All about the Concept of Sex

All about the Concept of Sex

 

Introduction

            One of the most important topics to consider in the society is the topic about sex.  Most people have different perception about sex and most can be said to have a very little knowledge about it. Most of the time, people viewed it as a human desire which should be fulfilled with the blessings of marriage.  Primarily, the goal of this paper is to analyse the definition of sex and discuss about the definition of sexual pleasure, Freud sexuality and type of sexuality/Oedipus complex.  Understanding the meaning and comprehending concept of sex is important to draw a conclusion on whether this can be used for psychodynamic counselling.

Definition of Sex

            Accordingly, sex is defined as either of two major forms of individuals which occur in various species and which are distinguished respectively as male or male, specifically on the basis of the structures of their reproductive organs.  On the other hand, it is also defined as functional, structural and behavioral characteristics of organisations which are involved in reproduction marked by the union of their gametes and that distinguish females or males.  According yo Canadian Federation for Sexual Health (2009), sex is an expression and reproductive choice and considered as a fundamental rights for people throughout life. Realizing the importance of knowing the definition of sex, it is said that information about sex could really help individual know its true essence with regards to physical, emotional or even health aspects.

Definition sexual pleasure

            Sexual pleasure is an emotion which is felt when people are sexually aroused. The sexual arousal is the body’s response to sexual stimulation. As part of the context of sex, sexual pleasure is also recognised as a universal right.  Accordingly, human can experience pleasure in various ways through hugging, touching, kissing, exercise and others. Scholars note that some of the greatest physical pleasures involved sexual experience and arousal.  Accordingly, the foundations of sexual pleasure should be considered as biological, regardless of the momentousness or triviality of the cultural influences.

To give an example, the penile erection is very evident in the male future by the 38th week in utero, long before environmental or cultural conditioning could have significant influence. Other, suggestive evidence is the existence of the clitoris, a reproductive organ which ultimate function is to give pleasure (Abramson & Pinkerton, 1995). On the other hand, the physiological specialization for pleasure is specifically evident in orgasm. It can be argued that the orgasm of male is subservient to ejaculation and hence, satisfies reproductive purpose.

In line with female orgasm, women can definitely ovulate and conceive without orgasm. In addition, women seem to attain orgasm more readily in times of clitoral masturbation and oral-genital sex than in vaginal penetration. This indicates that t female orgasm is relatively less common during reproductive sexual activities. With this aspect, the context of “phantom orgasm,” was introduced. This is a phenomenon experienced by some men with spinal cord injuries.

Even if physiology lays the biological bases for sexual functioning, culture, learning, and other environmental factors tend to identify the ways in which humans ultimately experience and express their sexual preferences. Studies show that there is enormous variability in the experience of sexual pleasure, much of which arises from disparate cultural expectations and norms, specifically with regards to gender differences in human sexual behavior.

 

Definition Freud sexuality

            The theory of Freud’s of human personality and development are subjected upon his invention of the psychoanalysis therapeutic technique. In this classical theory of Freud, there is but one instinct or drive, which is the sexual drive. The definition of Freud about sexuality is noted to be extremely large, and indeed seems to be all-embracing as to be worthless. It is true that the capacity for individual organism is there neurologically from birth.

However, Freud was not just giving emphasis on orgasm. For him, sexuality meant not only an intercourse between two individuals, but all pleasurable sensation from the skin. According to him, it is evident even to the most prudish among us that even infants, babies, children, and, of course, adults, enjoy pleasurable experiences such as caresses, kisses, hugging and other. In hi theory, he also notes that at various times in our lives, various parts of the skin give us greatest pleasure.

According to Freud’s theory, sexuality comes from different stages. Each phase is a progression into adult sexual maturity, which is described by a strong ego as well as the ability to delay gratification. Accordingly, he utilised Oedipus conflict to point how much he believed that people desires incest and this should be represses. Freud analysed Oedipus conflict as a state of psychosocial development as well as awareness.

According to psychoanalysts Melanie Klein, in sexuality, both the artistic creativity as well as bodily pleasures was areas in which the central human struggle between hate, love, and compensation was carried out. Men and women were deeply seen as concerned regarding the balance with their own ability to hate and love, about their potentialities to keep their object alive, both their relationships to other as real objects as well as internal objects, inner sense of goodness as well as vitality. In her view, Klein perceived that sexual intercourse is a highly dramatic part in which both individuals impact one another and the quality of the essence of an individual were exposed and on the line. The capability to arouse and satisfy the partner represented a person’s compensation capacities; to give pleasure and enjoyment suggested that the love of one to another was stronger than hate.  The potentialities to be aroused and satisfied by the other imply that one was alive, and that his/her internal objects were flourishing (Mitchell & Black, 1995).

In the theory of Lacan, it was mentioned that people are not even in control of their own desires since such desired are separated from the actual bodily needs as the phallus is not connected from the biological penis. In this regard, it has been suggested that whereas zero form of sexuality for animals is known as copulation, the zero form of sexuality in human beings is masturbation.  According to Lacan, sexuality is driven by love.

Different Sexuality/Oedipus Complex

 Sexuality has different types, depending on how theorists view it. The Oedipus complex in Freud’s psychoanalytic theory is noted as a group of largely unconscious (dynamically repressed) feelings and ideas which focuses on the desire to have the parent of the opposite sex and eliminate the parent of the same sex (Rycroft, 1995). In the classical theory, the complexity happens during the so-called oedipal stage of the libidinal and ego development. This occurs between the ages of three and five. However, oedipal signs and materialisation may be detected earlier.

            Accordingly, this type of sexuality is a universal occurrence, built in phylogenetically, and is accountable for much unconscious guilt among individuals.  It is said that classical theory notes the successful resolution of the Oedipus complex to be desirable in developmental aspects, and it is noted to be the vital aspects for the development of gender roles as well as identity. According to Freud, boys and girls resolved such conflicts distinctively and uniquely as a result of the male’s castration anxiety which is caused by the rivalry with their fathers and the female’s penis envy.

            The resolution of the Oedipus complex, as classical theory perceives, takes place with the identification of the parent of the same sex and the temporary renunciation of the parent of the opposite sex. Those individuals who are fixated at the oedipal level are considered as father fixated or mother-fixated and reveal this by selecting sexual partners who are discernible surrogates for their parent(s).

The Freudian theory, Oedipus complex, had influenced early thoughts and perception of what males should and should not be. The general idea of the theory showed that men are figures of power and authority as they are the “One”, while females were regarded as the “Other”. This theory had somehow shaped the views of media audiences and producers. In a way, the theory had facilitated the people’s view on the image sexuality and sexual preferences.

 

Conclusion

            By and large, it can be concluded that sexual desires are a normal feeling among individuals. However, being human, it is important that people should be responsible on how they do it and how they intend to do it. The sexuality of the people is bounded by different theories which should be given consideration to understand why people act differently than the other. Based on the given statements about sex, sexuality and sexual pleasure, it can be said this can still be used in the context of psychodynamic counseling. It is still important that the theories should be a part of the counseling technique to provide efficient recommendation to a given situation.

 

Reference

Abramson, PR and Pinkerton, SD (1995).  With Pleasure: Thoughts on the Nature of Human Sexuality. Oxford University Press, 1995. 310 pg

 

Mitchell, S. A., & Black, M. J. (1995). Freud and beyond. New York: Basic Books.

 “Oedipus Complex”. (2000). The Columbia Encyclopedia. Sixth Edition. New York: Columbia University Press.

 

 

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