History of Human Sexuality

Human sexuality is a wide concept, history of human sexuality started when human beings themselves started living with each other forming groups of likeminded individuals thousands of years back. This was the beginning, when humans started disassociating themselves from animal like behavior and started laying rules for themselves regarding everything they did in their lives.

Since evolution, behavior of human beings in respect to human sexuality has seen drastic changes. Humans throughout evolution tried to protect what was precious, therefore, came in the concept of making man the bread winner and women were protected because they were the only ones who could bear children. Human sexuality was a broad minded concept. There were no hard and fast rules that dominate the world today. Human sexuality was nothing about polygamy and the taboos regarding same sex relationships that are present today were not present then.

Human sexuality refers to sexual preferences, sexual outlook, choice of partners, etc. Ancient texts reveal that human sexuality was something revered upon as something more esthetic than it is today. There were less numbers of restrictions on men and women in regards to sex. All over the world, from Asia to Europe society was broadminded about human sexuality.

Human male sexuality as well as human female sexuality was both respected and choice of each of the sexes was taken into consideration. Ancient works of literature like the Kamasutra from Sage Vatsyayana was maybe the first book what explained human sexuality and the art and act of sex. The book itself looked at the act of sex objectively as a science.

Even in Europe and the Roman culture, sex and human sexuality were broadminded, multiple partners were allowed and none of it was considered a taboo, neither for men nor for women. Though there was general broadmindedness regarding human sexuality all over the world, it would be very wrong to think all men and women indulged in promiscuity, there were as many dedicated relationships as there are today, however people were not restricted neither by law nor by the society when it came to seeking another partner or multiple partners for themselves.

A look at the history will reveal that human sexuality was often used as a secret weapon, especially by the royals, sometimes to protect their state or finding more allies for their kingdom. All over the world, human sexuality was being used for making more relationships. In ancient India, during the times of Mahabharata, Arjun had more than one wife; this was for finding friendly kingdoms and entering into relationships with these kingdoms. This was a well thought strategy, during the times of war, these relations would prove useful and there would be more allies for the kingdom.

However, human sexuality took a turn from the late 17th century, where women started being oppressed, in Asia foreign oppressions by the Middle East countries and the British changed look of these countries towards sexuality. Today all over the world, outlook towards human sexuality is sanctioned more by religious institutions, the society and the law, rather than by granting all individuals their freedom to make a choice of their own.

Therefore, anything regarding human sexuality like same sex relationships or multiple partners is looked upon as a subject of big debates and given a political status instead of granting each individual his right of choice.