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Post by Chelsea on May 22, 2011 18:06:52 GMT -5
I feel like we have so many discussions about sexuality and they always end up on whether or not homosexuality is natural/moral, but I want to focus on a different aspect of sexuality: does sexual orientation even exist?
We discussed this in one of my classes last semester, and the part that really fascinated me was the shift from sexual preference to sexual orientation. Until recently, people defined their sexuality as "preferring" men or women, which leaves wiggle room for still liking the other gender. But recently people saw "preference" as superfluous and decided to simplify the concept to orientation--so you either like men or women, and there's no room for anything else.
I want to know if you guys feel orientation is a more accurate way of describing sexuality than preference, or if these neat narrow definitions are harmful to the way we talk about sexuality, and why you feel this way. Discuss!
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Post by SwimFellow on May 22, 2011 19:27:10 GMT -5
Sexuality is better.
I think that more describes your sexual feelings. Everyone's different there. Orientation however is more general.
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Post by Ryan on May 22, 2011 21:18:25 GMT -5
Sexuality describes hormones where as orientation describes choice.
Sexuality exists - orientation is objectionable.
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Post by Draemora on May 23, 2011 0:28:28 GMT -5
I like to differentiate between sexuality and sexual orientation or preference.
I take sexuality to be a person's libido as well as their sexual "personality". I find that overgeneralizing sexuality to orientation, or preference, makes the discussion of sexuality awkward.
As for orientation and preference...
It depends on the listener's internalized definition of the word. One person might regard orientation as having more wiggle room than preference due to their upbringing and schooling. It is safe to assume that people have thresholds of sexual attraction toward the genders. These thresholds can range from a repulsive feeling to one of ecstasy. Moreover, these thresholds are never clearly defined, and they usually change over time as the person matures and/or gains new experiences. I feel that people should tread lightly when talking about orientation; they should note that there's more than gay, straight, or bi and encourage the discussion and expression of whatever mix they may have.
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Post by Chelsea on May 23, 2011 18:46:07 GMT -5
I take sexuality to be a person's libido as well as their sexual "personality". I find that overgeneralizing sexuality to orientation, or preference, makes the discussion of sexuality awkward. agreed... I worded this sort of awkwardly.. oops... As for orientation and preference... It depends on the listener's internalized definition of the word. One person might regard orientation as having more wiggle room than preference due to their upbringing and schooling. It is safe to assume that people have thresholds of sexual attraction toward the genders. These thresholds can range from a repulsive feeling to one of ecstasy. Moreover, these thresholds are never clearly defined, and they usually change over time as the person matures and/or gains new experiences. I feel that people should tread lightly when talking about orientation; they should note that there's more than gay, straight, or bi and encourage the discussion and expression of whatever mix they may have. I agree with this, but I think it's interesting that you say orientation could have more wiggle room.. I realize that it could, but from my experience, it seems that most people don't see it that way... |
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Post by Lex on May 23, 2011 20:08:35 GMT -5
Some people are more predisposed to being sexually attracted to one thing or the other. Say, for example, foot fetishes.
I don't think being attracted to men more than women or vice versa is any different.
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Post by sarawhatwho on May 23, 2011 21:33:09 GMT -5
I'm just a kid but personally, If "orientation" really would mean that you liked one sex and there wasn't any room for the other...I wouldn't say I had a sexual orientation. I am sexually attracted to guys. I don't look at girls and feel any sort of attraction. But there have been cases when I have developed small feelings for girls at my school, based on personality. I've got girl crushes. And some days are just lesbian days. Like I just want to expiriment. So I suppose if we went 3-5 years into the future when I have more freedom...I guess you could say that in everyday life, I'm perfectly straight. But the bedroom is completely different. I think sexual arrousal can change a person's inhibitions. Or mine anyway. Basically what I'm saying...is that I'm open to anything and everything. And I won't just do things to satisfy anyone or to create an image...I'll do and I like it. I hope that makes sense.
I have a lesbian friend. She just simply is not attracted to guys. She doesn't look at them the same way I do.
I like guys, she likes girls....but we both just wanna get some. Ahahaha.
Point is, I don't like using a specific label for the whole situation. I bang who I wanna bang and that's that.
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Post by sarawhatwho on May 23, 2011 21:36:02 GMT -5
So many typos.
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