Today’s society is sex driven to the point of sexual exhaustion. Is life made better by sex? Someone will probably quote here, saying that sex is proven to release stress and is a necessary act blah blah blah. Yes sex makes us happy, yes sex is important and yes, it is bad to put a taboo on sex. However, has our obsession with sex gone just a bit too far?
Sex is thrown at us in all walks in life. Sex is used to sell us products such as perfume and even shampoo (Herbal Essences). It is in almost every single television show available for viewing, some revolve solely around sex. It is obvious that sex sells, and that sex is interesting but does this over use of sex make people feel bad about themselves?
It is not only marketing and television that had become obsessed with sex, it’s everybody. I’ve overheard people complaining that they haven’t had sex in weeks, that they need it. Sex has become like a drug that people crave. Is this a real need, or just a social construction? I would choose to believe the latter.
It seems that people have been induced to think that in order for them to be normal or have good lives they must have sex at regular intervals. Months, weeks and even mere days without sex have become phobias of our society’s young adults. Anger, depression and even violent behaviour is being blamed on, to put it crudely, ‘not getting your hole’.
That’s basically all sex has become now. The next hole, the next fix. Sex with strangers has become almost the norm in Dublin’s nightlife. People may argue that this is a trait solely based in the gay scene, but it holds true equally with all other clubbing scenes. At least good knowledge about contraception is widespread, the information is easily available. Fear of STI’s used to be enough to discourage people from hopping into bed with any random stranger off the street, but even that is beginning to fail now. Sex has taken priority over any dangers involved with it, it’s just too important to avoid it.
Unfortunately this social need for sex is probably the result of a relaxed attitude towards sex, which is a necessity for a healthy outlook on the subject. People may argue that this obsession is unavoidable. Perhaps people should consider though, just how bad is life without sex? Is it really that unbearable that is warrants constant complaining, hours spent in clubs looking for possible sexual encounters and of course, constant risk of STI’s? For those who think, maybe it’s not that bad after all, I applaud you. There are worse things to life then not having regular sex. You don’t have to worry or constantly fret over the amount of sex you have. If it hasn’t happened in a while, relax, it will. If you haven’t had it and are under pressure from others and society, the same applies. Don’t worry, when it happens it happens, you don’t need to rush.
However for those people who disagree and still believe their lives are unbearable due to a lack of constant sex, I feel bad for you. I don’t think I could stand a life with that much disappointment over such a trivial subject. Sex is amazing, but if it holds priority over all other experiences and needs in life then it loses its real value. You may not take my opinion, after all I’m lucky to be in a relationship, but it doesn’t make the opinion any less valid. Try to relax about it. It’s not the end of the world. If you can’t, then really, all in all you’re just another dick in a hole.
provocative! I like! Really good points! ehh.. I think the disappointed reaction people have to a lack of sex is Stoopid aswell! There is alot of pressure to atleast pull – and it is bordering on upsetting when you dont. Paraphrase: is our need for sex a social construction? Well maybe it is.. as someone has probably said “why spend lonely nights at home, when you can be out getting your hole.” I think at least part of that need is primal though… I dunno!ha! cool article!
Thanks Barry! I agree there is definitely a primal urge behind it too. But it’s prob more an urge than a need me thinks.