Despite the fact that the Western world is surrounded by images with more or less explicit sexual content, the concept of sexuality, its nuances and its most intrinsic symbols often remain hidden, if not worse, interpreted by the public inadequately and stereotypically. Thus, the goal is to examine within a nationally representative sample of three generations possible differences in sexual-related beliefs, perceptions, and behaviors by rigorously exploring sexual practices and behaviors, use of pornography, social media, and dating apps.
The first part of the research describes, from a theoretical point of view, sexuality, pornography, the online world and the use of social media, as well as the concepts of generations X, Y and Z, referring to Italian and international literature and studies published in recent years. The second part goes on to describe the method, instruments and the sample that participated in the research. In the last part, the results of the study are analyzed and discussed, and practical implications are proposed.
What is sexuality?
Galimberti defines sexuality as a “complex of physical, functional, psychic and cultural traits, suitable for the perpetuation of the species. In humans, the sexual act manifests itself as a very complex phenomenon where, in addition to genetic expressions, endocrine and nervous function, individual psychological components and cultural norms are added that influence each individual’s sexual experience and conduct in different ways.
Sexuality, therefore, is a complex concept composed of biological, personal intrapsychic, social, cultural and religious variables, thus encompassing psychological and gender identity, sexual orientation, sexual practices and moral conceptions that each person has constructed for himself or herself. That is why it is important to support the idea that sexuality should be rigorously and scientifically observed in the different spheres in which it is declined, including the political, religious and social spheres that have evolved throughout history: it is precisely the interconnections between the different dimensions that charge sexuality with numerous meanings, making it imperative to adopt multiple points of view.
The points described by Bianca include:
- The bio-anthropological perspective, which refers to sexuality in the genetic-physiological and anthropological modes. Together they study the mutual influences between mating and reproduction and the cultural sphere of individuals;
- The psycho-relational perspective, which investigates the psychological aspects underlying interpersonal relationships (within it lies the psychology of sexuality). Sexuality is interpreted here as a human dimension that results in interpersonal relationships that go beyond the physical sexual act;
- The analytic-existential perspective, on the other hand, studies sexuality as part of each human being’s life project, thus including all the roles, values and meanings each human assigns to it throughout life.
- The socio-cultural perspective deals with sexuality within community and social relations (such as marriage), focusing on the different roles of men and women within global societies. This perspective also includes the study of the different sexual attitudes, changes and behaviors of different populations by era or geographic location.
- The medical-therapeutic perspective deals with physiological and psychological disorders, with the aim of providing suitable treatment interventions.
- Finally, the semiotic perspective aims to understand the underlying meanings and symbols of each individual sexual behavior, giving great importance to the cultural differences from which each individual’s values are derived.
