Sexual repression refers to the suppression or denial of natural human sexual impulses and desires. In most cases, this can lead to various forms of sexual dysfunctions such as frigidity, anorgasmia, premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, vaginismus, etc., which may negatively affect both physical and mental health.
It is also evident that uncontrolled or excessive expression of sexual desire leads to many negative consequences, including extramarital affairs, teenage pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, abortion, promiscuity, pornography addiction, incest, rape, paedophilia, etc. Therefore, society must find a balance between moderation and indulgence when it comes to sex, which requires adequate guidance from parents, teachers, and religious institutions.
Extremist groups are those whose ideology goes beyond what most people would consider acceptable within a given society. They have rigid rules regarding how individuals should dress, behave, think, and even interact with others. These groups often have strict norms concerning gender roles and relationships.
They might discourage women from working outside the home, prevent them from receiving education, or limit their access to healthcare services, among other things. Men are expected to be the breadwinners who provide for their families while women stay at home and take care of children. These norms create a power imbalance where men dominate over women.
Sexual repression can make extremists more authoritarian since they lack knowledge about human sexuality. This ignorance makes them believe in false ideas like sex being immoral or evil, leading to fear and guilt about natural urges. Repression of sexual impulses creates an inner conflict in extremists' minds because they know they want intimacy but cannot express it due to societal expectations. The pressure becomes so intense that they develop psychological tension that can lead to mental disorders such as anxiety and depression. Sexual frustration is also associated with aggressive behaviors such as violence and anger outbursts.
Authoritarianism is the belief in absolute obedience to authority without questioning its decisions. Authoritarians believe in following orders without thinking critically about them. They see themselves as superior to others and may punish anyone who disagrees with them. Authoritarians often view diversity as a threat to their way of life, which leads to prejudice and discrimination against minorities such as gays, lesbians, transgenders, etc. They tend to have rigid opinions on how society should operate and punish those who violate these rules.
Some religious groups ban same-sex relationships, abortion, contraception, pornography, masturbation, and other activities seen as sinful. Anyone engaging in these behaviors risks getting expelled from the group or even killed for going against God's will.
Sexual repression within extremist groups intensifies authoritarian tendencies and psychological rigidity. It limits individuals' ability to think freely and critically about issues related to sex. This ignorance makes them susceptible to believing false ideas like homosexuals being abnormal people who must be shunned from society. Extremists become more hostile towards anything outside their ideology since it challenges their worldview. Repressed sexual desires create inner conflicts that cause psychological distress and lead to destructive behavior. Therefore, addressing this issue is critical if we want to reduce extremism in our societies.
How does sexual repression within extremist groups intensify authoritarian tendencies and psychological rigidity?
Sexual repression is often used as a tool for controlling members of extremist groups, who are expected to abstain from sex before marriage and adhere strictly to gender roles once married. This strict control over one's behavior can lead to feelings of resentment and anger, which may manifest as aggression and authoritarianism towards others outside of the group.