Why is sex virtually taboo in some countries?

[Peter_20]

I've always wondered why some cultures seem extremely shy to the whole subject sex.
I mean, personally I think sex is one of the most natural activities in existence; besides, it's the most adorable form of love you can think of, and it's a lot about team-work and mutual feelings and everything.
To put it short, sex is totally wonderful in all aspects.
Still, some cultures seem afraid to talk about it, as if it were something "bad".
Some people even deny that they masturbate.
We are all perverts to some degree (possibly with the exception of the asexual individuals), and we all have naughty fantasies and sexual fantasies about other people.
So, why is it that sex is so taboo in some countries?

[Martyr]

Because sex is very personal, and, like anything else that involves personal things, sex is also a very quiet and tabbo kind of... thing.

Of course it's wonderfula dn all that stuff, but it just isn't anything to talk too much about all the time, because sexual fantasies/activities between two people are private things. At least, in my life they are.

Also though, sex is very delicate work, because it affects all emotions, and can hurt people if it is used incorrectly. Masturbation, adultery, and generally sleeping around can cause peoblems for a person. So, since we know what is safe and right, there isn't much to talk about there. When we do things that are a little shady, sexually, then the privateness of it is also more of a secret that requires being kept from much talk. Certainly nobody wants to hear about somebody masturbating all the time, that's not cool, or sleeping around, because STDs aren't cool, or cheating, because striking your wonderful lovers to the heart with your cruel betrayal is also uncool, respectively.

And so it isn't really a decent topic of discussion. I also find it a rather boring topic of discussion, UNLESS we're talking about all the bad things which, of course, nobody wants to talk about because it's bad.

Which is why I get my non-taboo other-people's-sex entertainment from movies, usually comedy. (Romance novels don't do anything for me. I think they're written like crap)

[Renmiri]

When you undress for sex you do it body and soul. You let your partner see your imperfections, inhibitions, your human frailty. You make yourself vulnerable to hurt and to disease. You may be doing something that will have consequences throughout the rest of your life (pregnancy).

Sex is natural but it is also a very significant act on your life. Some taboo encourages people to wait till they are ready. Too much taboo makes a lot of people nutty and spoils sex for many.

[Ki Ki]

I know that for my culture it's more like a classiness thing.
Like girls that sleep around are considered a lower class sort of thing and no will want to marry you. :3

I wouldn't say it's taboo in my country but it's definitely something that isn't taken very open minded like it is over here.

[The Summoner of Leviathan]

What countries are you referring to?

Also, I think I will go with Foucault in this one and say that sex was not suppressed or became taboo, it is just it started to permeate differently within Western culture. There is a myth of sex being completely tabooed and not talked of coming of the Victorian age, rather Foucault argues that it is just how it is talked about is different. Rather than that, there was an explosion, though in how it was talked about as less obvious at times. *is basing this off of memory from last year*

[Miriel]

I would never use the word "adorable" to describe sex. And I'd say that it's a big mistake to say that "sex is totally wonderful in every aspect". That's not true at all. I'm pretty sure that sex slaves at the very least would disagree with that point.

I'm not really sure which cultures you're referring to, but in America at least, sex itself is not taboo, talking about it openly kinda is though. Lots of people, everywhere are having sex. It's just when it shows up in popular culture that people start getting uppity about it. But even in America, sex and sexuality is pretty prevalent in mainstream media.

[Yuna_wannabe]

Baha i have no clue all i know is here in Newfoundland it seems like thats all my group talks about.

Also i think here at least if you have had sex, you dont talk abot it because your looked at differently. Like Ki ki said it shows classiness.


I guess its "taboo" when it comes to talking about it because its something thats happens behind closed doors thats part of your personal life. People find it uncomfortable to talk about. Sex to be honest is something i guess that can be considered sacred and should only be shared with someone you love.

its honestly a good qestion...your gonna have me thinking bout that all day..

[Dr Unne]

Still, some cultures seem afraid to talk about it, as if it were something "bad".

There's a difference between bad and private.

[Dreddz]

Your mind is several decades in the past, nowadays sex isnt taboo in any countries.

[Yuna_wannabe]

Um i think it still is in some...but not taboo in most

[Disco Potato]

So, why is it that sex is so taboo in some countries?

I think the prevailing religious beliefs of people in a country (and the degree to which people adhere to the beliefs) affect taboos in some ways.

[Madame Adequate]

Still, some cultures seem afraid to talk about it, as if it were something "bad".

There's a difference between bad and private.

Private is when you don't talk about it to people you don't know well. That is very far from the opinions of a lot of people, who treat mere reference to sex as on par with course swearing, and consider depictions of sex more significant than depictions of severe violence.

[Hambone]

In the case of the United States; Victorian Era.

^^^

My brother said to put that...

[DarkLadyNyara]

Often, taboos are due to religion. This is especially notable among, say, America's religious right (opposes a vaccine for cervical cancer on the grounds on immorality), or in many Muslim countries.

Your mind is several decades in the past, nowadays sex isnt taboo in any countries.

You...you're kidding, right? Please tell me you are kidding.

[Rocket Edge]

Often, taboos are due to religion.

Yep. Here it's kinda like, nobody really talks about it much at all because it's considered a private thing for that person. A more than likely good thing.