Society is increasingly becoming more sexually liberal. Since the sexual revolution in the 1960s an era of broadened sexual attitudes and sexual regulation began. Research has shown us the wider acceptance of pre-marital heterosexual sexual relations, along with a greater tolerance of homosexuality. However, hand in hand with a more sexually diverse culture, is a high rate of tension and contradictions towards sexually liberal attitudes. Stevi Jackson and Sue Scott (2004) explored the tensions and uncertainties of different groups who are affected by this sexually liberal era. They examined children and childhood, heterosexual monogamy, heterosexuality and sexual difference, and the urge to sexual perfection.
Jackson and Scott found that the preservation of childhood innocence is increasingly anxiety provoking where erotic imagery is presented and easily accessed in the media. There are uncertainties of when to inform a child about sexual information, along with how to respond to children who begin to express themselves sexually. The contradiction lies between sex as a wonderful thing, and existing between limits for adults only. Defining the age of an adult furthers tension. In a society where there is greater acceptance of premarital sex, there is also more anxiety surrounding the issue of teen pregnancy. Anxiety surrounding preserving a child’s innocence is deeply concerning among parents who have difficulty seeing their child as potentially sexual.
Homosexuality is widely celebrated today but it also raises many tensions and contradictions regarding its understanding. Tolerance of homosexuality and other relationships that shy away from the norm make room for intolerances. Although homosexuality is being more widely accepted and considered “chic”, heterosexuality is still considered the norm. Some homosexuals still suffer from harassment whether in the workplace or on the street. Most homosexual relationships are only tolerated if they are monogamous and follow heterosexual family values and as long as they don’t “rock the boat too much”.
Equalitarianism has been on the rise among heterosexual relationships. The notion of the double standard has somewhat diminished. There is more emphasis in present day than in the past on women’s right to sexual pleasure and freedom of sexual expression. However with this new emphasis on female power, it is clear that the notion of the double standard has not entirely disappeared. With sexual liberalization comes the argument of being too sexual, or not being sexual enough. Emphasis on “new femininity” and equalitarianism may only reconfirm past attitudes rather than demolish them.
Just as the arguments presented above, sexual liberation brings pleasure among new constraints. With sexual liberation also comes the notion of perfection. To not have sex has been suggested as failing as a human. This can ostracize an individual away from a liberal community. A multitude of sexual revolutions have resulted in a broadening of the definition of what a sexual dysfunction is. The more we try to establish the idea of sexual perfectionism, the more variability that leaves for sexual dysfunction and ostracizing.
Sexual pleasure has become the benchmark of all things enjoyable. Sex is considered special and private, and puts self-confidence and self-esteem on the line if the relationship ends. As a result, sex can make a person vulnerable. On the flip side of anxiety and revulsion is a celebration of sexual pleasure. However as Jackson and Scott argue, sexual liberalization does not exist without constraints and tensions regarding children and childhood, heterosexual monogamy, heterosexuality and sexual difference, and the urge to sexual perfection.
