The Western world is amply surrounded by images with more or less explicit sexual content, but the approach to sexuality is inadequate and highly stereotyped.
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.
Sexuality can be studied from different vantage points:
- bio-anthropological the focus is on the mutual influences between mating, reproduction and the cultural sphere of individuals;
- psycho-relational investigating the psychological aspects underlying interpersonal relationships;
- analytical-existential, sexuality as part of the life project of each human being;
- socio-cultural deals with sexuality within the community, social relations and between genders;
- medical-therapeutic has its focus on physiological and psychological disorders, with the aim of providing suitable treatment interventions.
