Integral Sexology
We can also suggest that there are other spectrums of sexual behaviour and expression.
- Introvert to extrovert.
- Monogamous to polyamorous.
- Masculine to feminine (outward and inward).
- Asexual/disinterested to highly sexual.
All of these are normal spectrums and are expressed in both individuals and cultures. This means that people can express a wide range of sexual characters: the extrovert, polyamorous heterosexual; the introverted, disinterested homosexual; the lustful, bisexual swinger; the butch and fem lesbians; the cross-gendered and trans-gendered; the outwardly masculine man with a feminine sexuality; the monogamous, partly disinterested, partly introverted heterosexual. The combinations are endless. They are also subject to change. One can begin by being introverted and heterosexual and become extroverted and bisexual. One can also go through several transitions in a lifetime.
Cultures tolerate different expressions of these spectrums. The Greeks tolerated the homosexual and heterosexual spectrum. The Romans were less openly tolerant of homosexuality but they tolerated an active sexuality. Some cultures allowed polygamy of various types. The Judeo-Christian culture favours a heterosexual, monogamous, disinterested and introverted sexuality.
There are also important differences within stratified societies. What is permitted for the upper classes and elites may not be permitted for the lower classes. The wealthy elites of most societies had access to a wider range of sexual expression than the masses. Despite her reputation Queen Victoria had an extensive collection of nudes, both in painting and in sculpture. Catherine the Great of Russia had private rooms filled with commissioned works of erotica and pornography. It was common practice for the nobility to have mistresses, concubines and lovers. The Sultans of the Ottoman empire had a harem of hundreds of concubines. These societies also created moral systems that demanded the lower classes practiced restraint, so there is a clear political-economic aspect to sexual morality. Any integral theory of sexology must acknowledge this aspect.
Anthropology and sex
After noting the differences between societies sexologists suggested that societies could be placed into four broad categories; sex negative, sex indifferent, sex positive and sex enabling.
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Ray is a Melbourne based writer. He has completed two novels and is currently going through the process of getting them published. Read his Biography
Bliss is a young hippie girl with an extraordinary, untamed mind: a guitar prodigy, a synesthete, but can she tame her wild talent?
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Greetings comrade, this is truly an epic in the making. I suspect you’re a hippy at heart but need clarification on that spirit of unconventional freedom. Sex is a powerful reality in the politics of negotiation – with oneself and others. No doubt about that. And I was very surprised at the ability you have to generalise bodies of knowledge and systems of philosophy at the stroke of a simple pen. I must also admit that your analytical strength is breathtakingly all embracing. You have alerted me to many and a variety of different forms of social practices and theories that I was not aware of , or have slipped under my radar. I need time to fully appreciate the implications of your research here and elsewhere on your blog. Overall, well done and I fully commend the play on words in your blog’s title. Thanx for another good read.
Thanks William. Yes, a hippie, but much, much more than that. My influences go back to the pioneering work of psychoanalysis, particularly Otto Gross…
Ok, if I may just add my opinion to the issue you discuss here, Ray. It seems that you are advocating a form of sex education at a personal level from a very early age in our society. The premise for this type of education is based largely on your research which clearly demonstrates that a positive sex society is more functional in this area and that many of the associated, social problems modern society faces in this area are a result of an ongoing negative sex attitude promoted by the prevailing cultural , religious intolerance of mainly, western monotheistic religions. These religions in general have adopted and incorporated myths about human and child sexuality to protect the status quo and foster a sex negative attitude through their propaganda. This in turn has reinforced stereotypes and has become the blueprint for assessing and evaluating cultural attitudes towards, in particular, child sexual abuse. Therefore, in your recommendation for a more sensible approach to problems that child and indeed adult sexuality generates in modern society is to effect a paradigm shift in our cultural attitude towards sexuality. This can be achieved through a pro active , integrated education program packaged as part of life skills. Well, if I may say Ray, although the impulse is noble, well researched, empirical and sensible there is one vital ingredient you have neglected to include in all of this- namely , personal opinion. Implementing such a “life-skills” program exploring the positive virtues of a positive sex attitude requires a huge cultural paradigm shift – which in essence means changing the ways people think about themselves, others, their religion, their relationships..I don’t think this Utopian impulse has much of a chance because sex is a sensitive and personal reality. The only real way to effect a cultural shift in our attitudes is through story telling and the narrative structure. Traditional , cultural attitudes are embedded in the stories or mythology perpetuated consecutively in and through the younger generations. I think this is the only glimmer of hope to effect this type of social change. And how do you change the nature and culture of story telling when Hollywood, success, advertising, and the recycling of our myth making industries dominates every aspect of our lives? And you agreed in your statement that for an adult to achieve self mastery in this area was tantamount to high cognitive skills. There aren’t too many bright politicians out there. A very thought provoking and powerful discourse on this topic and I admire the scope of your analysis. But in my honest estimation, this has buckley’s chance of happening because sex governs our lives , metaphorically speaking, and to suggest that people and children should altruistically give in and satisfy these desires based on personal pleasures in order to break free from the constraints imposed from external sources is to deny the capacity for exploitation of this by others who are not so altruistically inclined. George Orwell successfully pointed this out in his parable, Animal Farm. I suspect there is a Utopian ideal underpinning much of what your essay is saying. In the West it is American culture that predominately dictates and perpetuates our mythology – and we all know how sick and dysfunctional America is in regards its internal policies…..don’t get me started on its external policies. Please don’t take my appraisal of this well thought out deconstruction of the poltics of sex you have espoused here as an insult, but rather as a means to intellectually stimulate and add to the discussion which obviously has a significant impact on me. If I am too bold in my comment forgive me this slip. William :-)
Well, just quickly, the type of sex education I have in mind is being implemented by some people in some countries. Holland is a good example. But we have a growing gap in the Anglophone countries between an increasingly educated, sex positive community and the sex negative religious community. Change is slow but the increasing acceptance of gay marriage is a sign of change.
I honestly thought that the idea behind the integrated sexology approach went much further than that. I suspected it aimed at curing sexual problems on a range of issues through a change in attitudes on all fronts. But I get your point. Change is slow. Thanx. Anyhow I will get back to your other essays as well some time soon. I enjoy your simple expression to deconstruct complex ideas.
It does go much further. My reply was short because I have limited time and this is a very large subject. As you look through my blog you’ll see I expand on several points. I’m currently interested in recent findings in neurobiology. In regard to Utopian sex education I suggest you read ‘Island’ by Aldous Huxley.