Creating Sexual Pleasure and Sexual Justice in the Twenty-First Century

Sexuality is a subject that has changed drastically throughout the years. At one time, a man fully dressed, shaking his legs while singing and dancing could not be shown on television. Today, there are women shown all over commercials, nevertheless shows, wearing practically nothing. Society has changed to a point where the media in the twenty-first century is filled with sexuality or hidden sexual meanings in most aspects of daily living. In the article, "Creating Sexual Pleasure and Sexual Justice in the Twenty-First Century", Pepper Schwartz writes about how laws that discriminate against women and minorities have been corrected, ethical issues are changed, and the tolerance of such things as homosexuality have increased. She also feels that sex is becoming less and less of a moral crisis in society today and wants to present that thought that society would be better with a more laissez-faire approach to sexuality.

The past century has made a major movement in social leniency. There have been many corrections women's and minority sexuality. Other changes include legalization of abortion, legal dissemination along with many ways of contraception, an increase in explicit sexual material as well as sexual aids, and more of an acceptance for gays and lesbians. Issue like prejudice and separation, though not dominant, are still present. Society as a whole is uncomfortable with sexuality. People can not take in the fact that societies over-sexualized media encourages adolescent premarital sex. The author also feels that there is not enough done to educate teens and pre-teens on the matter of sex, but preach abstinence instead. The author thinks that the daily influence of sex in our lives, in turn is bad for the individual as well as our whole community.

There are many forms in which Schwartz feels the level of sexuality today affects people. Young adults are not taught responsibility and, therefore, hurt the public health eventually. She is also in favor of giving out free contraception to teens. She states that many people in society today do not accept pre-marital sex or gays and lesbians. For example, in the courts today, gays and lesbians, as well as single women are not acceptable parents for children. She also mentions that our actors and actresses today are pushed to be sexy and in her terms "perfect," bringing a false sense of sexuality and or romance to the screen. She also complains that parents teach their children morals that do not relate to the acts of today. Society builds up sex appeal so people want to look, feel, and be better. So in turn, society is hurt by this expectation of looks and sexuality. She would like to see the world accept pure sexuality as comfortable and thence forward, protect it. She believes that the perfect world would be where people are given individual rights and can choose sexual, romantic, and marital partner. As long as the practice does not harm anyone, they can have same sex partners or opposite.

Another aspect that she takes on the issue of sexuality is sex for play. She thinks that there should be privilege given to women to have quote on quote, pleasure with whoever wants it, without needing economic support. Then economic benefit would then be different from the sexual acts. Congress and local governments have been influenced by some new trends. Certain groups such as Liberal lobbies on sex education, civil liberties, gay rights, and feminist concerns greatly influence the government and have caused change to laws in their behalf. The baby boomers are a big part of these liberal views. They experienced a time where it was fine or accepted to have sex openly before marriage. The free-spirited attitude has resulted in life wrecking situations dealing with divorce and open wounds to go with their open sexuality. This brings out the point that sexuality for play is a dangerous material.

Schwartz thinks that the standards might change throughout the twenty-first century. She feels that with the increase in sexuality approval, we might reach out to others and protect their sexual integrity. Governments in foreign countries would feel the need for a standard on the care of a woman and her sexuality. Another point is that people would stand up against the denial of contraception and the choice for a woman to have a sexual or marital partner. Gays and lesbians will be involved in this possession of power. Even as the importance of privacy seems to be on the rise, it is hard to conceive whether sex as pleasure will be accepted in the twenty-first century. Although there should be a few legal restraints, she thinks that society should not prohibit forms of sex or sexuality.

The aspect of women's power has strengthened over the years. As their status or positions in society are opened, their sexuality is also given more opportunity. Women may now choose sexual partners rather than have a "permanent partner," as Schwartz describes it. The twenty-first century will seemingly bring about the approach that women will, as a majority, throw away "sex with meaning," and look simply more into "sex for pleasure."