Humans are social beings and live within communities. Human history reveals that they have always lived in communities where they interact, communicate, and learn from each other. Owing to this practice, different communities have to develop their cultural identities in terms of cultural beliefs, religious beliefs, cultural practices, norms, and taboos. These cultural objects were developed by communities as a way to create social control among the people. The development of acceptable and non-acceptable cultural norms has to influence the way human beings interact with their sexuality (Kinsey, 2008). Sexuality has largely been influenced by the cultural, social, and religious values that have been adopted within different communities.
Analysis/Discussion
The cultural influences on the sexual attitudes, beliefs, and norms of people living in communities can be viewed in different ways. First, culture can be seen in terms of the inherent traditional set of values communities develop. For instance, cultures in African communities such as the case is in Zambia condemn pre-marital sex and pregnancies. Emphasis on abstinence and virginity has greatly affected the way girls behave. This would be contrasted to liberal cultures such as the case in the US where a girl beyond 16 can make their own choices as regards to sexuality. Culture may also be viewed in terms of the religious values and doctrines passed on to the people. For instance, there are relatively few cases of extramarital cases in Islam where the punishment is fatal as compared to the Christian setting where there is liberalism (Douglas, 2008). The other angle of culture could be in terms of the familial culture where some family’s protectiveness toward girls and value of virginity and significance of raising a family may vary. All these would affect the sexual behaviors that would be undertaken by either gender.
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Conclusion
Conclusively, culture is found to have a significant impact on sexuality and sexual behaviors among people living in a given cultural setting. The study makes it clear that cultural practices including the way religion is promoted, social values are channeled, and values are taught; would affect human behaviors. In essence, culture has a significant influence in shaping the sexual behaviors of people living under it through the way it influences their attitudes, values, and perceptions on sexuality. Individuals living in a particular cultural context are subject to taking on behaviors that would match the expectations of those living in such areas. When it comes to sexuality, the cultural values and beliefs that have been adopted by these communities would affect the way members define and interact with their own sexuality.
References
Douglas, K. (2008). Behavioral Interventions for Prevention and Control of Sexually Transmitted Diseases . London: Springer Science & Business Media.
Kinsey, C. (2008). Sexual Behavior in the Human Female. Indiana University Press.
