Sexuality Can Influence A Culture

DISCLAIMER: DISCUSSIONS ABOUT SEXUAL ACTIVITY THAT GOES ON IN JAPAN

Hello fellow readers,

This week my professor assigned us to do a paper about the influences of sexuality in the United States then compare it to another country with their views on sexuality in their culture/country. My friend and I are in the same class so we were discussing about what we wanted to do for our paper. Joey said he was going to talk about Japan since it’s one of the most influenced country when it comes to sexuality. Since everything in Japan is overly sexualized, it has become a norm to be sexuality harrassed in public. It does not matter where you are, you can get sexually harassed in broad daylight in Japan. People say that Japan is a safe place to live but is it really a safe place for woman? I found a YouTube Video that talks about the constant battle of sexual harassment. Around 80% of victims don’t speak out about their experience because not many people will believe them which is crazy to me, what do you mean you don’t believe them??? They literally do it in public!!!!! The lady they interviewed in the video told her story when she was being harassed on the train, an older man started talking to her. He was telling her obscene things in her ear and touched her butt. Her other encounter was a man touching her breast for about 15 minutes. There are so many other stories that need to be talked about more for woman that live in a culture that thrives on their sex drive.

As I read more about my assignment, I noticed she was talking about how much acceptance does the United States and other countries (I chose Japan) have for your sexuality. Soooo, here is what I wrote about the United States.

In the United States, various factors such as legislation, religious beliefs, and societal expectations influence perceptions of sexuality. Over time, legal safeguards for LGBTQ individuals have increased, leading to more open discussions about sexuality in media and educational settings. The American perspective prioritizes personal autonomy, viewing sexuality as a component of one's identity. However, despite these advancements, cultural discussions continue to be contentious, especially regarding gender roles and religious principles. For instance, conservative groups may oppose comprehensive sexual education that promotes inclusivity, whereas more progressive regions tend to advocate for diversity and acceptance.

Over the past decade, there has been more acceptance on being apart of the LGBTQ+ community. In the United States, it’s normal for someone to think you are gay or in the closet. Since there are more added gender norms on to the community, we should be educated on what is going on with modern society. For decades, the LGBTQ+ community has fought for having the right to with someone from the same sex. In 2015 the Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges was guaranteed same-sex couples the fundamental right to marry nationwide. In the 2020 decision of Bostock v. Clayton County, the Supreme Court determined that the federal ban on sex discrimination in employment, as outlined in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, encompasses restrictions against discrimination related to both sexual orientation and gender identity. As you can see, this has been recent. So here in America, they will fight for equality.

For Japan, it is not entirely the same. There is not so much encouragement with same-sex marriages. Japan stands out as the only G7 nation that does not provide legal recognition for same-sex unions in any capacity at a national level. Although the government introduced legislation in 2023 aimed at fostering awareness of sexual minority issues, it faced criticism for not including specific, enforceable anti-discrimination provisions. Japanese society is mostly conservative, resulting in a general lack of public displays of affection among both same-sex and opposite-sex couples. This cultural expectation frequently compels LGBTQ+ individuals to hide their sexual orientation, as many are apprehensive about facing social rejection if their identity becomes known in either personal or professional settings.

In summary, the cultural perceptions of sexuality in the United States and Japan reveal both parallels and contrasts. The U.S. places a strong emphasis on personal freedom and diversity, whereas Japan focuses more on group harmony and discretion. Sexual diversity exists within both cultures; however, the way these differences are articulated and perceived is significantly impacted by their respective cultural contexts. Frameworks like Kinsey’s continuum and social learning theories offer important insights for examining these distinctions. In the end, while sexuality is a fundamental human experience, its manifestation is heavily shaped by cultural norms and societal frameworks.

That is an overall summary of what I wrote for my paper about the acceptance on sexaulity between the United States and Japan.

Thank you guys for reading,

Val