How does religious instruction for boys shape sexual confidence, erotic awareness, and relational negotiation skills during adolescence?
The answer to this question is multifaceted, but there are several ways that religious instruction can influence these factors during adolescence. One way it can affect sexual confidence is through its emphasis on abstinence until marriage. Religious teachings often stress the importance of waiting to have sex until after marriage, which can lead to feelings of shame or guilt if a boy engages in premarital sex. This can impact his self-esteem and confidence levels, making him feel like he has done something wrong or that he is less than his peers who may be having sex earlier.
Religious teachings about the sacredness of marriage can reinforce the idea that sex outside of marriage is unholy and therefore taboo, further contributing to feelings of embarrassment or shame.
Another way religious instruction can shape sexual confidence is by teaching that sex is only permissible within certain contexts, such as marriage. This can create anxiety around the act of sex itself, leading some boys to worry that they will do it incorrectly or that their partner won't enjoy it enough. It can also create fear and confusion around topics like contraception, as many religions forbid their use. This can make it difficult for them to ask questions or seek out information that could help them feel more confident in their sexual relationships.
Religious instruction can also shape erotic awareness by teaching that sexual desire is evil or sinful. This can make boys feel ashamed of their own desires and lead them to suppress them rather than explore them. It can also create an atmosphere of fear and secrecy around sex, making it difficult for them to understand what they find erotic and how to communicate those needs with partners.
Religious instruction can influence relational negotiation skills by emphasizing traditional gender roles and power dynamics. Boys are often taught that they should be the ones initiating sexual encounters and taking control during intercourse, which can lead to difficulties communicating effectively with partners and negotiating boundaries. They may also learn that women are subservient to men and must defer to their sexual wishes, creating a situation where they have difficulty expressing their own preferences or needs.
Religious instruction can have a profound impact on sexual confidence, erotic awareness, and relational negotiation skills during adolescence. By understanding these potential influences, parents and educators can work to provide boys with the tools and support they need to develop healthy attitudes towards sex and intimacy.
How does religious instruction for boys shape sexual confidence, erotic awareness, and relational negotiation skills during adolescence?
Research shows that religious instruction can have both positive and negative effects on the development of sexual confidence, erotic awareness, and relational negotiation skills in adolescent boys. On one hand, religious teachings may promote healthy attitudes towards sex and relationships by emphasizing abstinence until marriage and promoting monogamy and fidelity within marriages (e. g. , Kerr et al. , 2013).