Sexual morality has been a controversial subject since ancient times. It is a set of rules governing human behavior related to sex and sexuality that can be moral, immoral, or amoral. Sexual morality operates as a tool of both oppression and liberation in politics because it regulates people's sexual expression and defines their social roles.
Oppressive Aspects of Sexual Morality
One way in which sexual morality can be used as an instrument of oppression is through its role in policing gender roles and identity.
Some cultures view certain sexual behaviors as appropriate for men but not for women, such as masturbating, engaging in public displays of affection, and expressing desire. This creates a double standard whereby women who transgress these norms are shamed, ridiculed, or even punished while men who do so are praised or accepted.
Societies that emphasize traditional gender roles may prohibit same-sex relationships and transgender identities, thereby limiting the freedoms of individuals who identify outside of these norms.
Another way in which sexual morality can be used as an instrument of oppression is by imposing rigid standards on what counts as acceptable sexual conduct. These regulations often prioritize heterosexual monogamy, creating a hierarchy in which other forms of sexuality, such as polygamy, polyamory, consensual non-monogamy, casual encounters, open marriages, and homosexuality, are viewed as deviant or immoral. Such restrictions can lead to the criminalization or stigmatization of individuals whose desires do not conform to these norms, resulting in discrimination and marginalization.
Sexual morality can be used as a tool of oppression by enforcing strict rules around contraception and abortion access. This has led to situations where women are denied basic healthcare services because of religious or moral objections to birth control methods, leading to maternal deaths and unplanned pregnancies. It also means that people who cannot afford abortions must carry unwanted pregnancies to term, further constraining their autonomy over their bodies.
Liberating Aspects of Sexual Morality
On the flip side, sexual morality can serve as a liberating force for some groups.
Certain religious or cultural communities may embrace sex as sacred or empowering, viewing it as a means of self-expression and intimacy rather than just procreation. In this context, sexual morality becomes a way of celebrating human connection and pleasure rather than policing it.
Some societies view alternative sexual practices like BDSM or group sex positively, seeing them as ways to explore one's sensuality without harmful consequences.
Sexual morality can promote social justice by advocating for consent and respect between partners. By establishing boundaries and limits on what is acceptable behavior, it helps prevent abuse, assault, harassment, and other forms of coercion that undermine individual agency. It also encourages people to communicate with each other about their needs, wants, and desires, creating stronger relationships based on mutual understanding and trust.
Sexual morality can be used as an instrument of liberation by pushing back against patriarchal norms that objectify women and treat them as sexual objects. This can involve rejecting rape culture, opposing slut shaming, and emphasizing the importance of female pleasure in bed.
Sexual morality serves as both a tool of oppression and liberation depending on how it is applied and enforced in different contexts.
In what ways does sexual morality operate as a tool of both oppression and liberation in politics?
Sexual morality can be used as a tool for both oppression and liberation in politics. On one hand, it has been used to justify discriminatory practices against certain groups of people based on their sexual orientation or behavior, such as the criminalization of homosexuality in some countries. This type of moral judgement is often linked to religious beliefs and cultural norms that view these behaviors as immoral and sinful.