Sexuality being an integral and a complex part of human existence draws several theoretical explanations, which seek to demystify it. Human beings use sex to propagate and for sexual pleasure as individuals feel more connected when they have sex. In essence, sex is one of the many reasons why human relationships thrive or collapse depending on how sex is being used or viewed. Most human societies have set rules and behaviors aimed at governing how human beings are supposed to relate sexually. Essentially, these regulations set the legal time when individuals can engage in sex to create and maintain a moral society. However, it is not always easy to regulate sexual behaviors due to what Freud referred to as sexual instincts. The drive to have sex is so powerful that any other force cannot contain it. This proposition is evident in Mike’s case where the instinct to have sex overrides the desire to remain faithful to her long-distance girlfriend.
Analysis of Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory in Relation to Human Sexuality and Mikes Case Study
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Sigmund Freud set precedence in the understanding of human sexuality through his psychoanalytic theory. According to Freud, human beings are passionate creatures who are driven and motivated by irrational and primitive forces, which operate just below human rationality (Stoleru, 2014). What Freud meant in this case is that humans are capable of losing their rationality when sexual drive takes over their thinking. In essence, sex sways individuals that they are ready to give up on their hard-won rationality for the pleasure that is driven from a sexual encounter. This is the case with Mike who is about to have sex with a new girl he meets at a party and he ends up forgetting about the vow he has made with his long-distance girlfriend. One can see that Mike or the girl at the party are not being rational as they are taking this as an opportunity to escape the loneliness of long-distance relationships. Moreover, Freud psychoanalytic theory implies that sex is powerful than human egos, which are supposed to help people to say no, even in the face of rationality. Mike and the girl at the party cannot maintain their ego and find themselves engrossed with one another as they lose their rationality.
Freud’s, psychoanalytic theory establishes that it is possible to separate sex from love and care which then makes it mechanical and banal. In this case having sex does not automatically mean that individuals love or care for each other since sex can be spontaneous. According to Freudian psychoanalytic theory, Eros (life instinct) and Thanatos (death instinct) are what drives sex as opposed to love and care. In essence, Eros and Thanatos are always in conflict with each of them trying to win in the end. Sexuality is on an eternal fight with death in an attempt to affirm life. In a much as the death instinct emerges the winner in the short run, Eros transcends this death well into the future as life goes on through love and procreation (Lodi-Smith, Spain, Cologgi and Roberts, 2017). This proposition is affirmed in the case of Mike where two people who are separated from their lovers are keen on remaining sexually alive. However, when Mike invites the girl, to his dorm room feels of guilt, which can be compared to Thanatos, come upon him since he feels that he is betraying his girlfriend. However, Eros the positive sexual instinct defeats this guilt as Mike and the girl are seen making out in the room. Going by the unfolding events, these two are likely to have sex and feel alive once again in spite of the loneliness they have been experiencing.
The psychoanalytic theory rides on the concept of ‘libido’, which is translated to mean ‘primal sexual energy’. According to the Freudian psychology, libido is an integral part of human life starting at birth and persisting well into old age (Stoleru, 2014). Although this libido may wane and wax during certain developmental stages, it is always running in the background and it can only end when one dies. For this reason, no amount of vowing not to take part in sex can cause sexual instinct to disappear. In fact, human beings have attempted to paint sex as promiscuous and sinful and some have even gone to the extremes of becoming celibate to discredit this fact. However, no matter the measures that human beings take, they always end up having sex, as this is an innate and necessary human characteristic. The scenario supports this proposition where Mike had vowed to remain faithful to his girlfriend in spite of the long distance separating them. In fact, the reader can see Mike becoming frustrated when his girlfriend seems as if she is giving up on the relationship by suggesting that they should start seeing other people. Interestingly, Mike cannot escape the reality of perpetual sexual instincts and he fulfills his sexual desires through masturbation. Moreover, Mike automatically kisses the girl back without even thinking that he has vowed to remain faithful to his girlfriend. At the end of it, sexual instincts cloud Mikes and the girls judgment as they are willing to go all the way and have sex in the first day of their ‘relationship.
The psychoanalytic theory establishes that sexual energy is what makes people get into intimate relationships in as much as those relationships may be frustrating or impossible. However, it is important to note that sexual energy is such a strong emotion that individuals cannot afford to act upon it (Kelly, 2015). In fact, Freud indicated that sexual attraction being such a highly complex concept can become neurotic especially if it does not receive adequate expression. This thought is represented in Mikes case here Mike has chosen to masturbate to deal with the strong and overwhelming sexual energy which is yet to find release in a meaningful relationship. Moreover, one would understand why Mike is not able to resist the girl in his dorm room even after realizing that his actions may have been influenced by excessive alcohol. Of importance here, is the insistence by Freud that sex can be used as a drug to escape from unwanted feelings such as loneliness and meaninglessness among other negative feelings. In the case of Mike, the reader may feel that Mike and the girl are escaping the feeling of loneliness as each of them has a long distance lover. By making out the two are trying to fight the overwhelming loneliness and find refuge in each other’s arms.
Ethical Standards that Guide Professional Behavior as they relate to the Issues and Concepts Identified in the Human Sexuality Case Study
Professionals must stick to ethical standards when dealing with individuals dealing with long-distance relationships, infidelity, and masturbation. In essence, infidelity and masturbation are sensitive issues, which call for high levels of confidentiality and privacy. Professionals cannot establish that individuals are masturbating or cheating to third parties without their client permission. Moreover, professionals may not record their voices or the images of such individuals without their informed consent. Furthermore, the professionals cannot disclose or publish any information without consulting with the clients, as this would lead to the identification of the clients. In doing this, the professionals would be guided by the principles that are entrenched in the code of ethics. The principle of beneficence calls upon professionals not to undertake any action that would do harm to the patients. The principle of fidelity and responsibility calls upon the professionals to create trust with their clients, which cannot be breached for any reason (American Psychological Association, 2017).
In conclusion, human sexuality is an important concept as it helps to explain what drives people to have sex even when it is seen as evil and as outright sin. In fact, some religions advocate for celibacy to keep sexual activities to a minimum. However, according to Freudian psychoanalytic theory, sexual instincts are innate and inherent and no amount of suppression can end these sexual instincts. According to Freud, sexual instincts remain within individuals from the time of birth and extend well into old age. In fact, these sexual instincts or libido only ends upon death. According to Freudian psychology, Eros is in constant fight with Thanatos when it comes to the expression of sexual instincts in humans. Thanatos tend to prevail most of the time but eventually it is Eros that wins as the effects of sex lasts well even after death following procreation. These propositions are supported in the scenario with Mike who is about to make out with a new girl in spite of his vow to remain faithful to his long-distance girlfriend. The strong sexual energy is too much for Mike to handle and he vents it out through masturbation and making out with the girl. If Mike and the girl were to seek the help of professionals, such professionals would be forced to adhere to several ethical standards to protect their privacy, autonomy, and confidentiality.
References
American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. Retrieved on 2 February 2019 from https://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index.aspx
Kelly, G. F. (2015). Sexuality Today (11th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
Lodi-Smith, J., Spain, S. M., Cologgi, K., & Roberts, B. W. (2017). Development of identity clarity and content in adulthood. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 112 (5), 755–768.
Stoleru, S. (2014). Reading the Freudian theory of sexual drives from a functional neuroimaging perspective. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience , 2014 (8): 157.
