Sex Ethics

In the Western culture we are a very sex negative society. For example looking at how kids are taught about sex its always a very negative way. Classes are typically oriented around avoiding sex (abstinence) and how it can be potentially harming to how people view them. The topics of masturbation, prostitution and pornography are very much frowned upon in the Western culture because live in such a sex negative secluded society. These things shouldn’t be looked on as unethical because it is every individual’s choice with their sexuality and how they want to perceive it as.

Masturbation is frowned upon by many religions and in many cultures as well. In the 1600’s it was illegal for men in China to masturbate because they were putting their potential offspring to waste. Reality is, it is not likely to find a person that does not masturbate. It’s a natural activity done by humans to reduce stress, help them go to sleep or just doing it for the sexual pleasure they got out of it. Sex is a natural act and need for people. It’s a drive and motive; it’s not something that should be looked at as unethical. People masturbate in the sense to help their state of mind. Not everyone will do it and might find it odd but its ethical value should stay that it’s okay to do.

Alongside the unethical issue of masturbation, prostitution is also a problem that many people have with individuals. The idea of selling a person’s body for money and sexual purposes comes off as a little off and not very ethical. Many people think in this perspective because they could not imagine living in someone’s shoes being a prostitute and selling their body’s to act of sex. Prostitution is a choice of one’s own and how they want to lead their lives. Whether it is ethical to most people, probably not. In my eyes I think it is ethical in a respect to if the man or woman is being safe about their acts and understands the consequences of what they are doing. Many people lead to prostitution because they need to put food on a table, raise a family, pay bills and simply need to something other than work a low paying minimum wage job to help support their family. How does that make prostitution unethical? Every person has his or her own way of getting by life.

Another taboo topic that emerges in the western culture is the topic of the porn industry and pornography. With the progression of technology and how film gets around, pornography has become one of the easiest accessible things in today’s age. With a click of a button and the typing of a few words anyone can have access to porn on the Internet. The ethical issue with pornography is exposing ones self and being recorded as an occupation. Many people find pornography like prostitution unethical because a person is throwing their body out in the open like a pile of skin with no other value but sex. I don’t think this is unethical because everyone plays a role in society. Whether the role be a janitor, a shop owner or teacher, some peoples potential and calling was to be a porn star. Pornography shouldn’t be looked as unethical but in a positive way in order to help some couples and individuals not only improve their sex lives, but also their relationship with a spouse. Porn can be used as tool to help relationships and sex lives. Its not unethical just a different method of how to help relationships.

These three issues of masturbation, prostitution and pornography are all ethical in their own sense. Each of these holds a natural quality to them in how individuals express themselves sexually and how they go through with their days. Some people have different methods of how to hold up a family and unfortunately many people look at them as unethical and immoral.