Studying sexuality can be dated back to Plato’s Symposium, where the origins of gender and desire were discussed. However, the modern western study of sexuality as a formal intellectual discipline begins with the sexologists in the late nineteenth century.
The modernists said that sexual experience was not in any way affecting the moral character (Ellis, Kinsey, Masters & Johnson, 1976). Instead, modernists viewed sexual experience in a positive light when properly managed.
Why Studying Human Sexuality Is Important
The challenge of such research has most likely been a reason to avoid it. However, I view the challenge as even more of a reason to pursue it. There is no superior place for the study of education than in an institution of education. The research can only benefit itself in educating its members, in addition to the wider community.
According to Priscilla Pardini who is a re-known scholar in this field of the study states that:
”It is can be viewed as a selfish study in the way that an educational institution is studying the methods of education “ (Pardini 1998).
However, it can also be considered altruistic in its aims of helping others shape a full sexual life and understand its positive effects. In understanding individual sexual development and finding personal identity, and discovering different lifestyles.
It is also a topic that all humans can relate to, and are emotional and often spiritually involved with. Therefore if one can educate the community in this faculty, what is learned will then easily carry over to perspectives held in other faculties.
“With sexuality education having this powerful effect, it would be an excellent choice for further research “(Crasnow 2001).
Another thing that why studying human sexuality is important is that Contraception is an extremely vast topic however little it does not need much research. It is at times called birth control, contraception is different ways in which one can enjoy a sexual relationship without getting pregnant. The barrier methods stop sperm from being transferred to the uterus. Condoms and Intrauterine devices are examples of barrier methods.
By studying human sexuality one can know about the Chemical methods that are utilized to prevent pregnancy. The most frequently used is a pill; surgical sterilization along with natural family planning is also a common method of birth control which is known by studying human sexuality. Surgical sterilization is extremely popular in old aged
The only way not to get pregnant is not to have sex, however, If used properly the current ways of contraception can prevent an individual from getting pregnant.
Criticism of the Subject Matter
The most evident problem with birth control would be the effects of synthetic hormones on a woman’s body. By using birth control A woman experiences a lot of bodily changes like weight gain, blood clots, mood swings, severe headaches, bloating, dizziness, etc (Tivnan 1995). The problems with other forms of birth control such as the diaphragm, cervical cap, and female condoms could be the improper placement of the item or a reaction to the materials it is comprised of.
Don Marquis, a professor at Kansas university of philosophy takes a moderate-conservative view, he subtly states that:
” The use of contraceptive is a type of abortion before pregnancy.” (Benevac 1992)
The article by Margaret Sanger (2005), a nurse, birth control activist, and lecturer states that The Comstock Law of 1873 prohibited the distribution of information and contraception devices to women. Ms. Sanger began to illegally distribute information and methods of contraception to women. Obtaining a second factual statement in Ms. Sanger’s article impossible proved to be unfeasible. Although the article made extremely strong points regarding a woman’s right to choose a method of birth control, the article was predominately the opinions of Ms. Sanger.
Even the catholic church criticizes the use of contraception, Pope Benedict XVI: believes that the divine purpose of sex i.e. giving life is eradicated if contraceptive methods will be used.
Many religious and industry leaders embraced this statement, and fail to recognize the suffrage caused by overpopulation. Religiously people argue that it is wrong to exercise birth control and that it goes against what the Bible teaches. In the eyes, many people view abortion as a form of birth control. Perhaps due to abortion so many people are against controlling population control. But, in the means of trying to educate underdeveloped countries abortion would not be finically possible.
There are also some religions that do not allow the use of contraception. Muslims, for example, are not permitted to have premarital sex, and even when the time has come, sexual intercourse with contraception is prohibited. Christians also believe that contraception is extremely wrong. It is not much even science can do when it comes to breaking peoples’ believe and telling them that their religion is wrong. Christians or Muslims who have strong faith in their religion would not agree to this and try their level best to wipe out all the research regarding contraception
Paul Murray (2005) a professor of spiritual theology at the Angelicum University discusses a “holistic approach” to birth control. Mr. Murray uses excerpts from “Humanae Vitae” written by Pope Paul VI in 1968 to use as a backup for his statements. He and his wife use a method much like the rhythm method, in which they refrain from having sex during her fertile period. He states that individuals do not cease to mature beyond childhood. Mr. Murray also states that the number of sexual partners per American has increased significantly. He was not completely against birth control, just the use of artificial hormones. He did discuss the method he and his wife use as birth control. basically, they are not sexually active during the period in which she is fertile. I do not fully agree with his use of the religious article, “Humanae vitae”, to back up his point of view. However, I did find it very informative with respect to the Vatican’s stance on birth control.
Conclusion
The topic of human sexuality and contraception plays great importance in the lives of people; many scholars have studied have presented their views. The fact that this field of study is very vast it cannot be limited to one field. Every scholar of liberal arts realizes its importance.
Criticism is given on every topic that does not in any way reduce the importance of the field of study. Some go for contraception; there is much criticism on the topic however it not reduce its importance.
Different types of contraception were invented in order to prevent a lot of pregnancies that are not wanted this may reduce the rates of abortion. By stating that any type of contraceptive is prima facie ethically immoral, we are defeating our purpose against abortion.
References
Benevac, D (1992). Today’s Moral Issues: Classic and Contemporary Perspectives. Indianapolis: Mayfield Publication Company.
Crasnow, S, L. (2001); Models and reality: When science tackles sex. Hypatia, 16, 138-150.
Ellis, H., Kinsey, A., Masters, W. & Johnson, V. (1976); The Modernization of Sex. NY: Harper and Row.
Pardini, P. (1998); The History of Sexuality Education. Rethinking Schools: an urban education resource, 12, 4-11.
Paul Murray (2005); The Purpose of Sex Is Reproduction. Excerpted from Paul Murray, “The Power of ‘Humanae Vitae,’” Brenda Stalcup, Ed. Greenhaven Press.
Sanger, Margaret (1920) Women’s Right to Birth Control. Excerpted from Margaret Sanger (2005); Woman and the New Race,..Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Thomson Gale.
Tivnan, E (1995). The Moral Imagination: Confronting the Ethical Issues of Our Day. New York: Simon & Schuster.