It is not
only gay people who have a problem with other people's approach to their sexuality; given that given that part of its whole
happens to be sex, it is not uncommon
for people to be wary, even afraid of sex, especially if they happen to have been have been raised -
intentionally or not - in a sex-unfriendly environment. In some homes,
sex and sexuality remain ‘not in front of the children’ issues so what are children, especially the early teens, supposed to make of that? Children
are not fools; they are frequently more intensely
aware of what goes on around them than many parents or even teachers appreciate.
Sex is fun, and in the context of human love can also be a very spiritual
experience; there is nothing wrong with having fun, and no spiritual experience
deserves to be put down simply because it does not necessarily relate to any
religious experience. As I have often
said on my blogs, religion does not have a monopoly on spirituality; of all the
parts comprising human nature, a sense of spirituality is one that deserves
nurture, but is all too often neglected where religious or cultural identity
have a lesser or no role to play.
Some people,
of course, simply have no real interest in sex and that’s OK. Others may well
be confused by various socio-cultural-religious attitudes towards sex and
sexual identity.
Could we
all not benefit from being better educated about sex and sexuality other than as prescribed by various socio-cultural-religious conventions? (Yes, I know I am repeating myself and probably will again.) Certainly, there would be far less
denial, confusion and bad attitude regarding either if more schools would only
discuss it with classes in a manner appropriate to the ages of the children and
young people in them. No easy task, I agree, given how many children and young
people will laugh and make jokes, as is the nature of people everywhere when someone touches on a nerve. Would they perhaps be less inclined
to do so, though, if we adults encouraged them to discuss the subject - in all
its aspects - sensitively and intelligently instead of suggesting it’s really a
matter for the birds and bees?
In many
cases, by the time any birds and bees get in on the act, most children have an
idea in their heads about what sex and sexuality involves; that idea needs to be expanded,
clarified and discussed.
Since many
parents find intimacy if not love too embarrassing a subject to raise with their own
children, a family member can be called upon or someone to whom the child or
young person can relate and for whom they have affection and respect. All too
often, though, this does not happen just as far too many schools also shirk the
task of educating their students about where sex related issues fits into the complex jigsaw
that is a life comprising love, pleasure, consideration and respect for others
(and ourselves) among a gamut of emotions, not least a sense of spirituality.
In my case, as regular readers well know, I take the latter from nature, but
taking it from religion should not mean intimacy - as an expression of love and/or
desire and/or the need to be physically close to someone for whatever reason - becomes
demeaned in any way. In many cases, of course, it isn’t, while in others it
most certainly is.
Colour,
creed, sex, sexuality, these are part of a whole; it is the whole that counts so
the greater our understanding of and respect for that, the better person we are likely to become; better equipped,
too, for surviving the jungle that is human nature.
This
poem is a kenning.
YOU-ME-US, THE ULTIMATE SELFIE or PARTNERS FOR LIFE
I am that you-me-us
calling on love and peace
wherever
they go,
whatever
path they take
through
life,
trudging
sadly, skipping madly
or taking
wary steps
across minefields scattered
like leaves of dogma
I am a good friend,
proving a good companion
on life’s
journey,
even
beyond halcyon days
and
nights committed
to
memory, transcending
any
regret for times past,
inspiring
a lasting spirituality
independent of dogma
See me
for what I am,
rooting for the natural world
to beat human odds;
on your side if sometimes
agreeing to differ,
trusting love to win through;
my brief, to rise
above any
contentiousness
perpetuated by dogma
Only,
acknowledge my integrity
who am
called Sexuality
Copyright
R. N. Taber 2011
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