Unit 3
Sexualities in Other Cultures

Unit 3 addresses the fact that every human culture has its own set of rules and beliefs that regulate sexual behaviour and profoundly influence people's attitudes about what constitutes sexuality. For instance, in North American society, the taboos that surround sexuality have hidden the reality of this culture's sexual diversity. Regardless of the theoretical approach taken, it is safe to say that sexuality is central to people's identities and values and, as such, it often imposes barriers to an acceptance of diversity. Unit 3 examines the wide range of sexual behaviours that occur in and across cultures, and assesses the potential benefits of the social affirmation of sexual diversity. The unit concludes with examples that illustrate cross-cultural differences in sexual attitudes, beliefs, and behaviours.

Objectives

When you have completed the study activities for Unit 3, you should be able to

1. explain how societal taboos mask sexual diversity.
2. postulate the purpose of social judgments about sexuality.
3. speculate on why and for whom Canadian society has established values and rules relating to sexual behaviour.
4. describe the role of sexuality as it intersects with personal identity.
5. describe cross-cultural differences in sexual beliefs and behaviours.
6. discuss the advantages of recognizing and affirming sexual diversity.
7. discuss how scientific and popular narratives work to reduce sexual diversity and encourage a particular political stance.