Clandestine sexual behavior is defined as secretive sexual activity that is hidden from others due to cultural taboos or fear of consequences. This can include extramarital affairs, one-night stands, online dating, casual encounters, anonymous sex, BDSM activities, swinging, and more. Internalized religious norms are societal beliefs about right and wrong that an individual has accepted as their own personal values. These may come from religious institutions such as Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism, etc., but also from secular cultures where religion has been replaced by ideologies such as capitalism, communism, socialism, liberalism, conservatism, feminism, etc. Social surveillance is the monitoring of people's behaviors through informal networks, media, technology, public spaces, and institutions like schools, police, prisons, courts, etc.
There are many reasons why clandestine sexual behavior might be seen as conflicting with internalized religious norms.
Some religions may prohibit certain types of sexual activity such as homosexuality, premarital sex, adultery, masturbation, pornography, etc. Others may see these acts as sinful regardless of when they take place. Someone who engages in clandestine sexual behavior could feel guilty about breaking these rules, leading to feelings of shame and isolation. They may try to justify their actions or rationalize them in order to maintain a sense of self-worth.
Social surveillance can further complicate matters by creating fear of being caught or exposed for their behavior. People may worry about losing their job, reputation, family relationships, friends, community standing, or even legal consequences. This can lead to a desire to hide their behavior or lie about it in order to protect themselves. It can also create pressure to conform to societal expectations around marriage, monogamy, childbearing, gender roles, and more. This can conflict with individual desires and preferences, which can result in internalized guilt, stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.
How do clandestine sexual behaviors interact with internalized religious norms and social surveillance?
Clandestine sexual behavior refers to any sexual activity that is done outside of socially acceptable norms, such as extramarital affairs, one-night stands, or anonymous encounters. Internalized religious norms refer to the belief systems and values that an individual may have acquired through their upbringing or exposure to religious teachings. Social surveillance refers to the way in which individuals are monitored by society for adherence to these norms.