Redefining Reality: The True Meaning of Sex in Life
How addicted are we to sex? Do the world”s religions really consider sex a sin? And why is it selling so well?
Contents of the article:
Physical and social aspects
If sex is important only for reproduction, then sex fulfills its role perfectly. For millions of years, by the way! But no matter what anyone says, sex is not just about reproduction. Most animals have no interest in sex outside the context of reproduction. However, women have sex throughout their menstrual cycle and cannot conceive after menopause. Then — contraception and same-sex couples. Probably every person at least once in his life has had a new acquaintance who looks good and seems pleasant in himself, but. She just isn”t attracted to him. There is no “chemistry”. Body odor is not attractive. And everything is completely different than with someone else — our bodies send a powerful signal that we want this particular person. We want to be with him. Sex brings people together. When two people touch, kiss, or have sex, bonding hormones are released. For example, oxytocin and vasopressin. The release of these chemicals is believed to strengthen a couple”s relationship and increase the likelihood that partners will stay together. However, if sex is rare between couples, the risk of relationship breakdown increases. If we turn to the animal world, bonobos (a species of great apes) often resolve conflicts and console each other through love games (masturbation, oral and penetrative sex). Something similar happens in people. In addition, sex is a special form of exercise. It burns calories and helps strengthen muscles. In addition, it has been scientifically proven that people with physical or mental health problems often experience sexual problems. Sex (vigorous, long-lasting, energy-intensive) is thought to have evolved to help assess the health of potential long-term partners.
Religious aspect
In Judaism, sexuality is seen as a positive power given by God. He also created humans in His image, so it is inappropriate to see anything obscene in the genitals or sexual intercourse. Although the main purpose of sex is to recreate one”s own kind, the pleasure from the process itself also has its value. However, all these pleasant activities are suitable only for marriage. It is also interesting that meeting the needs of the wife is considered the direct responsibility of the husband. It is prohibited to refrain from fulfilling marital obligations without a clear reason. According to the Talmud, the intimate life of spouses is a necessity. However, during menstruation, abstinence is necessary because the woman is unclean. In addition, after this period, the husband will want his wife even more. In Islam, sex is only permitted within marriage. Among the prohibitions are sex during menstruation, during the postpartum period, in a state of ritual purity during pilgrimage, as well as anal sex. Of course, you can”t have sex with two wives at the same time. Everything else is negotiated between the spouses.
Even the choice of position in Islam is not limited (unless it involves sinful anal sex). What about oral sex? There are several opinions here, but most experts agree on one thing. That is, oral sex is allowed, but cannot be forced, and swallowing sperm is prohibited. Christianity condemns homosexual relations, adultery and promiscuity. Anal sex, of course, but also extramarital sex and promiscuity. Abstinence is viewed much more favorably in this religion than in Judaism. However, the Christian Church has long condemned contraception. It was not until the 1930s that Anglicans around the world decided that contraception was not a sin. St. Augustine believed sex was a sin. Thanks to his teaching, Christians for centuries condemned their own desires for giving in to the call of the flesh. Then Martin Luther came along and declared that sex was a gift from God. But only if they are married. He also encouraged priests to get married, arguing that sexual frustration did not lead to good things. And later he made a completely bold statement, saying that marriage is not a sacrament and that it can still be dissolved. Then Pope Francis became the first Pope to refuse to condemn homosexuals. Buddhists have five precepts. According to the third commandment, sexual misconduct and promiscuity are unacceptable. This includes child abuse, adultery, harassment and coercion. There is no direct indication in the Buddha”s sayings that homosexual relations are permitted or prohibited. Therefore, many interpreters of the doctrine believe that the above rules are the same for both heterosexuals and homosexuals.
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The Dalai Lama has stated that any sexual activity other than vaginal heterosexual sex is unhealthy sexual activity. Even marriage. In his book, he also writes that homosexual relationships (for both men and women) in themselves are not something bad. The only thing that is bad is the use of “inappropriate” organs. In other words, most world religions have a fairly positive view of sex (in marriage). Anal sex is not considered.
Social programming through sex
Sex is everywhere. In magazines, on the Internet, on television, on advertising posters and banners. They talk, discuss, shout and whisper about him. They joke and fantasize about him. Literally everyone was into it. Sex these days is no longer just a physical act between two partners. This is a whole culture. Prohibitions, myths, rules and even trends. It is a powerful tool that influences people. Religions restricted gender, published lists of immutable rules, and feared retribution for sin. This was done in order to strengthen the institution of marriage and prevent people (vicious creatures by nature) from completely unfastening their belts and getting into serious trouble. However, the media decided to go in the opposite direction, turning sex into a powerful incentive. To have sex, you need to look good, be successful, and have the tools that successful people have. What a huge expansion for marketers. Sex is no longer just a need that needs to be satisfied from time to time. Sex is the meaning of life, and you can do anything for it. It is impossible to improve yourself without increasing your sex appeal.
Marketing
Sex love and enlightenment
Sex attracts attention. Although the topic is somewhat taboo, companies using subtle or not-so-subtle references to sex create memorable (and sometimes scandalous) advertising campaigns. Attracting the client”s attention is half the success. Advertisers use sex because it works. It sells and attracts attention. These ads are more noticeable because people are programmed to notice information related to sex,” explains Tom Reichert, an advertising and public relations expert. Tom also adds that people are swayed by advertisements for products that promise something in return. “Some men actually think that AX body spray drives women crazy. The impression of a brand is also formed under the influence of advertising images. Calvin Klein and Victoria”s Secret may not be that different from other lingerie brands, he argues, but they are perceived as “sexy.” Researchers studied 3, 232 advertisements in popular magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Redbook, Esquire, Playboy, Newsweek and Time from 1983, 1993 and 2003. 20% of them had sexual overtones. Now marketers are going further with sex advertise everything from alcohol to banking services. The research also showed that sex is used primarily for products that fall into the category of impulse purchases. Sex is not as effective in selling high-risk products, such as electronics or banking services,” says Reichert.
Sexual images are typically used to showcase lingerie or swimsuits. Semi-nudity is appropriate here. Or, for example, condom ads—sexual innuendos seem natural. However, some companies use sex solely to attract the viewer”s attention. Take, for example, the Carl”s Jr. ad, which was once controversial. Kate Upton seductively eating a hamburger is certainly sexy, but are such innuendos appropriate? Marketers rubbed their hands, and consumers argued—it worked! They”re talking about their products! Men”s perfume and deodorant ads proclaim, “With our products, women will want you!” they scream. Almost the same principle applies to women”s perfume ads. Only beautiful, sexy women are photographed, and passing men turn away and fall at their feet. Another well-known publication, Sports Illustrated, successfully sells annual subscriptions to men who are interested only in publications dedicated to swimsuit models. “In the early 1900s, the bare arms and ankles of female models were as arousing as today”s semi-nude models,” Tom asserts. It”s becoming increasingly difficult to impress us.
Life without sex
In principle, it”s possible to exist without sex—it”s not fatal. And if necessary, you can satisfy your needs with adult toys—there are so many of them now, to suit every taste and budget. However, society generally believes that life cannot be fulfilled without sex.
Think about Hollywood comedies like The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005) and 40 Days and Nights (2002). In the first film we see a man desperately trying to have sex for the first time, and in the second we see the main character trying not to have sex for 40 days and nights. It is customary in society to sympathize with people who, for whatever reason, are forced to abstain from sex for a long time. And “late” virgins feel like failures and try to hide this unsightly fact in their biographies. Previous generations had different attitudes towards life without sex. For example, bachelors and old maids who devoted their care to an elderly relative-parent aroused admiration rather than pity. And in films, as mentioned above, virgins are generally portrayed as successful and happy people. Sex is a natural need of the body and a beautiful part of human existence and relationships between people. However, you should do this primarily in order to get pleasure and give it to your partner, and not in order to score a few points in the ranking of “the most successful people.” Also, you should not assume that with the advent of sex, everything in it will automatically be established with the wave of a magic wand. Otherwise, there is a high risk of experiencing severe disappointment.
We fuck, we fuck, but there was no sex, and no sex / Anna Lukyanova
