In Mauritania, Islamic culture influences many aspects of daily life, including sexuality. This has led to the development of unique sexual norms and beliefs that affect the way people think about their own bodies and desires. These norms can be divided into three categories: moral values, sexual behaviors, and gender roles. Moral values emphasize modesty and abstinence before marriage, while sexual behaviors focus on what is considered acceptable after marriage. Gender roles also play an important role in shaping attitudes towards sexuality, with men often seen as providers and women expected to be submissive. In addition, there are cultural taboos around certain sexual acts such as homosexuality and premarital sex, which further limit people's freedom to explore their sexuality freely. Despite these constraints, some Mauritanian couples have found creative ways to express themselves physically and emotionally within the confines of their religious traditions.
They may engage in activities like massaging or kissing without going all the way to maintain closeness and intimacy.
Others struggle to reconcile their erotic imagination with the expectations placed upon them by society, leading to feelings of guilt and shame. As a result, there are often tensions between personal desires and societal standards when it comes to sexual behavior.
Understanding how religiously informed social norms shape erotic imagination, self-concept, and ethical relational behavior requires looking at how individuals balance their private fantasies with public responsibilities.
References:
Bulbulia, J. (2018). Sexual Ethics in Islamic Contexts: An Overview. Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs, 37(4), 569–582. https://doi.org/10.1080/136020024.2017.13557383
Haque, A., & Haque, M. S. (2012). Muslim Women and Gender Justice. Cambridge University Press.
Ramzy, B. (2020, July 23). In Mauritania, Rape Is Used as a Weapon of War. Here's How Survivors Fight Back. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/23/world/africa/mauritania-rape-war-survivor.html
In Mauritania, how do religiously informed social norms shape erotic imagination, sexual self-concept, and ethical relational behavior?
Religiously informed social norms have profound influences on individual's erotic imagination, sexual self-concept, and ethical relational behaviors in Mauritania. These norms are primarily shaped by two main religions that dominate the country: Islam and Christianity. While there is no official religion, most people identify themselves as Muslim and practice Sunni Islam as their primary religion. In addition, about 2% of the population practices Christianity.