Mankind is fascinated with sexuality. For years, mankind has sought to understand human sexuality. Procedures, codes and standards have even been developed to guide sexual behavior (Bancroft, 2013). Over the last few decades, the world has made remarkable progress in recognizing the freedom of sexual expression. Previously, communities such as LGBT were unable to freely express their sexuality (Wolf, 2017). This has changed as more countries now recognize the rights of these groups. To understand human sexuality, it is necessary to explore historical perspectives. These perspectives allow for insights to be gained regarding the roots of sexual expression and moral codes that govern sexual behavior. The Islamic and the Ancient Greek perspectives are among the historical approaches to understanding human sexuality. This essay examines these perspectives while giving particular focus to gender roles and cultural attitudes.
Cultural attitudes
Virtue and chastity are the fundamental elements of the cultural attitudes adopted in the Islamic perspective. This faith calls on adherents to embrace sexual purity. Women are particularly urged to refrain from sexual activity outside of marriage (Rathus, Nevid & Fichner-Rathus, 2014). Virginity is highly valued. Historic Islamic texts indicate that women who remained virgins brought honor to their families and themselves. Virginity guaranteed an honorable marriage. Islam also forbade certain sexual behaviors. For example, adultery and fornication are discouraged. Islamic doctrine spells out tough penalties for those who engage in these acts. Homosexuality is also forbidden. The Islamic perspective continues to define cultural attitudes today. In most Muslim countries, chastity and sexual purity are still valued. Harsh penalties are meted out against individuals who violate the Islamic standards and codes. The Islamic perspective goes beyond sexual behaviors. It also applies to such issues as attire. Women were required to cover their faces when in public or in situations where men are present (Rathus, Nevid & Fichner-Rathus, 2014). This requirement still holds in many conservative Muslim societies.
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The Ancient Greek perspective also offers insights into the history of human sexuality. As opposed to the Islamic perspective which is rather restrictive, the ancient Greek is more liberal. The Ancient Greek society tolerated and even encouraged some forms of sexual conduct that were forbidden in other societies. For instance, same-sex sexual relations were considered normal. In fact, this society believed that people were bisexual (Rathus, Nevid & Fichner-Rathus, 2014). Works of art created by the ancient Greeks depict a wide range of sexual activity. Ancient Greek literature also shed light on the cultural attitudes. The art and literature all point to the variety and liberal views held regarding sexual conduct. Pederasty also thrived in Ancient Greece. Essentially, this involved sexual relations between boys and older men. While the practice was illegal on paper, it was still conducted (Rathus, Nevid & Fichner-Rathus, 2014). Greek gods and goddesses also formed part of the sexual attitudes. They were believed to reflect sexual variety. It has been noted that the ancient Greek society was liberal. Evidence for this can be seen in the attitudes regarding prostitution. Prostitution flourished and was practiced at different levels.
Gender roles
The Ancient Greek and Islamic perspectives extended beyond cultural attitudes. They also defined gender roles. Men and women performed different roles. In Islamic societies, women were under the authority of men (Kassam, 2010). Their actions were closely monitored and they needed the authorization of the men in their lives to venture out. This severely limited their movement and held them back from pursuing their interests. Women in Islamic societies were mostly required to perform domestic chores. It was their mandate to maintain the home and to take care of children. Women were also regarded as the custodians of sexual purity (Rathus, Nevid & Fichner-Rathus, 2014). They were required to remain sexually pure. Any hint of sexual deviance was met with brutal punishment. On the other hand, the males were charged with the mandate of providing for and protecting their families. The early Islamic societies were patriarchal in that the males exercised total control. They dominated the public space (Rathus, Nevid & Fichner-Rathus, 2014). It is true that Islamic societies have made remarkable progress in securing more rights for women. However, there are countries that still lag behind. For instance, in Saudi Arabia, women are not permitted to drive. Such restrictions hinder progress for women.
Given that the Ancient Greek society held liberal views regarding sexuality, it would be expected that women would have greater freedoms. This was not the case. The society placed restrictions on women. When they ventured out, they had to be in the company of males (Rathus, Nevid & Fichner-Rathus, 2014). Their freedoms were so curtailed that their situation has been likened to that of slaves. Before a woman got married, she remained subject to the control of either her husband or another male member of her family. Upon marriage, the woman came under the authority of the husband. The woman in Ancient Greece was confined to the home where she performed domestic chores and cared for her children. On the other hand, the males enjoyed greater freedoms and wielded much authority. They dictated the terms to be followed by their wives. The men could even divorce their wives without cause. In cases where a man established that the wife had committed adultery, Greek tradition demanded that he had to divorce the wife (Rathus, Nevid & Fichner-Rathus, 2014). The ancient Greek society also required the males to provide for their families. Overall, the ancient Greek society was unequal as women lacked freedoms and their rights were violated. The males were empowered and given the authority to participate in public affairs.
In conclusion, human sexuality remains an intriguing issue to explore. Today, mankind has gained a deeper understanding of sexuality. This understanding is responsible for the progress that has been made in respecting the rights of minority groups. The situation today contrasts sharply with the situation in ancient times. In ancient Islamic societies, the views on sexuality were very conservative. Sexual purity was encouraged and any deviance was punished. The ancient Greek society adopted a more liberal approach. Various forms of sexual activity were encouraged. The Islamic and Ancient Greek perspectives make it clear that human sexuality is complex and that it can be viewed from different standpoints.
References
Bancroft, J. (2009). Human Sexuality and its Problems. Amsterdam: Elsevier Health Sciences.
Kassam, Z. (2010). Women and Islam. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC CLIO.
Rathus, S. A., Nevid, J. S. & Fichner-Rathus, L. (2014). Human Sexuality in a World of Diversity. New York: Pearson.
Wolf, S. (2017). Sexuality and Socialism: History, Politics and Theory of LGBT Liberation. Chicago, IL: Haymarket Books.
