Throughout human history, school and institutional rituals have played an important role in shaping societal norms, values, and beliefs. In many cultures around the world, such rituals have been used to pass down traditions and establish social hierarchies. One aspect of these rituals that has received less attention is their impact on sexual initiation, desire, and gendered roles.
I will explore how school and institutional rituals perpetuate cultural archetypes of sexual initiation, desire, and gendered roles, and examine the implications for individuals' sexual experiences and identities.
It is important to understand what is meant by "school" and "institutional." School refers to formal educational institutions, while institution can refer to any organization or structure that exists as part of society. These terms are often interchangeable and refer to larger systems of power and control that shape people's lives.
One way in which schools and institutions perpetuate cultural archetypes is through the creation of rituals that reinforce traditional gender roles and sexual norms.
Many schools and colleges have traditionally held fraternity and sorority initiations that involve hazing rituals involving alcohol and sexual violence. These rituals serve to reinforce the idea that men are dominant and women are submissive, and that sexual aggression is acceptable behavior for men. This can create a culture whereby male students feel entitled to engage in sexual acts without consent and female students fear speaking out against them.
Another way in which schools and institutions perpetuate cultural archetypes is through the promotion of heteronormative relationships. Many schools and universities promote monogamous relationships between men and women, and do not acknowledge other forms of love and intimacy. This can lead to feelings of shame and stigma among LGBTQ+ students who may experience same-sex attraction or identify as asexual or polyamorous. It also contributes to the belief that certain types of relationships are normal and desirable, while others are not.
School and institutional rituals can perpetuate cultural archetypes around initiation into adulthood. In some cultures, young adults are expected to go through rites of passage such as marriage or military service before they are considered "adult." This can create a sense of urgency around finding a partner or having children, which can put undue pressure on individuals' sex lives and make it difficult to explore their own desires and preferences.
School and institutional rituals play an important role in shaping societal norms, values, and beliefs around sexual initiation, desire, and gendered roles. By understanding how these rituals work, we can begin to challenge the assumptions and expectations they create and create spaces for more diverse expressions of identity and intimacy.
To continue learning about this topic, you may want to read books such as "The Ethics of Sexuality" by Sara Giusti and "Sex and Culture" by Jared Diamond.
There are many articles available online that discuss the impact of culture on sexual experiences and identities.
How do school and institutional rituals perpetuate cultural archetypes of sexual initiation, desire, and gendered roles?
The idea of rites of passage is not new and has been used by cultures all over the world for centuries. Rituals are performed to mark significant transitions from one stage of life to another, such as marriage, birth, or death. The concept of sexual initiation also finds its roots in ancient traditions where there was an expectation that individuals would become sexually active at a particular age and with certain partners.