Why Is Sex Such A Taboo In India?

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Esha
Jun 14, 2019   •  137 views

SEX

/sɛks/

noun: (chiefly with reference to people) sexual activity, including specifically sexual intercourse.

The human body is one of the most natural and divine gifts, the mother earth has gifted us with. The only question is why are we ashamed of talking about it? Considering that the reason why you and I are here today talking, reading, writing, standing; wait! most importantly existing is because our parents had sexual intercourse ( Yes, I literally used sexual intercourse instead of the word "Sex" because what if my teachers or my parents are reading this article. Well apparently they will be reading this article). And this is the biggest problem of lack of sex education in our country that our parents aren't open-minded enough to talk about it. The preoccupied notion about sex that has been prevailing in this country is that no one teaches you about it, it is something that you discover on our own with time. Then what's the point of blaming your children for having any health issues as a result of sexual intercourse? (Indian Mentality)

Why do we keep forgetting this that the most well-known book in the world on human sexuality, Kama Sutra, was written by an Indian philosopher named Vātsyāyana?

Then why is sex still considered a taboo in India?

Because the Indian culture of ours has never been open to talking about sex since ancient times. They believed that sex is something private and hence shouldn't be talked about in public. Men never wanted to openly talk about sex because they don't consider sex respectful enough to them rather makes it scum to a "pleasure-giving activity". Since the patriarchy has never left its mark in this country, it is seen in the sexual intercourse as well where "the men" always dominate. Obviously, women back in the days were never given the liberty to speak their minds so the word "consent" never existed for them, leaving them with no choice but to be suppressed under male dominance and hence the voices for women's rights and education were unheard by the trumpets of patriarchy.

Talking about the present time, parents themselves feel uncomfortable in talking about sex because according to them, their children are always young and not adult enough to know about this matter ( "tum abhi chote ho" is the response 95% of our parents give to any question on sex. Ironically, when girls wear a short dress, they are suddenly abstained from wearing that because of the patriarchal voice that speaks into their ears"tum badi ho gyi ho, dhyan rakho"). They run away from the harsh reality i.e sex because they feel humiliated while talking about it, thinking that they might instigate their children at an early age for doing something (sexual intercourse) which according to them is a crime.

Yes, my friends, then comes the concept of sex before marriage which obviously is a sin according to our prejudiced society which believes to adapt everything (significant or insignificant) from the western culture except for sex education which is one of the most important part of health education; where defecation in public is highly acceptable in India but sex before marriage is a crime because a virgin wife is one of the top most qualities a female should possess after a fair skin colour. The increasing rate of rape cases of young children has made our parents vulnerable to talk about sex in open. Well, without any doubt, there are only few parents who will support their girl child in marital rape issue because apparently according to our society, consent of the wife is oppressed by the sexual needs of the husband so once the daughter is married, she is "owned" by her husband and parents seem to not interfere in their matter ( I mean, what? Hello! wake up, aunties and uncles, your daughter is being RAPED by her husband).

How do we take a step to remove the tag of sex being a 'taboo'?

This shyness and vulnerability of not talking about sex have been a problem then and with no surprise still continues to be a major problem. Before parents to get involved in this matter, it is us who need to be comfortable in our skin. We have to accept our body and need to understand the importance of sex education because ignoring this matter is no way an option to deal with our own body. We have to take an initiative to reach up to our parents first and not to our friends who themselves aren't well educated enough about the matter. Sex education should be taught in schools compulsorily because the youth from the age of 15 is presumably sexually active. If not in school then the sex education must be given in college in order to make students aware of their body, the diseases, and issues as a result of sexual intercourse. This is a new India and I am glad that we are stepping in the right direction to break this barrier of 'not talking about sex' with the help of web series and movies related on sex education, issues due to non-preventive sex, etc.

So, next time when a kid asks you how he was born just tell him about sexual intercourse and don't hold God responsible for that (because he already holds the responsibility of your mere existence).

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Profile of Esha
Esha   •  4y  •  Reply
Thanks Sid 😊
Profile of Sid
Sid  •  4y  •  Reply
nice and engaging article
Profile of Esha
Esha   •  4y  •  Reply
Thank you so much Shubhangi ❤️
Profile of Shubhangi  Singh
Shubhangi Singh  •  4y  •  Reply
Necessary discussion. Glad someone talked about it.
Profile of Esha
Esha   •  4y  •  Reply
Thank you so much Shagun ^_^
Profile of Shagun Rana
Shagun Rana  •  4y  •  Reply
Too good🌸