The Meaning of Sex - Grade: C PDF

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Paper on meaning of sex from one required source (Sexuality Now Embracing Diversity)....

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Even though there are many species that display sexual behavior, human beings are the only species to have gone beyond instinctual mating rituals to create ideas, laws, customs, fantasies, and art around sexuality (Carroll, 2019, p. 4). This makes sexuality a uniquely human trait. Many theorists and scientists look at the sole purpose of sex as reproducing. They even believe that some sexual activities have evolved to ensure the survival of the species. For example, orgasms make sexual intercourse pleasurable; which increases the frequency that people engage in it and increases the possibility for reproduction. But sex is much more than that when it comes to relationships. Sex is one of the essential parts of a relationship. When in a committed relationship, sex shouldn’t be just a disposable act. It should be taken seriously because of the intimacy it brings into the relationship. Sex allows you to get close, feel free with and open up to your partner. Having sex has the potential to create a strong bond of love and affection. It also generates a deep connection with your partner. A healthy, stable sex life keeps couples together. Studies have shown that lack of sex is a major factor that causes infidelity and break ups in marriage and relationships (Carroll, 2019, p. 215). Sex can be used to make up after a fight and could potentially increase the emotional intimacy afterwards. And in the later years, a continuous sex life can keep aging adults happy and vibrant. When sex is not an option in a relationship, many issues can arise: lack of trust, betrayals, jealousy, loss of happiness, and no communication (Carroll, 2019, p. 172). Poor communication is a huge relationship killer. When there is no proper communication in a relationship, that relationship is bound to come to a catastrophic end. There are also many health-related benefits of having sex. This includes decrease allostatic load, stronger immune systems, and lower levels of illness (Carroll, 2019, p. 156). Very little sex can possibly create a lack of trust which will put skepticism and ambivalence into the relationship. This can also halt the process of understanding or acknowledge each of the partner’s needs. Therefore, sexual activity is vital to keeping the relationship going and interesting. Most couples evaluate their relationships with a cost-benefit analysis. If the benefits outweigh the costs, they’re basically content in the relationship, and vice versa (Carroll, 2019, p. 208). Therefore, bad sex would be a major factor in break-ups. If you don’t express real love to your partner, then sex will suffer and become a meaningless ritual. The feeling of intense pleasure and closeness together are the foundation of the physical act. This is why it’s important for both partners to give and receive pleasure at the same time. And this is especially true for married couples, which are usually more at risk. According to Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theory, the sex drive is one of the most important forces in life. And one of the most powerful drives in human behavior is “libido”, which is sexual motivation (Carroll, 2019, p. 28). So, when sex becomes meaningless, the libido is lost and the need for physical intimacy is gone. As a result, the emotional intimacy in the relationship suffers.

Sex is a fascinating subject because of the strong feelings involved, its potential for pleasure, and the deeply held cultural beliefs surrounding sex. Sex can be an expression of affection, intimacy, and love within a loving relationship. Sex can also be used purely for sexual pleasure or for procreation. Either way sex is a significant fragment in majority of people’s romantic lives.

Carroll, J. L. (2019). Sexuality Now Embracing Diversity. Australia: Cengage....