The Relationship between Technology and Sexuality and Romantic Relationships - Essay Example

The Relationship between Technology and Sexuality and Romantic Relationships The emergence and advancement of various forms of technology has transformed almost all aspects of our lives and the society at large. Our sexuality and intimate relationships have also been changed by the technology and some posits that the bodies, sexuality and identities are all transformed by the encounters with technology, and the emerging technologies like the internet and social network sites play a significant role in facilitating sexual risk behaviors. The invention of sex toys, birth control pills, and Viagra has really contributed in changing individuals’ sexuality in the society. More so, sexual explicit materials are available in the internet and can be accessed by anyone including children who are internet users and this has led to an increase in irresponsible sexual behaviors including rape. The internet technology makes it easy to view and buy vibrators and other sex toys and pornographic materials (Carroll, 2010). In addition, societal members especially teenagers tend to engage in sexting when they are online. Lastly, with the advancement of technologies, online dating has emerged as many people search for partners online especially through social network sites and online dating sites. This essay explores the relationship between technology and sexuality and romantic relationships covering issues such as sex toys, contraception, Viagra, pornography and rape, sexting and cybersex, and online dating. The invention of sex toys such as dildos and vibrators have also revolutionized human sexuality has it has promoted homosexuality and same sex marriages in the society. Sex toys are used to enhance sexual pleasure during intercourse and they are mainly used on or around the genitals and can be used when alone or with partners. In most cases, homosexuals, both gays and lesbians use sex toys to enhance their sexual pleasure. Moreover, the invention of contraception has greater impact on individuals’ sexuality. For instance, many people engage in irresponsible sexual behaviors and using these birth control methods to protect themselves from pregnancy but they do not care about being infected by sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS. The availability and use of contraception allow individuals to engage in sexual activities and control pregnancy. This has interfered with the traditional purpose of sexuality, procreation, as women in the modern world have the ability to decide whether they want to have babies or not. In addition, technology such as cloning has allowed those who cannot have babies or those who do not want to carry babies to have children just like other people. More so, oral contraception are believed to lower sex drive and many women using contraceptives experience libido malfunction and this negatively affects sexuality and intimate relationships. In some cases, the use of contraception for a longer period may cause infertility. Furthermore, technology has changed human sexuality as it has facilitated the use of drugs such as Viagra to enhance sexual experience but this drug has been linked with high risk sexual behavior. Many men use it to ensure that they fully satisfy their partners. The growth of internet has led increased exposure to pornography because there is lack of sexual boundaries and so many individuals are more likely to be exposed to sexuality explicit materials at a much younger age. Exposure to pornographic materials negatively affects individuals’ sexuality and their intimate relationship and also increases rates of sexual crimes Pornography refers to the portrayal of sexual subject matter for the purpose of sexual arousal. It refers to any sexually explicit material displaying violet behaviour in most cases. Technology has enabled individuals to easily access sexually explicit materials from the internet. Today, sex is all over television and many movies intended for children have sexual content that expose children to early sexual practice (Carroll, 2010). Pornography in the society leads to sexual dysfunction, rape, and difficulties with sexual relationships among others. Arguably, watching pornography greatly affects individuals’ sexual behaviours which in turn influence their relationships negatively. Addiction to porn sex or porn images influences individuals’ sexual experience in general making them to be sexually dysfunctional since the real sexual experiences do not arouse these addicts. Early exposure to sexually explicit materials negatively affects individuals’ sexual satisfaction because these materials are believed to suppress individuals’ intimacy. In addition, these sexually explicit materials shape and influence sexual imaginations and expressions of individuals in the society. Moreover, exposure to pornographic films negatively influence sexuality and relationship today as it has been noted that, instead of liberating or empowering individuals, pornography provides a set of sex acts that are not connected with human emotions or intimacy. Pornographic films creates false expectations to men about what women want to be satisfied sexually such as aggressiveness, multiple sexual partners, and verbal abuse among others. Scholars posit that pornography encourages aggressive sex within or outside marriage (Dellner, 2008). Technologies such as mobile phones has encouraged individuals especially teenagers to engage in sexting. Many people begin sexting at a younger age because most of them have mobile phones when they are young. Sexting can be defined as the creation and dissemination of sexually explicit photographs through mobile phones. It refers to sending sexually suggestive photographs or text messages through the internet, mobile phones or other electronic devices and it is mostly associated with young adults (Burrell, 2013). It can involve the use of mobile phones to capture sexuality explicit image and circulate them by sending the photographs through SMS from phone to phone or uploading them on social networking sites. More so, digital video recordings of sexual assaults by perpetrators are common phenomena and this indicates the relationship between sexual violence and mobile phone technology. In addition, other people engage in cybersex and they spread some of their nude pictures to their friends. Cybersex or internet sex refers to sexual activity or discussion through a computer and it introduces young adults to pornography and sexual activity (Burrell, 2013). Uploading nude pictures on social networking sites encourages hackers to have these images and they may use them to exploit or bully the owner. This is why sexting and cybersex is not encouraged and teenagers should not practice these so as to be safe from bullies. With the easy access to online technology and interfaces such as the internet, online dating has become a popular option for many people and it has revolutionized the dating pattern today. Online dating has completely changed the way individuals meet and relate with each other and establish relationships (Kriger, 2014). Many people who meet through online dating have established a strong friendship bonds and these dating sites assist some people to find love and happy relationships. The lives of many individuals have been transformed through online encounters. Online dating enables individuals to know and interact with different people across the globe and share their common interests. More so, it helps those individuals who are nervous in the presence of the opposite sex to easily interact with others without meeting them personally. In addition, those with negative body image find online dating to be comfortable since they get to know the other person behind the face. Anonymity in online dating enables individuals to interact freely. According to McGlotten (2013), virtual intimacies influenced by virtual technologies and this affect human relationships. However, there is no privacy in online dating especially when people share or post their personal information on a dating site and sharing personal information is always a risk because people can use it against the person, hack the account and it can also put the person’s life in danger. Online dating is not safe because internet is not always the safest place to interact and share important information (Targosz, 2010). In addition, not every person on the dating site is interested in meeting someone special and so some people may give inaccurate information about age, marital status and educational background when dating online. Lack of honesty is a common challenge that those engaging in online dating face (Targosz, 2010). In conclusion, advancement in technology has really changed sexuality and romantic relationships among social members. Today, there is increased exposure to pornographic materials due to the growth of internet. Many people including children are exposed to pornographic videos at a younger age and this significantly affects their sexuality and intimate relationships later on. Moreover, exposure to pornographic materials has led to increased cases of irresponsible sexual behaviors in the society. Pornography has also encourage rape and sexual aggressiveness among those exposed to such materials. In addition, the invention of birth control pills has changed sexuality since it has been noted that oral contraception lowers individuals’ sex drive and causes libido malfunction. Moreover, the emergence of vibrators and other sex toys have also impacted on sexuality and romantic relationships as many people use these devices to enhance sexual pleasure. Again, many men use Viagra to enhance their sexual experience and be able to fully satisfy their partners. Furthermore, the advancement in internet, mobile phone and computer technologies has led to emergence of sexting and cybersex. Sexting is commonly practiced by young adults but both teenagers and adults may engage in cybersex. Sexting involves texting or uploading nude pictures on social networking sites and such pictures can be used by perpetrators to bully owners. On the other hand, cybersex involves engaging in sexual activity or discussion through the use of a computer. Lastly, internet technology has transformed the way individuals meet and develop relationships following the emergence of online dating and this has really changed the way societal members search for partners and develop relationships. Therefore, it is undeniable that there is a relationship between technology and sexuality and romantic relationship. References Burrell, B. (2013). Love, sex, & marriage. Dartford: Xlibris. Carroll, J. L. (2010). Sexuality now: Embracing diversity. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth CENGAGE Learning. Dellner, Danielle K. (2008). Pornography Use, Relationship Functioning and Sexual Satisfaction: The Mediating Role of Differentiation in Committed Relationships. ProQuest. Kriger, John K. (2014). Turned on and Tuned Out: A Practical Guide to Understanding and Managing Tech Dependence. West Bow Pr. McGlotten, S. (2013). Virtual Intimacies: Media, Affect, and Queer Sociality. New York: State Univ of New York Pr Targosz, C. (2010). Dating the Younger Man: Guide to Every Womans Sweetest Indulgence. Cincinnati: F+W Media. Read More