Sex, no game for spectators!

Although sex is not something bad or obscene, it remains a taboo subject in most oriental countries. As sex education is still not a subject in schools and universities, everybody seems to be interested in it. There is, however, widespread confusion about pornography and obscenity.

Sexual behaviour between two married people is accepted by society as something normal. But an outside observer of sexual behaviour raises some ethical questions. Having sex is a private affair. If any couple does it for the camera, then it becomes pornography. A large number of men and women are tempted to view pornographic films and videos through sheer curiosity. If they can be given a proper sex education, most of the damage can be avoided.

If people do not make love and produce children, the human race will soon be extinct. Through love-making two people build a rich relationship which is something beautiful and sacred. However, their very act of love-making will have a different significance and meaning to a Peeping Tom. What should be emphasised is that normal sexual behaviour is not something obscene. Obscenity comes out of the evaluation of the secret observer.

Promiscuity

In the affluent West, sex is fast losing its sacredness. The rampant promiscuity and non-respect of morality have given rise to a new social order. Unfortunately, people in the East are also feeling the influence of the West. Media reports indicate that society is sliding downwards as far as sexual morality is concerned.

The crux of the pornography problem is that it is the spectator's point of view. If there is no spectator, there is no pornography. It is a tragedy that pornography has been commercialised in a big way. The ultimate sexual behaviour of a couple is meticulously filmed to be shown to millions who are eager to see it. As a result, despite regular raids on CD shops, pornography has become a thriving business.

Pornography, just like illicit liquor, cannot be eradicated by raids. According to a simple economic theory, when there is a demand, it will be met by somebody. Therefore, youngsters should be educated on sexual matters, including various sexually transmitted diseases (STD). Those who watch pornographic films are likely to experiment and get into serious trouble. Only sex education can arrest this trend.

Romance

Long before the advent of pornographic films and videos, people enjoyed romantic moments depicted in literature. For instance, in Dante's Divine Comedy Francesca tells of her tragic love for Paolo. They were reading an ancient romance and as they read their passions suddenly overcame them. Dante simply has Francesca say, “That day we read no further.” The rest was left to the reader's imagination.

In the distant past, sexual activity was the culmination of true love and respect for each other. In the modern world sex is used for various other purposes. For instance, sex is used as an instrument of exploitation and ethnic cleansing during a war. Very often, sex becomes a commercial transaction, with one party, usually the male, paying the other for her services. Sex sometimes shows signs of neurosis too.

In a complex society such as ours, people view sex from different angles. For some people it is a source of immense pleasure. For others it is a source of anxiety and frustration. For some it is a sport. To others it is only a duty. If you take a cross section of society, you will see that some people such as Americans are obsessed with sex. On the other hand, media and advertisers use sex to sell everything from mobile phones to toilet soap.

‘Straight’ and ‘gay’

Sexual orientation is something that you cannot hide under the carpet. Most of us are heterosexuals. We seek emotional and sexual relationships with members of the opposite sex in a legally and morally binding way. Psychologists call them ‘Straight.’ Homosexuals seek emotional and sexual relationships with members of the same sex. They are known as ‘gay.’ Women homosexuals are popularly known as ‘lesbians.’

Due to the absence of sex education in our society, peers have become our principal source of information. Most of the peers disseminate misinformation that runs counter to accepted moral codes. However, peers can be an effective source of sex information if handled with care. For instance, a pilot sex education project - the Atlanta Postponing Sexual Involvement - launched in the United States in the 1990s demonstrated that high school students could be an effective group of educating the young on sexual matters.

Sex education can prevent unwanted pregnancies, rape and incest. Today teenagers are exposed to television portrayals of improper sexual relationships. They rarely see telefilms that depict how to lead a moral life avoiding STD and other social problems. It is pathetic to note that some books, magazines and even songs depict woman as a sex object.

Most crimes committed have some element of illicit sex. If we do not act fast, we will be leaving a shameful legacy to the future generation.