Sexuality is an integral part of human nature, and it encompasses various aspects, including physical, emotional, psychological, and cultural dimensions. It involves both biological and social components that shape individuals' interactions, behaviors, and perceptions. Sexuality is also closely intertwined with morality, which is defined as the principles governing right and wrong behavior. Moral codes regulate sexual conduct and dictate how people relate to each other sexually. In this essay, I will explore how vulnerability affects ethical relational practices and phenomenological understanding.
Vulnerability refers to a person's susceptibility to harm or injury from external forces beyond their control. In terms of sexuality, it involves exposure to risks such as unwanted pregnancy, sexual violence, sexually transmitted diseases, and rejection. The fear of these dangers creates anxiety, shame, guilt, and embarrassment, leading individuals to develop defensive mechanisms to protect themselves against potential harms. These defenses may include avoiding intimacy, engaging in promiscuous behavior, using protection measures, seeking validation, and seeking closeness through non-sexual means.
These strategies can lead to unethical actions, such as cheating, infidelity, objectification, coercion, and abuse. Therefore, sexual vulnerability shapes ethical relational practices by creating boundaries between individuals and limiting their freedom of choice.
Phenomenology refers to the study of conscious experience, focusing on individual experiences rather than abstract concepts. In sexuality, it explores the lived body, sensations, emotions, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Phenomenologists argue that sexuality is an embodied experience, meaning it involves physical and mental aspects that influence perceptions, memories, desires, fantasies, and meanings. Accordingly, individuals construct their sexual worldview based on their experiences, values, beliefs, culture, and social environment. Sexuality is also contextual, meaning it changes depending on time, place, power dynamics, and relationships.
Sexual vulnerability influences ethical relational practices by dictating how people relate to each other sexually. It leads individuals to seek safety and control over their bodies, which can result in unethical behaviors. On the other hand, phenomenology provides a framework for understanding sexuality as an embodied, contextualized, and subjective experience. Individuals' lived experiences shape their perceptions of themselves, others, and sexual encounters, influencing their moral decisions. Hence, sexuality is not only biological or socially constructed but also influenced by personal history, cultural norms, and relational dynamics.
To what extent does sexual vulnerability guide ethical relational practices and phenomenological understanding?
People's vulnerabilities can shape their actions and interactions with others to a significant degree. This applies to their sexuality as well. Someone who is sexually vulnerable may feel that they need to engage in certain behaviors or relationships to protect themselves from harm, which could influence how they interact with others and perceive those interactions.