Human sexuality is grounded in biological functioning, emerges in each of us as we develop, and is expressed by cultures through rules about sexual contact, attitudes about moral and immoral sexuality, habits of sexual behavior, patterns of relations between the sexes, and so on.
Only Human: What Is Sexuality?
The sexual nature of human beings is unique in the animal kingdom. Although many of our fellow creatures also display complex sexual behaviors, only human beings have gone beyond instinctual mating rituals to create ideas, laws, customs, fantasies, and art around the sexual act. In other words, although sexual intercourse is common in the animal kingdom, sexuality is a uniquely human trait.
Sexuality is studied by “sexologists,” who specialize in understanding our sexuality, but also by biologists, psychologists, physicians, anthropologists, historians, sociologists, political scientists, those concerned with public health, and many other people in scholarly disciplines. For example, political scientists may study how sexuality reflects social power; powerful groups may have more access to sexual partners or use their legislative power to restrict the sexual behaviors of less powerful groups.
There are few areas of human life that seem as contradictory and confusing as sexuality. We come from a society that is often called sexually “repressed,” yet images of sex
uality are all around us. We tend to think that everyone else is “doing it”; still, we are often uncomfortable talking about sex. Some feel that we should all be free to explore our sexuality; others believe that there should be strong moral restrictions around sexual behavior. To some, only sex between a man and a woman is natural and acceptable; others believe that all kinds of sexual expression are equally “natural” and valid. Many people find it puzzling that others find sexual excitement by wearing rubber, exposing themselves in public, or by being humiliated or spanked. Although parents teach their children about safe driving, fire safety, and safety around strangers, many are profoundly uncomfortable instructing their children on safe sexual practices.