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Why Are Americans So Uptight About Sex

tlmorg02

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Why is it that Europeans are so open and carefree about sex, yet in America nudity is looked at as bad on television, and there still exists the stereotyping of sexually active people as bad (whore or what have you)?
 
Why is it that Europeans are so open and carefree about sex, yet in America nudity is looked at as bad on television, and there still exists the stereotyping of sexually active people as bad (whore or what have you)?

I'm posting nude right now:cool:
 
Probably for the same reason Americans tend to be more religious than Europeans.

That said, the most sexually open man I've ever been with is American.
 
Americans' casual attitudes about sex are bad enough. The last thing we should do is attempt to become more European in this regard.

The problem isn't that we're uptight about sex. The problem is the irreconcilable differences between the moral values we practice, and the moral values we claim to observe and expect other people to observe.
 
Americans' casual attitudes about sex are bad enough. The last thing we should do is attempt to become more European in this regard.

The problem isn't that we're uptight about sex. The problem is the irreconcilable differences between the moral values we practice, and the moral values we claim to observe and expect other people to observe.

It seems like Europe has a lower divorce rate on the whole as compared to the US

DivorceMag: World Divorce Statistics
 
Americans' casual attitudes about sex are bad enough. The last thing we should do is attempt to become more European in this regard.

The problem isn't that we're uptight about sex. The problem is the irreconcilable differences between the moral values we practice, and the moral values we claim to observe and expect other people to observe.

So the problem as you see it is that there are too many Christian hypocrites?
 
It seems like Europe has a lower divorce rate on the whole as compared to the US

My understanding is that they have a more realistic understanding of marriage, in general. Don't spend as much of their time-- and money-- on fairy tales intended to bolster the bridal industry.

So the problem as you see it is that there are too many Christian hypocrites?

I wouldn't say "hypocrites", merely people with an impossible and unnatural moral standard which they expect to fall short of, and which provides a mechanism for immediate and meaningless self-forgiveness. It's hard to truly condemn people for their moral failings when you see the mixed messages they're immersed in all their lives.
 
Korimyr said:
the mixed messages they're immersed in all their lives.

That's pretty much the core issue there, I think.
We are both innundated with pro-sexual imagery (esp. the idea of the beautiful, available woman) and punitive, vindictive (and gender-biased) attitudes towards sexual behavior that doesn't fit within our rather strict moral standards. The result, in my opinion, is widespread sexual immaturity that views sex outside of these strict moral standards as either 'something to be gotten away with' or 'something to be ashamed of.' I think ultimately it leads to more inappropriate sexual behavior, rather than less.
 
So then, why would viewing sex like an adult, as either for procreation or casual enjoyment, a bad thing? I see nothing wrong with the European view on sex. It feels good so they do it.
 
So then, why would viewing sex like an adult, as either for procreation or casual enjoyment, a bad thing? I see nothing wrong with the European view on sex. It feels good so they do it.

IIRC here in the UK we have either the highest, or one of the highest pregnancy rates in Europe [nothing to be proud of] but hell we must get alot of practice:lol:

Paul
 
IIRC here in the UK we have either the highest, or one of the highest pregnancy rates in Europe [nothing to be proud of] but hell we must get alot of practice:lol:

Paul

Practice is what it is all about!!!!:lol:
 
So then, why would viewing sex like an adult, as either for procreation or casual enjoyment, a bad thing? I see nothing wrong with the European view on sex. It feels good so they do it.

I wouldn't consider that an "adult view". Certainly not a healthy one.

There is far, far much more to consider about sex, and every decision pertaining to sex, than the fact that it feels good.
 
I wouldn't consider that an "adult view". Certainly not a healthy one.

There is far, far much more to consider about sex, and every decision pertaining to sex, than the fact that it feels good.

What more is there and why?
 
Korimyr said:
I wouldn't consider that an "adult view". Certainly not a healthy one.

There is far, far much more to consider about sex, and every decision pertaining to sex, than the fact that it feels good.


Yes, I think part of having an adult perspective on sex is being motivated by higher impulses than simply pleasure. Most things that are pleasurable are best consumed in moderation. I think that's an important realization to come to on the path to adulthood. Unfortunately, too many people never made it that far.
 
What more is there and why?

Well, leaving aside the purely physical-- the precautions one must take and the problems should they fail-- there are all of the social and emotional consequences of sex which cannot simply be dispelled by pretending to be too "enlightened" to suffer from them.

Sex is one of the primary and most powerful means by which people form, affirm, and reinforce relationships between them. It creates powerful emotions and contrary to popular opinion, this is not purely a matter of social conditioning. Sex releases hormones that make you feel a certain way, and that goes far beyond mere pleasure.

Most things that are pleasurable are best consumed in moderation. I think that's an important realization to come to on the path to adulthood. Unfortunately, too many people never made it that far.

Moderation, yes. And I think people place far too little importance on propriety.

I'm much more sexual than people give me credit for, mostly because I don't discuss my sexual practices in exquisite detail with strangers or in public, and because I don't engage in blatant public displays of "affection". Nor do I avail myself of every opportunity just because I can.

It's one thing to be open and honest. It's another thing entirely to be indiscreet.
 
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You exist in America, but evidently you don't get out much ;)....I don't think we can call that "living".

I think you misunderstand. My actual intent with this thread was on the outlook of sex, not actually the having of sex. For example, European television does not censor nudity, whereas in America it is a no no unless it is on premium cable channels.

But I get the joke.;)
 
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