The topic of sex and its related issues have always been considered taboo in society. Although it is an integral part of human life, people hesitate to discuss their views about it openly. Sexuality plays a significant role in one's physical, emotional, and psychological well-being and shapes their personality too. It has a strong influence on interpersonal relationships and social interactions.
Societal and cultural forces play a crucial role in influencing the way people perceive and express themselves sexually. This can be seen through a study conducted at the University of Virginia where researchers found that social norms affect how much pleasure women derive from sex. The study was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal and concluded that culture has a significant effect on female orgasm rates. This means that a woman's chances of achieving sexual satisfaction depend on her country of residence.
As per this study, women who live in countries with less restrictive attitudes towards sex enjoy more frequent orgasms than those living in conservative cultures. Similarly, according to the Pornhub Insights Report 2019, Indian men search for porn more frequently than any other nation in the world. They searched for "Indian" on the platform over three million times, compared to Americans who only made around half as many searches (1.43 million). These figures indicate that Indians are more interested in exploring their sexual desires online than any other population in the world. This can be attributed to the pressure they face regarding sexuality in real life, pushing them to seek alternative methods of satisfying their needs.
Such behavior may lead to unsatisfactory or unhealthy encounters, which could result in negative consequences later on. Thus, society's pressure leads to sexual dissatisfaction among individuals and couples.
Another example is the case of rape victims in India who have been forced into marriages due to societal pressures. In most cases, marriage is considered the best option for a raped girl or an unmarried mother. As a result, they end up in relationships where they do not feel emotionally satisfied. In addition, married women in India have reportedly had fewer orgasms than their western counterparts, as per a survey conducted by the BBC. The study revealed that less than half of the respondents were happy with their intimate lives and only 18% said they enjoyed sex. Most women felt ashamed to share their views publicly but preferred keeping it within their confines. This shows how cultural norms limit female sexual pleasure, leading to lower levels of satisfaction even after getting married.
People from conservative cultures also tend to avoid talking about sex openly, resulting in limited knowledge about sex and its related issues. This can lead to embarrassment when discussing matters relating to sex, affecting their romantic relationship negatively. People are often taught that their partners should fulfill all their sexual desires and fantasies, making them dependent on others for gratification. They fail to understand their own bodies and pleasures, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation. Such situations can cause psychological distress and emotional damage, impacting their physical well-being too. Sexuality is not just about physical pleasure; it includes emotions, mental health, and social connections. Therefore, it requires mutual understanding between partners to ensure satisfactory outcomes.
Society's pressure prevents individuals from expressing themselves freely, ultimately hindering this process.
Societal pressures play a crucial role in shaping an individual's perspective towards sex and intimacy. It limits their chances of experiencing true sexual pleasure and satisfaction due to unrealistic expectations and lack of self-awareness. While exploring one's sexuality may help achieve better results, it requires the support of family members and friends to make informed decisions. Thus, the need for comprehensive sex education becomes more critical than ever before. Society needs to accept diverse opinions regarding sexuality and allow individuals to explore different aspects of their personalities without judgment or prejudice. Otherwise, they will continue to suffer from dissatisfaction in relationships and experience depression or stress.
How do societal and cultural pressures around sexuality affect sexual behavior, fantasies, and relational satisfaction?
Societal and cultural pressures around sexuality can have a significant impact on an individual's sexual behavior, fantasies, and relational satisfaction. These pressures can shape expectations about what is considered acceptable or desirable in terms of sexual behavior, which may lead individuals to feel pressure to conform to these norms even if they are not truly comfortable with them.