Early Religious Education Shapes Erotic Scripts and Consent Understanding
Early religious education shapes children's views on romantic relationships from an early age. These views continue to affect them throughout their lives. This is especially true for those who were raised in a conservative religious setting.
Religion teaches people that sex outside of marriage is sinful. It also teaches that women are subservient to men and must obey them. From this, it follows that consent cannot be given freely because one party always has authority over the other. Sex is also something that should happen between married partners. In fact, some religions even believe that if a couple does not consummate their marriage, they may be cursed by God.
This can lead to issues with understanding and giving consent.
A woman may feel guilty about her own desires if she believes she must submit to her husband's wishes. She may also fear punishment or eternal damnation if she chooses to deny him sexually. As such, she may not feel comfortable saying no to anything he wants. Similarly, a man may believe he has a right to his wife's body simply by virtue of being her husband. He may see refusal as disrespectful or insulting. Therefore, he may pressure or coerce her into having sex against her will.
This problem can be exacerbated when religion becomes intertwined with cultural norms. In many societies, women are expected to stay silent and passive in bed. They may even be told to lie there like a 'dead fish.' This further reinforces the idea that they have little say in what happens during intimacy.
Early religious education often fails to address topics like sexual orientation, gender identity, or non-heterosexual relationships. LGBTQ+ people may not know how to navigate their faith and personal identities simultaneously. They may be shunned for expressing themselves openly or pressured to hide who they really are. Without proper guidance, this can cause confusion and anxiety. It can also lead to misconceptions about what is acceptable and healthy in terms of relationships.
Early religious education plays an essential role in shaping our views on sex and romance.
It should be balanced with other forms of education to provide a more nuanced perspective. Children need to learn about consent, communication, and mutual respect from a young age. Only then can we create safe and satisfying intimate experiences for everyone involved.