Social norms are cultural rules that guide people's behavior towards each other. They shape expectations about how to dress, act, talk, interact, and think. Social norms can vary widely from one culture to another and have changed throughout history. In modern times, there is no consensus on what constitutes acceptable or unacceptable sex acts.
One way to understand how these judgements form is through the concept of moral foundations theory. Moral foundations identify the innate human tendencies that underlie morality across cultures and time periods.
Harm/care is the idea that hurting others is immoral, while fairness/reciprocity refers to treating others fairly. The third foundation is loyalty/ingroup-outgroup, which values protecting in-group members above out-group members.
Authority/respect rewards respect for traditionally powerful figures like kings and priests.
According to this theory, moral judgments arise when social norms align with these four foundations.
Sexual activities that involve harm (rape) violate harm/care; those that show lack of reciprocity (stealing kisses) transgress fairness/reciprocity; ones that disregard ingroups (adultery) defy loyalty/ingroup-outgroup; and those that challenge authority (incest) reject authority/respect.
Some actions may be more difficult to judge due to ambiguity.
It can be unclear whether kissing someone without permission crosses a line between personal space and assault.
Social media has become a dominant force in shaping social norms around sex. Online communities often normalize new ideas that were once taboo.
Pornography was once seen as deviant but now has many followers online. Social media also encourages sharing private information about intimate encounters, creating an environment where people feel comfortable expressing their desires.
Social norms are crucial to understanding how we make moral judgements about sex. They guide our perceptions of what is acceptable or unacceptable behavior and shape the language we use to discuss it. They are constantly evolving and changing, influenced by technology, culture, and history. Understanding these trends can help us navigate complex sexual situations and communicate effectively with others.
How do social norms influence sexual moral judgments?
Social norms are the rules of behavior that govern individuals' interactions with each other. They provide guidance on what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior within a society. The values that underpin these norms can be communicated through various channels such as media, family, friends, and education. Sexual morality is the set of beliefs that dictates whether certain sexual behaviors are right or wrong, good or bad, desirable or undesirable.