Question

[PenguinsRcool]

Out of all animals in this world, why are humans so sexually complicated? On so many things, we tend to have many aspects of sexuality that is not present in majority of other animals. And whats up of “mating season” not existing in the human world but instead all year. Just wondering why, are we this sexual?

[Latha]

Hi PenguinsRcool,

That is an interesting question! To answer it, I guess I'm wondering what it means for us or any being to be sexually complicated. What aspects of sexuality have you noticed among humans that are not shared by other animals?

[PenguinsRcool]

Well the main function and reason of sex is for living breathing things to reproduce. Now with humans, why do we like to use it as pleasure, spiritually, understanding, and other things….

And why do kinks come up here with humans? Also with being creative with the act. I know masturbation exists outside humans with other mammals, although it’s quite a few along with other types of sex that is not the main one, I want to know why humans have such variations and unique characteristics to this?

Edit: I guess my high sexual drive being mixed with my curiosity for learning sparked me to ask all this. Im still exploring what I like and who Im sexually am, I believe I may have a kink or two but without experiencing anything with Someone, but these thoughts have been there since I was 13. Just asking…

[char]

Like Latha said, interesting question you got here PenguinsRcool! Perhaps you've come across this during your own research, but there are fields of study that try to answer this very question. There isn't one strict answer. From an evolutionary lens, for example, sex having a lot of different looks may have something to do with making the act of procreation enjoyable for everyone involved. From a psychological lens, people express their sexuality in ways that are influenced by their mood, personality, and past experiences related to sex. There are many other perspectives out there, but I hope those two could give you a simple picture of why human sexuality is very varied.

That said, it's also important to remember that other animals, not just mammals, also have sex for purposes other than procreation. As you mentioned above, some animals seem to masturbate or engage in other sexual acts that aren't necessarily for creating more of their kind. But with research on other creatures like animals and plants, there's no way we can know for sure. Comparing/approximating their characteristics and behaviors to that of humans can only go so far, too. Also, the idea that sex is "mainly" for procreation has more cultural basis (i.e. the patriarchy) than it is biological. This idea is what many institutions in power (e.g. governments and religions) use to control people they "rule" over. The same goes to "kinks"; what's considered "kinky" will look different not just between individuals, but also between communities, as well as over time.

Do these answer your questions?

[Heather]

I also want to add, like Char did, that even the idea that sex is mainly or centrally for procreation, including for other species, is based much, much more in the aims, goals and limited views of patriarchy and heterosexuality than it is an accurate description of human sexuality as well as many, many kinds of animal sexuality. This -- that sex is mainly for procreation -- is what a lot of children are taught when they're young, but it's more of an oversimplification of sexuality meant for children or people who just don't really see sex and sexuality as the giant spectrum they are across all species -- and one that also suggests queer people and our sexuality basically don't exist -- than it is how things actually are or ever have been.

In reality, sexuality -- which is not and has never been the same as "mating" -- is complex and multi-faceted for many beings, not just human beings. <3