Sexuality and Its Cultural Construction

Abstract

Sexuality is a broad field of study encompassing a wide range of interest. This study primarily focused on the cultural construction of sexuality. Specifically, the study intended to determine the sexuality of certain actions, to establish the range of sexual behavior, to identify the most sexual and the most non-sexual behavior, to determine the criteria being used in the determination of the sexuality of a behavior or action, and to recognize the factors that affect the sexuality of a behavior or action. Based on Interactionism and the Social Scripting Theory, the entire range of behavior or action in a certain culture is being classified into various categories depending on its composition and context. An action or a behavior to be sexual, needs to meet certain culturally established criteria that bestow upon it a sexual connotation. The factors present in the performance of an action or behavior also affects its sexuality. The study was conducted in different colleges and universities in Manila and the subjects that were chosen were based on the convenience sampling technique. The research used the simultaneous triangulation method incorporating both qualitative and quantitative techniques with a dominant-less dominant design. The primary type of data collection was the interview method, which was supported by a focus group discussion and a survey. Based on the interviews done on five subjects, one focus group discussion, and 81 survey respondents it was determined that there is a categorization of behavior or action as either sexual or non-sexual. The range of sexual behavior is only composed of seven actions namely: intercourse, fellatio, cunnilungus, fondling of the genitals, masturbation, necking, and caressing. Other actions, which were not included in the range of sexual behavior but may have sexual connotation are kissing, hugging, and holding hands. The most sexual behavior proved to be sexual intercourse while the most non-sexual behavior is praying. The criteria being used in the classification of behaviors may be divided into two categories. The first group is composed of several core criteria namely: physical contact, pleasure, arousal, existence of sensations, involvement of the genitals, and consciousness. A behavior in order to be considered sexual should possess at least two of these core criteria. Other criteria exist that may increase the sexuality of an action or behavior but are not vital to its determination. These criteria are voluntary participation, intimacy, love, involvement of a partner, affection, and romance. There are also several factors that may affect the sexuality of a behavior or action such as the setting, reason for engaging, and the relationship between the actors. Based on the data gathered the respondents possess a dichotomous mode of interpreting an action or behavior. They view the sexuality of an action or behavior as residing within the individual and not within the interaction or the behaviors and actions performed within the interaction. Moreover, there is a direct relationship between the degree of sexuality given to an action or behavior with the criteria and factors that these actions or behaviors possess.