy the bride price when they marry them off. It is therefore not about the girl’s sake. Men also have pressures on the sexuality issue they are always expected to be macho, aggressive with dominance in the sexual control. They should always be on the urge for sex, which is uncontrollable to them. The society always expects one to be a 100% normal least you be casted out and marginalized. Sexuality is affected by gender norms. The social beliefs on sexuality matter always have effects on us. Gender expectations have been on the lead in the matters concerning sexuality. One is always expected to show either male or female characteristics which are far different from each other. Those who cannot fit on these are always discriminated and even face violent repercussions from the society. Lesbians, bisexuals, gays, and transgender always find themselves stigmatized or even facing the law for their unrecognized ways. This insinuates that the society expects a “normal” person to show the stereotype manners, and have sexual relations with persons of the opposite sex only (Judith, 2001) In the book The Arena of Masculinity chapter two, Sexual Mythologies, Brian Pronger argues of the different genders and their sexuality. Each gender faces different challenges on their sexuality. Most of the sexuality issues have always been used to control women in the society. Their chastity has been upheld so much, underrating their freedoms to education, mobility or even political participation. They believe that interactions between girls and boys can increase their sexual desires between them. They also fear that once a girl is educated, she may delay her marriage or even refuse their marriage arrangement which is a great dishonor to the community as well as lack of bride price. Sexuality issues also relates to poverty problems. Problems associated with sexuality have been the cause or outcome of poverty. If a woman is not married, she does not get access to family wealth, which is always under the control of men even if they get married. Many women opt to engage in sex work to reduce their poverty problems which make them vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections. They also end up being bullied by men who doesn’t care about them as their payment matters. Gender inequality has been rated as a fuel to HIV/AIDS transmission. Women are considered lower than men in a relationship, taking orders from them even on sex matters. This prevents them from negotiating for safer sex or be allowed to maximize their own sexual desires. Men also have a challenge, being on the lead they are expected to be conversant on the safe sex methods, they never want to admit to their inconsistencies hence does not even consult on the woman’s desires. This makes them vulnerable to the STI infections. Gay marginalization makes them hide from the public, barring them from accessing information on the methods to avoid these infections. Sex workers also suffer from their clients who after paying them takes control of the sexual process without allowing them to choose a safe sex method (Brian, 1990). Family Care International wrote on the sexual and reproductive health basing their arguments on the Millennium Development Goals in their book, Millennium Development Goals and Sexual Reproductive health written in the year 2005. They argue that sexually free minds can work better into achieving the set goals that those who fail to satisfy themselves sexually. Even with the negative views given to the gender and sexuality issues, they have also been brought into the lime light of improving the society’s views. First, has been categorized as an important step to meeting the Millennium Development Goals. Sexual health and rights have been put in place to ensure attainment of the MDGs. Sexuality is also a contribution on the empowerment and general well-being. Liberties in the sexual world ensure the feeling of discrimination and vulnerability is avoided. The other important sexuality improvement is that it has been used in the political fields. Many policies concerning sexuality have been moved with great successes of discussions. The Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa in 2005, abortion legalization in Colombia in May, 2006 and the first transgender organization found in Africa in July 2006 are just but examples of great policies which received great support from the public(FCI, 2005). World Health Organization in Progress in Reproductive Health Research in the year 2004 point out how our reproductive health ensures better living. Improvements in the gender and sexuality fields need to be fostered to uphold free and fair world to live. Sexuality rights have recently been discussed in trial to improve justice within sexuality issues. Though they may receive pressures from different points, especially religion, they have made great achievements. Sexuality rights ensure everyone has equal opportunities and freedoms commonly underestimated by sexuality issues. The equality issue also solves the issue of gender oppression on certain people viewed to be lesser, for example women rights. Sexual rights also have greatly tried to fight the notion of culture dominance in the sexuality issue. The fight against FGM, common in many cultures, especially the Muslims have had great step in the girl child improvement. Education has also been improved in communities which never supported girl-child education. Equal inheritance also reduces the dependence of women on men; it also reduces the poverty problem commonly experienced by women (WHO, 2004). Our lives have been built on sexuality issues. All the texts I have discussed have openly brought out the importance of allowing free sexual choices in our society. The society should once and for all do away with the agenda on being “normal” or abnormal blaming games among ourselves. This will allow sexual freedom. We have struggled due to this issue even though we still hide it to ourselves, fearing the public view on us, pretending to be the “normal” persons the society wants us to be. This greatly denies the opportunity to fully experience the sexual feeling we have always wished to at least have a taste of it. The rules set by the society create some kind of prison for most people, encouraging discrimination and control over women. Sex freedom can be that change the society needs to embrace for the improvement of lives, bringing joy to everyone as they freely bond with those they have great feelings for. References Brian, P. (1990). The Arena of Masculinity: Sexual Mythology. New York: St. Martins Press. Judith, B. (2001). A Journalism of Lesbian and Gay Studies: Doing Justice to Someone: Sex Reassignment and Allegories of Transsexuality. Duke University Press. Family Care International. (2005). Millennium Development Goals & Sexual & Reproductive Health, Briefing Cards, New York: Family Care International. World Health Organization (WHO). (2004). Progress in Reproductive Health Research, No: 67. Geneva: WHO. Read More