Global Tapestry: Exploring Sexuality Across Cultures
Sexuality is a fundamental aspect of human existence, yet the way societies perceive and express it varies dramatically across the diverse cultures and regions. Various influences can include religion, history, social norms, as well as political beliefs and attitudes toward sex ranging from liberal and open-minded to conservative and restrictive. Understanding each unique perspective highlights cultural values as well as the nuanced complexities of human behavior and relationships. From Sweden's progressive and sex-positive approach to Japan's blend of tradition and commercialization, and from Brazil's sexual marketing to the Netherlands' focus on sexual freedom and safety, and lastly to Indias traditional views that are slowly evolving into western modern perspectives the world of sexuality offers a broad spectrum of sexual proclivities. This piece aims to explore five locations where perceptions of sex & sexuality are particularly unique and intriguing, revealing how cultural context shapes human sexuality.
Sexual Norms and Hierarchies in India
India is credited with being the first to pioneer of art and literature for sexual education. The themes in sex vastly differ depending on where one falls in the social hierarchy with rulers commonly practicing polygamy and those who fall below on the social hierarchical ladder defaulting to monogamy. In their formative years, children are instructed to emulate their future roles as either husbands or wives. In certain areas, young girls are not permitted to enter a room that has an eligible single male. On the subject of masturbation, it is not socially acceptable for females engage in this specific act however it is expected for males to do so as it is viewed to be in preparation for their mature adult life. It is even common and socially acceptable for groups of young boys to masturbate together, but this practice slowly dissipates with age. Homosexual acts between two people are not socially acceptable but are slowly gaining support.
LGBTQ+ Rights and Sexual Progressivism in Sweden
Sweden has some of the most progressive views in Europe and across the globe and have been coined the most accepting and tolerant place with high public and social acceptance. For instance, same-sex relations became legal in the 1940’s, and extended to LGBTQ+ communities as well. Back in 2009, Sweden became the seventh country globally to legalize same-sex marriage. A poll from 2019 shows that Swedes believe in equal rights for all people, whether it be gay, bisexual or heterosexual and over 90% of Swedish people being in support of same-sex marriage. Additionally in the 1970’s, Sweden became the first place in the world to enable transgender people to change their name legally as well as encouraged trans citizens to openly serve in the military. There are also many laws in support of LGBTQ+ persons with discrimination being illegal since the 80’s.
Sexual Expression and Fetish Culture in Japan
Japan is sexually progressive with countless spicy sex shops not only open, but highly visible, during the daytime hours. However, it started off with softcore porn, which was called Pink Film’s being debuted in theaters in the 60’s. One problematic issue is the brazen fetishistic culture around hentai pornography category, which is loosely based off a concept called moe which is a hyper-feminine, childlike character typically seen in manga. This culture of fetishizing a young student has had recent push back in 2014 when Japan banned the possession of child pornography. Other similar genres include lolicon which means attraction to underage girls, shotacon which pre-pubescent characters are depicted in erotic situations. Despite anti-prostitution laws, being a sex worker in Japan is not inherently synonymous with direct prostitution. Other fetishes in the Japanese sex scene include BDSM, tentacle erotica, shibari or tying/being tied up, bukkake or having a group of people ejaculate on you, omorashi or loving the sensation of having a full bladder with the risk of wetting oneself during sex acts, and tamakeri or the desire for a male to be kicked/hurt in the genitals as part of a sex act.
Sex Tourism and Racial Fetishization in Brazil
Brazil is known for their sex tourism. Author of the book “Sex Tourism in Bahia: Ambiguous Entanglements,” Erica Williams shares her 18 month long ethnographic research while studying abroad. During interviews with tour guides, Williams reports that the guides felt pressured and implicated due to their clients expecting to find available women as if they were sexual attractions. Williams later argues that the government of Bahia intentionally eroticizes Black women to sell the ideal of a sexual escape to tourists. Then Williams reports that the government maintains that sexual tourism is something that they do not condone and remains outside of their control. This disconnected sex tourism phenomenon creates anxiety around any and al interactions and relationships between the people of the country and the incoming tourists. Williams later notes how despite the covert push to glorify and fetishize Black culture, there is a discrepancy toward the Black community that still subjects them to various forms of hidden racism, violence, and exclusion.
Comprehensive Sexual Education and Reproductive Rights in the Netherlands
The Netherlands excels globally in the arena of sexual health and reproductive rights. Age appropriate and comprehensive sexual education is the norm starting from middle school. By law, students receive an education that covers certain core principles and enables them to be sexually assertive and responsible in their decisions. While the approach might make people uncomfortable, the results have captured attention across the globe due to their impressive history around teens’ sexual health. As a result, young people in the Netherlands begin having sex much later in life comparatively to other young people globally, proving that starting sexual education earlier does not equate to early onset sexual promiscuity. A sexual education brochure from the Netherlands states that the majority of their peopled between the ages of 12-25 report wanting to have a fun sexual debut experience for their first time. Their compulsory curriculum about sexual education goes beyond the biology and mechanics of how sex works, but instead also dives into love, relationship structure and dynamics, different orientations, boundaries, people, and situations to be on the lookout for, getting help and of course safe sex practices and contraception. This healthy normalization from a youthful age translates to clearer communication and respect for everyone involved in a sexual setting as well as long before that time arises.
Sources:
https://rutgers.international/about-rutgers/dutch-attitudes-and-approaches-to-sexuality/
https://www.press.uillinois.edu/wordpress/brazils-sex-tourism-perceptions-and-culture/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBTQ_rights_in_Sweden#:~:text=Polling%20from%20the%202019%20Eur
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexuality_in_Japan#:~:text=Sexuality%20in%20Japan
