Human sexuality question.

[Anonymous]

This may sound rather Freudian but it is my belief that human sexuality is an energy, somewhat defined but still quite fluid, that is placed in us by God for the ultimate purpose of procreating the race. Many of the morality issues we hear put in terms of “right” and “wrong” could better be explained and understood if we examine them from the context that sexuality is a natural gift from God and many manifestations of unusual behavior – that is, sexuality that deviates from a more Godly foundation — is a response to unnatural chaneling of that energy.

In the Freudian model the human enters the genital stage of development around 13 or 14. In traditional societies people this age would be looking at marriage and reproduction (at least it would be expected within just a few years). In ancient urban societies, and modern society we see that sexual behaviors such as homosexuality, promiscuity, etc. become more common. Is it due to societal tolerance or people turning away from the idea of procreation or maybe due to a combination of factors?

In Romans 1 we find that human behavior is explained in terms Freud would find interesting. People become materialistic, then they turn away from the natural functions of their bodies and then they lust after their own gender. Could it be that today’s pushing up the age of marriage, even making marriage optional, as well as children seen as an expression of the self rather than just a given part of life might cause a re-channeling of energies? In psychology we see that if a person’s desires are frustrated it can manifest problems in teh individual at many levels. Couldn’t frustrating the natural desire do reproduce to likewise?

I hang around a very “liberated” set of people. Quite a few of the young women I know are quite comfortable in identifying themselves as bisexual in orientation if not in practice. The irony is that these are the women who talk about, and desire, children the most! Could it be that a frustration of the sexual impulse to find a long-term mate could cause a re-channeling of energy into a more varied expression of the impulses? In other words, women with the strongest libidinal energy, that in times past would have been the most desirous to settle down and start making babies, are the ones who today are the most experimental — thus the most promiscuous in a heterosexual context as well as being more likely to get involved with other females?

So in a sense if a “modern” mormon family tells their daughters they should try to gain the goals the world sets, as well as stay within the paradigm of the Gospel, then you may be setting her up for failure? I am not saying send them to school at an FLDS training center, but if you attempt to be all modern then why freak out when they adopt modern views of sexuality?

I would like to explain this further but maybe now is the time to throw this out for discussion. Any ideas?

[Anonymous]

Hi Fiannan

Well it may be a bit Freudian but it also a bit quirky and it does seem to make the assumption that the “rechannelling” you are suggesting results in a “less satisfactory” sexual orientation. There is also an implicit, and you can correct me on this, underlying thought that if we as parents can manage the environment correctly we can avoid having kids who are gay. Both assumptions can lead to unneccessary guilt and self concept difficulties. I have no idea why we have gay kids but I think it is best to simply love them and try to build a support system that will allow them to have happy, productive lives. I really can’t undertstand the Chruch’s stand against gay marriages since such marriages would allow gays to have a normal, faithful family life and be an accepted part of a Ward.

[Anonymous]

Bill Atkinson wrote:

Hi Fiannan

Well it may be a bit Freudian but it also a bit quirky and it does seem to make the assumption that the “rechannelling” you are suggesting results in a “less satisfactory” sexual orientation. There is also an implicit, and you can correct me on this, underlying thought that if we as parents can manage the environment correctly we can avoid having kids who are gay. Both assumptions can lead to unneccessary guilt and self concept difficulties. I have no idea why we have gay kids but I think it is best to simply love them and try to build a support system that will allow them to have happy, productive lives. I really can’t undertstand the Chruch’s stand against gay marriages since such marriages would allow gays to have a normal, faithful family life and be an accepted part of a Ward.

Yeah, that is a drawback to Freudianism, yet Mr. Freud’s in many ways are just applying psychological terminology to Biblical concepts (he might have been an atheist but his Jewish upbringing must have had an influence on him). The thing is, however, that biology and the Bible intersect on this issue. The most positive outcome in raising a family is to have kids who will also raise families. So yes, homosexuality is counterproductive in that sense. If a society re-directs natural reproductive instincts away from their intended outcome then neurosis and compensatory behaviors may result.

[Anonymous]

Fiannan wrote:

So in a sense if a “modern” mormon family tells their daughters they should try to gain the goals the world sets, as well as stay within the paradigm of the Gospel, then you may be setting her up for failure? I am not saying send them to school at an FLDS training center, but if you attempt to be all modern then why freak out when they adopt modern views of sexuality?

Hey Fiannan. Good thoughts.

For me, with 2 teen age daughters, I feel it is important to set their goals on temple marriage and sexual purity as a way to strengthen oneself spiritually. I think it benefits them to know self-control and look at procreation as something special they can share with their eternal mate, not just have it be pleasurable. I think a lot of that also comes from the fear that they could slip up and it could really affect their life at too young an age, so it is not only spiritual, but practical that they wait and be careful.

However, I know life is a learning experience, so I’m preparing myself that should they choose to adopt modern views of sexuality, I still will love them for who they are, but make sure I’m teaching them what I believe are the risks so they are aware of the choices they are making. But I hope I never “freak out” no matter what they choose to do. They’re my kids, and I love them for that.

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