Sexual Norms Across Genders
The article will explore how patriarchal religious frameworks influence sexual norms, gender roles, and power dynamics. It will discuss the various ways that these frameworks affect male and female sexuality and intimacy.
Patriarchy is a system that privileges men over women and assigns them certain roles and responsibilities. In most cultures around the world, including India, Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, women are expected to be submissive to men and their husbands in all aspects of life, including in bed. They should never initiate sex or speak up about what they want during it. Men have more freedom than women because they are seen as stronger and superior.
Religion has shaped many societies' views on sexuality for centuries.
Hinduism believes that a woman's primary duty is to give her husband pleasure in bed and satisfy his needs. If she does this well enough, he may reward her with gifts or status.
If she refuses to do so or performs poorly, he can punish her by cheating on her or divorcing her. This creates an unequal dynamic where men have control over women's bodies and desires. Women are viewed as objects rather than people with agency.
Islam also has strict rules regarding modesty, chastity, and purity. Men are allowed to marry four wives at once and engage in polygamy. They must always cover their private parts and avoid touching themselves excessively unless it leads to procreation. Meanwhile, women must stay covered from head-to-toe and obey their husbands in bed. They cannot refuse him anything, even if it hurts them physically or emotionally. These norms create a power imbalance between the sexes, where men hold all the cards.
Judaism teaches that God created man before woman, making them different from one another. Therefore, men are responsible for leading prayer services and providing for their families financially. Women must be submissive to their husbands and follow their lead in everything, including sexually. If they reject their advances, they risk damaging the marriage. This puts men in charge of women's bodies and emotions, making them feel guilty for being human beings who desire physical intimacy.
Christianity teaches that sex is only acceptable within marriage between husband and wife. It should occur frequently and exclusively for reproduction purposes. Sexual pleasure outside of this framework is sinful and against God's law. Women may enjoy sex but should never initiate it or ask for more than what their partner offers. Men should control their desires and not act on them without consent. This view devalues female sexuality and makes it taboo outside of marriage.
These religious frameworks shape gender roles and expectations around sex. They limit women's agency, freedom, and self-expression while empowering men. They also create a hierarchy based on gender, with men holding most of the power. This can harm relationships, as women may feel trapped or abused by their partners. It can also affect mental health, causing anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.
It contributes to social inequality, keeping women at home and under men's thumbs.
How do patriarchal religious frameworks shape sexual norms, relational hierarchy, and the internal experience of erotic desire across genders?
The patriarchal framework that is prevalent in many religions has shaped our society's views on sexuality, gender roles, and relationships. This framework has been perpetuated through cultural conditioning, socialization, and traditional teachings that prioritize male authority over female subordination, making it difficult for women to express their desires freely and safely.