Religion has always played an important role in shaping societal norms and values, including those related to gender roles and sexual behavior. While there are many religions in the world today, this essay will focus on how Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism approach the issue of sexual passivity within their respective doctrines.
Judaism views male sexual passivity as a negative phenomenon that must be avoided at all costs. The Torah, which is the central text of Judaism, states that a man should "cleave" to his wife and love her like himself. This implies that men should be active in initiating and maintaining sexual relations with their wives.
Jewish law prohibits adultery and forbids married couples from having sex during certain times of the month.
Christianity, on the other hand, takes a more nuanced approach to sexual passivity. While it does not condone promiscuity or extramarital affairs, it encourages spouses to be intimate with each other regularly. The Bible describes marriage as a union between two partners who must "become one flesh," implying that both partners should participate actively in sexual relations.
Some conservative denominations emphasize chastity and frown upon premarital sex or any form of non-procreative sexual activity.
Islam places great importance on marital relationships and recommends frequent intercourse for married couples. The Quran teaches that husbands and wives should fulfill each other's needs and desires in bed.
It discourages masturbation and believes that the only permissible outlet for sexual energy outside of marriage is through fasting or celibacy.
Hinduism values sexual pleasure but warns against indulging too much in it. It also recognizes gender differences in terms of sexual behavior and expects women to be submissive in bed.
The Kama Sutra - a Hindu text on eroticism - states that women are generally more passive than men and should allow themselves to be dominated by their male partner.
Buddhism views sexual activity as a distraction from enlightenment and advises monks and nuns to abstain from all forms of physical contact, including kissing. At the same time, laypeople can engage in sex within marriage, but they should do so without lust or desire.
Confucianism encourages filial piety, which includes showing respect and deference to one's parents and elders. This means that children should not disobey their parents' wishes regarding sexual activity, even if those wishes contradict societal norms.
Confucians recognize that sexuality is an essential part of life and believe that partners should communicate openly about their desires and preferences.
While religion has shaped sexual morality differently across genders, it does not promote sexual passivity equally among them. Judaism, Islam, and Hinduism place greater importance on active participation in sexual relations, whereas Christianity and Buddhism encourage couples to find balance between intimacy and restraint. Confucianism prioritizes family harmony over individual desire, meaning that both partners must work together to meet each other's needs.
Religious teachings on sexuality reflect broader cultural values and expectations that vary widely across regions and time periods.
In what ways does religion moralize sexual passivity differently across genders?
Religion tends to portray sexuality as an aspect of a woman's nature and role that she must control and limit. While men are expected to express their sexual needs and desires unabashedly, women are told to behave modestly, denying themselves intimacy until marriage.