When people are isolated from society for extended periods of time, their behavior can become extreme and unpredictable. One example is the sexual behaviors that arise in a closed system environment such as a prison or space station. In these situations, people may develop strange habits and preferences due to limited options and social pressures. It's difficult to know how to act when you're alone, so it's natural to seek out comfort and pleasure where you can find it. This means some individuals may engage in unusual practices like masturbation, voyeurism, exhibitionism, fetishizing certain objects, or participating in polyamorous relationships. These activities can be seen as normalized and even encouraged within the group if they provide emotional support or relieve stress.
Long-term isolation also makes sex more dangerous because there's no accountability for abuse, rape, violence, or disease transmission. To prevent this, rules must be established and enforced.
Sexual Norms in Prisons
In prisons, where resources are scarce and inmates have little control over their lives, sex becomes a powerful form of power. Male prisoners often view female inmates as objects to possess and dominate through physical intimacy, while female prisoners use sex to gain favor with other prisoners or guards. The resulting culture of fear and manipulation can lead to assaults and abuse.
Many prisoners engage in "jailhouse romance", which involves exchanging love letters and gifts but never meeting face to face. Despite this risk, jailhouse romances offer an escape from loneliness and boredom.
Sexual Norms on Space Stations
On space stations, where privacy is impossible and everyone shares living quarters, sexuality takes on new forms.
Astronauts may choose not to wear clothes at all times to avoid wasting energy on laundry and preserve personal hygiene. They might also engage in public displays of affection to prove their feelings for one another. Due to limited supplies and space, some couples have resorted to creative solutions like using showerheads for masturbation or recycling bodily fluids for fertilizer. This practice has even inspired a popular porn genre called "zero-gravity sex".
Sexual Norms in Monasteries
In monasteries, where celibacy is required, sexual desire often manifests itself in strange ways. Some monks engage in ritualized behaviors like kissing the feet of saints or holding hands during prayer, while others develop crushes on fellow monks without acting on them. These practices are viewed as acceptable since they don't involve penetration or orgasm.
When two monks do break the rules, it can cause a rift within the community and damage their spiritual journey. To prevent this, monasteries enforce strict rules about physical contact and provide outlets for emotional expression.
Closed system environments create unique challenges for human behavior, including sexual norms. While some practices may seem strange from an outside perspective, they serve important needs within these groups. It's essential to understand how people behave under pressure so we can better support them and protect those who need it most.
What sexual norms emerge in closed-system environments?
Sexual norms are defined as expectations of sexual behaviors that are generally accepted within a group or community. In closed-system environments such as prisons or military units, there may be specific sexual norms that develop due to the limited interactions available with people outside the system. These norms can include homosexual relationships, sex for status or power, and nonconsensual sex.