Discuss the impact of Aids on late twentieth century sexual attitudes.
The Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, commonly known as AIDS, a spectrum of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (or HIV), emerged in the 20th Century to considerable social turmoil. AIDS particularly impacted on societal views concerning sexuality and sexual attitudes. AIDS was discovered late in the 20th Century, with widespread anxiety quickly enveloping the new unfamiliar aggressive disease. A particular impact of AIDS on late 20th Century attitudes was its role in deepening the distance between the homosexual community and the general population. The disease challenged ideas surrounding homosexuality, heterosexuality, and youth sexuality; while also escalating homophobia. …show more content…
However, it was discovered in 1986 that AIDS could in fact be contracted by heterosexuals, as accounts of AIDS spreading in heterosexual communities was spreading, despite efforts from the media to prolong the notion that AIDS was exclusive to homosexuals only. ‘Unexplained’ cases of women contracting AIDS through heterosexual activity emerged, although this revelation had some negative impact on the homosexual community as society blamed homosexuals for infecting their communities. This development in the AIDS epidemic saw the emergence of bisexuals, as men who were known to be heterosexual also sought pleasure from sexual acts with homosexual men, and therefore would be infected with the disease, thus transferring the disease onto heterosexual partners. The condemnation of the homosexual community for the infection of AIDS within the heterosexual community develops the idea that AIDS was originally socially constructed, maintained by the media and conservation groups in an effort to control the ‘sexual …show more content…
Against the societal belief that sex was a closed topic, nationwide sex education for both gender from the age of 8 was proposed. Concern from political bodies that a sexual education would promote premature sex in youth, there were restrictions on discussions of safe sex options and the differing forms of sex; resulting in sex education being limited largely towards the promotion of abstinence. Nevertheless, this approach was challenged as awareness rose that sexually active teenagers were at risk of contracting AIDS, resulting in the argument that it was more beneficial to educate safe sex that to experience the consequences. Sex education was also factored into the media, with the approach of encouraging women to protect themselves from infection of the disease from ‘deviants’ at their own responsibility. This challenged social norms as women were now encouraged to demand safe sex in a society were this role had previously been the responsibility of the male gender. Awareness of the danger of AIDS to the entire society generated changes in sexual attitudes, particularly the importance of sexual education for youths, and the responsibility of women to uphold safe sex practices. This change in sexual attitudes introduces the argument
The Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, commonly known as AIDS, a spectrum of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (or HIV), emerged in the 20th Century to considerable social turmoil. AIDS particularly impacted on societal views concerning sexuality and sexual attitudes. AIDS was discovered late in the 20th Century, with widespread anxiety quickly enveloping the new unfamiliar aggressive disease. A particular impact of AIDS on late 20th Century attitudes was its role in deepening the distance between the homosexual community and the general population. The disease challenged ideas surrounding homosexuality, heterosexuality, and youth sexuality; while also escalating homophobia. …show more content…
However, it was discovered in 1986 that AIDS could in fact be contracted by heterosexuals, as accounts of AIDS spreading in heterosexual communities was spreading, despite efforts from the media to prolong the notion that AIDS was exclusive to homosexuals only. ‘Unexplained’ cases of women contracting AIDS through heterosexual activity emerged, although this revelation had some negative impact on the homosexual community as society blamed homosexuals for infecting their communities. This development in the AIDS epidemic saw the emergence of bisexuals, as men who were known to be heterosexual also sought pleasure from sexual acts with homosexual men, and therefore would be infected with the disease, thus transferring the disease onto heterosexual partners. The condemnation of the homosexual community for the infection of AIDS within the heterosexual community develops the idea that AIDS was originally socially constructed, maintained by the media and conservation groups in an effort to control the ‘sexual …show more content…
Against the societal belief that sex was a closed topic, nationwide sex education for both gender from the age of 8 was proposed. Concern from political bodies that a sexual education would promote premature sex in youth, there were restrictions on discussions of safe sex options and the differing forms of sex; resulting in sex education being limited largely towards the promotion of abstinence. Nevertheless, this approach was challenged as awareness rose that sexually active teenagers were at risk of contracting AIDS, resulting in the argument that it was more beneficial to educate safe sex that to experience the consequences. Sex education was also factored into the media, with the approach of encouraging women to protect themselves from infection of the disease from ‘deviants’ at their own responsibility. This challenged social norms as women were now encouraged to demand safe sex in a society were this role had previously been the responsibility of the male gender. Awareness of the danger of AIDS to the entire society generated changes in sexual attitudes, particularly the importance of sexual education for youths, and the responsibility of women to uphold safe sex practices. This change in sexual attitudes introduces the argument