Sexual care is an important aspect of human relationships that has often been neglected or tabooed in many societies. In military, institutional, or high-risk settings where individuals are under extreme stress or may face danger daily, sexual care becomes even more critical to their overall wellbeing.
What exactly is sexual care and how can it be operationalized as relational support in these settings?
One way to define sexual care is as the provision of physical, emotional, and psychological support for sexual activity between partners. This includes communication about needs, desires, boundaries, pleasure, and safety, as well as the ability to meet those needs in a safe and satisfying manner. Sexual care also involves understanding and responding to cultural norms around sex, which may differ from person to person or community to community.
In military, institutional, or high-risk settings, sexual care may take on new forms due to the unique challenges faced by individuals in these environments.
Individuals may need additional education about safe sex practices and STD prevention in order to protect themselves and their partners from potential health risks associated with combat zones or dangerous work conditions. They may also benefit from increased access to birth control options or counseling services related to pregnancy and childbirth.
Soldiers or other workers who have experienced trauma such as PTSD may require specialized help with intimacy issues or coping mechanisms for sexual activities.
Operationalizing sexual care as relational support means providing resources and services that enable people to connect emotionally and physically while navigating difficult situations. This could include providing educational materials on sexuality and relationships, offering confidential consultation sessions with trained professionals, and facilitating opportunities for social interaction with peers. By incorporating sexual care into daily life in these settings, individuals are better equipped to handle stressors and maintain healthy relationships both inside and outside of their immediate communities.
Sexual care is an important aspect of human existence that should not be ignored, especially in environments where individuals face extreme stressors or dangers regularly. Operationalizing it as relational support can improve mental health outcomes, relationship satisfaction, and overall wellbeing among those working in military, institutional, or high-risk settings.
How can sexual care be operationalized as relational support in military, institutional, or high-risk settings?
Sexual care has been defined by researchers as a form of psychosocial support that focuses on providing individuals with information about their sexual health and wellbeing, addressing concerns related to their sexuality, and assisting them in managing sexual behaviors (Cavanaugh & MacKenzie, 2017).