Sexuality

Sociology of the Family: Sexuality Overview

  • Date: February 12, 2025

Schedule

  • Today: Focus on Sexuality

  • Upcoming Topics:

    • Wednesday, Feb. 19: Marriage and Cohabitation

    • Monday, Feb. 24: “Freedom to Marry” Documentary

    • Wednesday, Feb. 26: Exam 2

Today's Focus: Sexuality

  • Definition: A suite of identities and behaviors that define sexual self, including sexual desires and sexual partners.

  • Historical Context:

    • Attitudes and behaviors related to sexuality from the Colonial period to the 1960s.

    • Trends in attitudes and behaviors related to sexuality since the 1960s.

    • Historical events from the 1920s to the present influencing these trends.

Historical Overview

I. Colonial Era to 1890

  • Sexual intercourse was primarily viewed as a marital act intended for procreation.

  • Concept of sexual orientation was non-existent.

  • Economic Shift: Transition from agrarian to capitalist economy between 1815 and 1840 led to:

    • Increased autonomy for men, who no longer had to wait for parental land.

    • Women's virtue was emphasized to control men’s sexuality.

II. 1890 to 1960: Romantic Love and Marriage

  • Enhancements in living standards shifted focus towards emotional quality in relationships.

  • Emergence of sexual expressiveness and romantic love as important aspects of marriage.

  • Notion of sexual orientation begins to develop.

Trends Since the 1960s

  1. Sexuality Disassociated from Marriage and Childbearing

    • Shift in societal views regarding sexuality and relationships.

Sex Before Marriage

  • Statistics:

    • 87% of women (and likely as many men) report having had sexual intercourse before marriage, typically before age 25.

    • Average age for first sexual intercourse is 17 for both genders, with men often having more partners.

  • Age Dynamics:

    • In 2022, only 3% of men and 2% of women aged 15-49 reported having had 5 or more partners in the previous year.

Trends in Sexual Behavior

Historical Activity Trends

  • Percentages of teens (both genders) reporting sexual activity have fluctuated since the 1960s, with a noted increase followed by stabilization and a decrease since the late 1980s.

  • Rates of teen pregnancies have generally declined, reflecting changes in sexual behavior and increased use of birth control.

Increasing Number of Sexual Partners

  • Data from a 1992 University of Chicago Survey indicates:

    • Women entering adulthood in the 1950s reported high stability in the number of partners, with 67% having had only one partner

    • Women from the 1970s reported more diversity, with decreasing numbers stating they had only one partner.

Increased Openness and Acceptance

  • Growing acceptance of diverse sexual orientations and relationships since the 1960s, including increased visibility and normalization of LGBTQ+ relationships in society.

Key Historical Milestones Impacting Sexuality

1920s to Today

  1. 1920-1929: First Sexual Revolution

    • 19th Amendment grants women the right to vote.

    • Emerging feminist movements challenge social norms regarding sexuality.

  2. 1940-1949: WWII leads to changes in women’s roles, increased labor force participation and shifting family dynamics.

  3. 1960-1969: The pill becomes available, beginning the second sexual revolution, and pivotal events like the Stonewall Riot catalyze the gay liberation movement.

  4. 2000-Present: Major legal and social advancements for LGBTQ+ rights, including the legalization of same-sex marriage and increased representation in media.

Navigating Modern Influences

  • Ongoing debates surrounding transgender rights and representation in various social contexts, reflecting the evolving landscape of sexuality in contemporary society.