Sexual norms are often influenced by religion and culture. Religious sexual norms have evolved to fit different cultural contexts around the world, but they all share some common themes. One such theme is that sex is a sacred act between married partners who must maintain chastity outside marriage. This means that non-married individuals are expected to refrain from any form of sexual activity, including masturbation.
Married couples are encouraged to limit their sexual encounters to procreation within marriage. These religious teachings have led to the development of communication guidelines about sexual needs, boundaries, and pleasure that emphasize modesty and restraint.
Discussions of sexual desires should be limited to marriage partners, and there should be no mention of specific acts or positions.
Religious teachings also dictate that men and women have distinct roles and responsibilities during sexual intercourse. Men are responsible for initiating and leading sexual activities, while women should be passive and receptive. This can lead to difficulties in communicating about individual preferences and boundaries, as well as creating an unequal power dynamic between partners. Some religions also promote the idea that male ejaculation is a sin, which can further restrict communication about sexual pleasure and intimacy.
Despite these restrictions, many religions recognize the importance of sexual pleasure as part of a healthy relationship. They advise couples to explore new positions, techniques, and erotic practices with their partner, while still adhering to strict guidelines on modesty and restraint.
Catholicism teaches that foreplay and arousal are acceptable before intercourse, but orgasm must be avoided except when intended for conception. Similarly, Islam prohibits any type of premarital sex but allows marital sex for pleasure and procreation. Muslim couples are expected to seek permission from their spouse before engaging in sexual activity, but once they do so, they should prioritize the pleasure of both partners.
Religious sexual norms provide guidance on how individuals should communicate about sex, including what topics are appropriate to discuss and how they should approach them. While some aspects of this guidance may seem outdated or restrictive, it can serve as a useful framework for navigating relationships within one's faith community.