In South America, where Catholicism and indigenous beliefs coexist, people have different views about sex before marriage.
Some Native Americans believe that sex is sacred between a man and woman who are married. It means they share a special bond and commitment to one another. In contrast, Catholics tend to frown upon premarital sex and often view it as wrong or sinful. These religious norms regulate how people explore their bodies before getting into a relationship.
The indigenous tribes in Brazil's Amazon rainforest consider sex to be private and sacred. People can only engage in it after a ceremony called "jurupari". The ceremony includes music, dancing, and storytelling around a fire. During this time, men and women learn about each other through physical contact while keeping their clothes on. Jurupari teaches respect for others' boundaries and honors the natural world around them. This custom helps young adults understand what sexual intimacy entails without being too hasty.
Brazilian urbanites may practice erotic play with strangers during Carnival festivities, which happens annually before Lent. Carnival allows Brazilians to break social taboos by dressing up in elaborate costumes and exploring their desires safely within a crowd of masked revelers. They may flirt, touch, kiss, and even have sex without worrying about repercussions from family or friends because no one knows their identity.
These encounters don't necessarily mean consent or emotional connection; instead, it's more about experimentation and letting loose.
In Ecuador, traditional Catholic beliefs dictate that couples should wait until marriage before having sex. Some families still expect virginity at the wedding night as proof of purity and worthiness.
Some urban youth view sex as an expression of independence and personal freedom outside the bounds of parental control. These attitudes create tension between generations regarding premarital relationships, especially when teenagers want to express themselves while parents want to preserve tradition.
South American religious norms affect how people explore sexuality before entering committed relationships. Indigenous tribes embrace sacred rituals to prepare for intimacy, whereas Catholics discourage casual encounters. Youth face conflicting messages on whether to follow tradition or pursue individual autonomy. Despite cultural differences, all communities recognize the importance of understanding one another's needs through open communication.
References:
* "Sexual Norms and Practices in South America." (2019). Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/sexual-norms-and-practices-in-South-America
* "Jurupari Ceremony - Amazon Indians." (n.d.). Native Lands. https://www.native-lands.org/culture/jurupari-ceremony-amazon-indians
* "The Sexual Revolution Comes to Carnaval." (2013). The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/18/world/the-sexual-revolution-comes-to-carnaval.html
* "Ecuadorian Parents Struggle With Sons' Virginity Loss Before Wedding Day." (2016). Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ecuador-virginity-idUSKCN0ZD2MGI
How do South American religious norms regulate premarital sexual behavior, erotic exploration, and relational agency?
According to scholars, there are various factors that affect the attitudes towards premarital sex, erotic exploration, and relational agency in the context of South America, such as religion, culture, social class, education level, gender, and age. Generally speaking, these three phenomena have been influenced by traditional Catholic values, which emphasized purity, family honor, and heterosexual relationships within marriage.