Approaches to Understanding Human Sexuality
Due to its diversity, understanding sexuality may take ten different approaches. However, one needs to have sufficient grasp of each of the ten approaches in order to begin understanding the subject. The knowledge gained would not make you an expert on sexuality but it would definitely make you very well informed and empowered to make decisions relating to sexuality either for yourself or to help others.
Each of the various approaches to sexuality makes different assumptions about the purpose, mechanisms and development of sexual feelings and behavior.
In this article, we shall summarize the ten approaches and their significance to understanding sexuality. In future articles, we will bring you fairly detailed information into each approach.
The 10 approaches are:
- The Medical Approach Deals with Health and Sickness
- The Biological Approach Emphasizes our Animal Nature
- The Psychological Approach has taken Diverse Perspectives to Sexuality
- Social Scientists Focus on the Connection between Sex and Society
- The Law Sets Limits in Sexual Expression
- Feminists Emphasize Women’s Sexual Rights
- Ethical Systems Can be Sex-negative or Sex-positive
- Artists Explore the Intangible Aspects of Sexuality
- Educators Have Struggled to Communicate Basic Knowledge about Sexuality
- Sex Research is Becoming a Discipline in its Own Rights