NEGOTIATING FAITH AND DESIRE A Study on Religiosity and Sexuality among Young Urban Women

Abstract

Religion has a significant influence on the values anil conservative views of most I'ilipinos. In fact, several studies have shown that religion and religiosity is connected to the coital involvement of the youth. However, whether the conservative teachings of the church are still adhered by the current generation wairanted further affirmation. The present study is designed to examine further the relationship between religiosity and female sexuality. The purpose of this study is to validate previous findings using ethnographic methods. The research aimed to uncover the feelings, motivations, influences, behaviors and attitudes on sexuality and whether feelings of tension were present in a sexually active individual. One on one in depth interviews yielded results similar to previous studies wherein it was found out that religiosity is connected to sexuality by producing feelings of guilt at some level. However, other factors such as motivations to engage in sex and less interaction between church and its members regarding sexuality may have downplayed religiosity’s effect on the individual.