Function Addendum: Sexual Passion
I read an article yesterday that afforded another interesting example of what I mean by Function. It deals with an area I had not previously considered in my musings but it clearly applies in a way that, to me, adds some validity to my perspective.
In a recent study, researchers concluded that there are two distinct types of human sexual passion. This is not so much about "passion in sex" as it is about "passion about sex," much as one might be passionate about a hobby or sports or any other area of personal interest.
Briefly, there is "harmonious" sexual passion defined as when people "make their own choice regarding sexuality and orient their own values and behaviors according to what they believe is important and enjoyable." This would seem to be an obvious form of sexual passion, focused more on relationships between partners: caressing and intercourse, for example.
The other form of such passion is referred to as "obsessive" sexual passion. This is driven more by motives outside of any relationship as a whole. This objectifies sex, the focus is more on body parts and sex toys, for example.
Instead of intimate standards of authentic attraction and expression, those geared toward obsessive sexual passion are driven by choices and values that are learned from outside influences such as pornography or advertising.
To quote the study: "A person could feel compelled to dress and look according to what media promote, as a function of what is socially perceived as physically attractive, or to perform sexual intercourse as a function of commonly held beliefs (e.g., sexual intercourses should be vigorous and last long). These predetermined sexual attitudes, values, and behaviors are much less likely to reflect the person’s authentic values and self-aspects and are therefore experienced as alienating the self." (my emphasis)
It does not surprise me that the insidious sprawl of Function should enter into human sexuality. Indeed, if Habermas' theory of "colonization of the Lifeworld" is correct, we should expect it to apply to all aspects of human experience, especially intensely intimate areas such as sex.
According to the study, obsessive sexual passion drives behavior base upon social standards like being physically fit, being blonde, being fashionable, owning the right car and other possessions, etc. These are standards functionally communicated to us through various forms of mediatization. There's nothing wrong with being fit or even dressing well, of course. But if you are working at being fit or attracted to fitness out of a desire for sex rather than for health then that is sexually obsessive.
If you are looking to get-off and have a "trophy" date rather than connecting with someone on multiple levels and incorporating that into a relationship out which sex happens, then sex is likely an learned (functional) objective rather than an authentic exploration of partners seeking mutual pleasure and emotional bonding.
The bottom line is that, as with all other manifestations of Function, your behavior can be motivated by systems and expectations outside yourself, driven by various media forms. Of course, sex can be fun and exciting either way. But that is not the point. Rather, is sex deeply pleasurable and satisfying or is it the anticipated result of dating tactics and surface attraction stamped with the approval of money and power?
Function is everywhere and this study indicates that much of our sexuality has been functionalized by what we are told is "hot" and "sexy" rather than finding what makes us happy as individuals while enriching the lives of others whether it is within a steady relationship or just casually as friends.
In a recent study, researchers concluded that there are two distinct types of human sexual passion. This is not so much about "passion in sex" as it is about "passion about sex," much as one might be passionate about a hobby or sports or any other area of personal interest.
Briefly, there is "harmonious" sexual passion defined as when people "make their own choice regarding sexuality and orient their own values and behaviors according to what they believe is important and enjoyable." This would seem to be an obvious form of sexual passion, focused more on relationships between partners: caressing and intercourse, for example.
The other form of such passion is referred to as "obsessive" sexual passion. This is driven more by motives outside of any relationship as a whole. This objectifies sex, the focus is more on body parts and sex toys, for example.
Instead of intimate standards of authentic attraction and expression, those geared toward obsessive sexual passion are driven by choices and values that are learned from outside influences such as pornography or advertising.
To quote the study: "A person could feel compelled to dress and look according to what media promote, as a function of what is socially perceived as physically attractive, or to perform sexual intercourse as a function of commonly held beliefs (e.g., sexual intercourses should be vigorous and last long). These predetermined sexual attitudes, values, and behaviors are much less likely to reflect the person’s authentic values and self-aspects and are therefore experienced as alienating the self." (my emphasis)
It does not surprise me that the insidious sprawl of Function should enter into human sexuality. Indeed, if Habermas' theory of "colonization of the Lifeworld" is correct, we should expect it to apply to all aspects of human experience, especially intensely intimate areas such as sex.
According to the study, obsessive sexual passion drives behavior base upon social standards like being physically fit, being blonde, being fashionable, owning the right car and other possessions, etc. These are standards functionally communicated to us through various forms of mediatization. There's nothing wrong with being fit or even dressing well, of course. But if you are working at being fit or attracted to fitness out of a desire for sex rather than for health then that is sexually obsessive.
If you are looking to get-off and have a "trophy" date rather than connecting with someone on multiple levels and incorporating that into a relationship out which sex happens, then sex is likely an learned (functional) objective rather than an authentic exploration of partners seeking mutual pleasure and emotional bonding.
The bottom line is that, as with all other manifestations of Function, your behavior can be motivated by systems and expectations outside yourself, driven by various media forms. Of course, sex can be fun and exciting either way. But that is not the point. Rather, is sex deeply pleasurable and satisfying or is it the anticipated result of dating tactics and surface attraction stamped with the approval of money and power?
Function is everywhere and this study indicates that much of our sexuality has been functionalized by what we are told is "hot" and "sexy" rather than finding what makes us happy as individuals while enriching the lives of others whether it is within a steady relationship or just casually as friends.
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