why is it that in America even the mention of sex often turns people into raving hysterical lunatics? why does sex affect us so much? are we just prudes or just irrational?
2007-12-04 15:18:20 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender
Americans have diametrically opposed views on sexuality. On one hand, this is the land of Las Vegas Hollywood, where sex is the most prominent commodity available to sell products and services. Sex and innuendo pervade our movies and television. Massage parlors advertise on huge billboards, particularly in the Bible-Belt states.
Yet at the same time, we have religious people who spread guilt around like it were insecticide in a malaria-infested swamp. They suggest strongly that people who engage in the simple biological/emotional calling of sexuality are liable for judgment from God, and until God gets good and ready, they'll do the judging in advance. The prey upon the fears about children being molested, unwed pregnancy, and homosexuality. In this way, they get to feel self-righteous and simultaneously connive the guilt-ridden to join them in order to assuage their "sins."
It is not rational, but it is somewhat enticing, because nothing heightens the pleasure of sex as having it appear a little bit sneaky. So all the while we are pushing sex from the media and the churches are preaching chastity, people get to feel like they're not so "dirty" as those other folks on the screen, but they're not so prudish as the ones striving to force everyone into a chastity belt. It's a bit of a racket that keeps the pendulum swinging. And it also lets us ignore the fact that we are living in a country with among the widest gaps in wealth in the world. Nothing helps keep the masses in check as much as a little sex scandal to keep them distracted from the money scandals that have a REAL impact on their lives.
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2007-12-04 15:34:31 · answer #1 · answered by NHBaritone 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
My Psych teacher was having this conversation with my class. I personally think that people do not like to mention sex because it is such an intimate thing. I think we are just irrational. Sex should not be something people are afraid to talk about. What is the big deal? Sex education should begin young (age appropriate that is). For example with children tell them what is good touch and bad touch...girls entering puberty should have their mothers talk to them about their periods. Sadly, there are millions of girls each year who get their periods for the first time and think they are bleeding to death because...their mother's never told them what to expect when their body changes.
2007-12-04 15:25:35 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's the way we are raised. When we were younger, lots of parents never talked about it to us and in tv everything is very innocent. But as you get older, people tend to be very personal and keep things very private. The mention of sex could make a person think that someone will ask them how they are in bed or something along those lines.
2007-12-04 15:25:30 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You're right, it is pretty taboo. The funny part is that while Americans don't want to talk about it, sex is literally *everywhere you look*. Television, clothing styles, magazines, heck even the radio has sexually charged ads. The need to be "discreet" while being surrounded by sex is just .. odd.
2007-12-04 15:26:39 · answer #4 · answered by SuperN 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Our country was founded by the Puritans and even after all these years some things have just stuck. Probably because it's easier for many people to let others do their thinking for them.
2007-12-04 15:25:09 · answer #5 · answered by xyxoxy 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I don't think that's so much the case anymore. In fact, it seems to me that sex is way to prevelent in our mainstream culture right now. Like, the other day I was at a store and they had "sex in a box" I mean really, what next? Not that I am against sex at all (God no!) but it just seems like it's being shoved in your face all the time...
2007-12-04 15:31:52 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Why do people have such problems about talking to their kids about sex if its so called such a 'normal' thing? Why does the word PENIS make a lady blush? Why aren't cheese puffs purple? Ahhh all the questions of life, never to be answered.
2007-12-04 15:22:22 · answer #7 · answered by Flightless Bird 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's mostly the right wing christian fanatics. The sheeple that will do whatever their little 2000 year old work of fiction tells them to.
2007-12-04 15:24:53 · answer #8 · answered by Nicholas 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
our country was discovered by Puritans. Really conservative people. It takes a long time to get away from their influence.
2007-12-04 15:44:10 · answer #9 · answered by Sage 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
you americans do?!?!? the most liberated next to the europeans, i dont think so, sex to you are but a past time just like hotdogs and baseball.
2007-12-04 20:07:52 · answer #10 · answered by lorenzo ruiz 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋