structural functionalism theory in practice

It would appear that these approaches are models for the benefits of sexual freedom and frankness. For example, rates of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease are among the world’s lowest in Switzerland and the Netherlands – lower than other European countries and far lower than the United States (Grose 2007 and Dutch News 2017). Their more open approach to sex has helped countries avoid some of the major social problems associated with sex. Switzerland, Belgium, Iceland, Denmark, and The Netherlands have similar policies. Sweden, for example, has very few regulations on sexual images in the media, and sex education, which starts around age six, is a compulsory part of Swedish school curricula. Of industrialized nations, several European nations are is thought to be the most liberal when it comes to attitudes about sex, including sexual practices and sexual openness.

For instance, 45 percent of Spaniards responded that homosexuality is always wrong, while 42 percent responded that it is never wrong only 13 percent responded somewhere in the middle (Widmer, Treas, and Newcomb 1998). Sexual attitudes can also vary within a country. From the same study, 93 percent of Filipinos responded that sex before age 16 is always wrong or almost always wrong, while only 75 percent of Russians responded this way (Widmer, Treas, and Newcomb 1998). For example, according to a 33,590-person survey across 24 countries, 89 percent of Swedes responded that there is nothing wrong with premarital sex, while only 42 percent of Irish responded this way. A study of 37 countries reported that non-Western societies-like China, Iran, and India-valued chastity highly in a potential mate, while Western European countries-such as France, the Netherlands, and Sweden-placed little value on prior sexual experiences (Buss 1989).Įven among Western cultures, attitudes can differ. For example, several studies have shown that Scandinavian students are more tolerant of premarital sex than are U.S. Sexuality around the WorldĬross-national research on sexual attitudes in industrialized nations reveals that normative standards differ across the world. Let us take a closer look at sexual attitudes in the United States and around the world. teens (Potard, Courtois, and Rusch 2008). Historically, religion has been the greatest influence on sexual behavior in most societies, but in more recent years, peers and the media have emerged as two of the strongest influences, particularly among U.S. Individuals are socialized to sexual attitudes by their family, education system, peers, media, and religion. Societies that value monogamy, for example, would likely oppose extramarital sex. What is considered “normal” in terms of sexual behavior is based on the mores and values of the society. Likewise, societies generally have norms that reinforce their accepted social system of sexuality. For example, sometimes the relatives of the father are considered acceptable sexual partners for a woman while the relatives of the mother are not. The incest taboo is present in every society, though which relative is deemed unacceptable for sex varies widely from culture to culture. At the same time, sociologists have learned that certain norms are shared among most societies. Each society, however, interprets sexuality and sexual activity in different ways. Throughout time and place, the vast majority of human beings have participated in sexual relationships (Broude 2003). Studying sexual attitudes and practices is a particularly interesting field of sociology because sexual behavior is a cultural universal. As mentioned earlier, sexuality is viewed as a person’s capacity for sexual feelings.

In the area of sexuality, sociologists focus their attention on sexual attitudes and practices, not on physiology or anatomy. (Credit: /flickr) Sexual Attitudes and Practices Recent trends include the finding that married couples have sex more frequently than do singles and that 27 percent of married couples in their 30s have sex at least twice a week (NSSHB 2010). Figure 12.14 Sexual practices can differ greatly among groups.

Structural functionalism theory in practice