special subjects
Overview of Sexuality
Changing Attitudes about Sex and Sexuality
Societal attitudes about sexuality and gender and what is acceptable vary greatly among cultures and have undergone radical change in some societies. Many people have become more comfortable with their own gender identity (how they present themselves to the world) and with engaging in sexual activities that might have been considered unacceptable in the past. As a result, social norms have been redefined, as illustrated by the following examples of attitude changes in Western culture over recent years. Doctors have long recognized that masturbation is a normal sexual activity throughout life. Masturbation is the most common of all human sexual behaviors. About 97% of males and 80% of females have masturbated. Masturbation is considered unhealthy only when it inhibits partner-oriented behavior, is done in public, or is compulsive enough to cause distress or dysfunction in work, social, or other settings. Although a normal sexual activity, masturbation may cause guilt and psychologic suffering that stems from the disapproving attitudes still held by some people. These feelings can result in considerable distress and can even affect sexual performance. Masturbation often continues at some level even in a sexually healthy relationship. People who masturbate may have a better sense of well-being, better fertility, and achieve sexual satisfaction without risk of sexually transmitted infections. Homosexuality is sexual attraction to people of the same sex. Like heterosexuality, homosexuality results from complex biologic factors and a person's experiences, leading to an ability to become sexually aroused by people of the same sex. And like heterosexuality, homosexuality is not a matter of choice. Homosexuality is widely recognized as a sexual orientation that is present from childhood. Adolescents may experiment with same-sex play, but this experimentation does not necessarily indicate an enduring interest in homosexual or bisexual activity as adults (see Development of Sexuality and Gender ). A 2022 Gallup poll of Americans found that the proportion of adults who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender has doubled since 2012 to a total of 7.1%. The proportions vary substantially by age group. Among adults who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender, 91% of those born between 1946 and 1964 ("Baby Boomers") self-identify as "straight/heterosexual" versus 76% of those born between 1997 and 2003 ("Generation Z"). SeeGallup: LGBT Identification in U.S. Ticks Up to 7.1%. For some heterosexuals and homosexuals, frequent sexual activity with different partners is a common practice throughout life. In Western cultures, this behavior has become more acceptable. However, having many sex partners is linked to the transmission of certain diseases (such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection , In the United States, most people engage in sexual activity before they are married or while they are not married. This behavior is part of the trend toward more sexual freedom in industrialized countries. However, most cultures discourage married people from engaging in sex with someone other than their spouse. This behavior occurs frequently despite social disapproval. One objective problem that results is the possible spread of Overview of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) to unsuspecting spouses or sex partners. 