Sexual essentialism: Is there any truth to it?

Question

Sexual essentialism is an idea that sex is a natural force based on our biology. Some would say them men are "visually sexual" while others say that women are inclined to such natural instincts as motherhood. To disagree with sexual essentialism is to believe that culture and surroundings form human sexuality. It is a classic nature V nurture argument. Give me your thoughts on sexual essentialism as an absolute.

soul shine, pls repost - had to delete because of embarrassing typos

Answer 1

I think it is undeniable to state that nature has a significant
role in human sexuality. However, an individual can refuse
to participate in sexual activity. Is it nature or nurture
which gives the individual the choice to refuse the nature.
It seems to me that if sexual activity was essential then
there would be no choice but to participate; that our
natural being would be configured to preclude an
opportunity to refuse. Therefore, nature doesn't
preclude that opportunity which at the least implies
that there is nurture opportunity for choice to balance
nature. Therefore, it is natural to have a biological
desire for appeasement, but culture and surroundings
can supply alternate means for that appeasement.
In my opinion, human sexuality follows a utilitarian
model where satisfaction is the natural need,
and the culture influences the selection of tools
available to satisfy. Therefore, sex is only one
tool out of many.

Answer 2

It is certain that there is some sort of sexual essentialism that influences our behaviors. We can not simply deny the roles played by estrogen and testosterone in making us how we are. Simply observe the dramatic change that takes place between the time a person is 10, to the time they're 13 or 14, if you're not convinced.
The problem with this question, as with all nature/nurture questions is that it is equally obvious that the culture we are raised in also influences us. Roles can differ widely in one culture to the next. The Japanese family, the American family and the African family vary widely in the roles they assign to its members and what they expect from them.
So how do you distinguish one from the other? A cross-cultural study might be of some utility. The idea that patriarchy is natural to human societies, for examples, can be dismissed, because one can find many examples of matriarchal societies.
I personally lack the expertise to go much more deeper into the question. I would suggest you might want to ask further in the sociology or anthropology sections, what research has been done on the subject, and whether cross-cultural studies have determined any traits that could be said to be feminine or masculine in all known cultures.

Answer 3

If one believes that we are nothing more than educated apes, then sure it is a natural force based on our biology... with the added bene of being one of few animals that actually have a go at it for pleasure... is human sexuality formed by one's environment?

Answer 4

I like to re-word the nature vs nurture argument:

What is the volume of a glass of water dependent on, the height or the circumference?

Answer 5

it does seem like guys just wanna get f*cked and nothing else
and chicks think of it as something more, and its is in our minds since we are born
but i dont really think its nature Vs. Nurture
i think its nature thru Nurture

Answer 6

i believe that sex is a natural force based on biology but how we express that desire (and/or our level of comfort to express it) may be influenced by our culture and surroundings.

Answer 7

Sex is a means to avoid being alone. A "social species" like humans generally fear being alone, rejection and abandonment. When you overcome the fear, the desires come into check as well.

Answer 8

It's a absolute