Sexuality involves much more than just sex and is a natural and integral part of a person’s life from birth to death.
Sexuality is a natural part of every human. Sexuality involves sexual behaviour, i.e. the expression of sexuality:
- sexual behaviour, i.e. the expression of sexuality,
- biological gender,
- gender identity and gender role,
- sexual orientation,
- erotica,
- pleasure,
- closeness,
- having offspring.
Sexuality is experienced and expressed through our thoughts and feelings, dreams and beliefs, attitudes and values, behaviours and habits in diverse roles and relationships. Sexuality also involves a person’s wishes, needs, and desires, as well as the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to fulfil them.
Sexuality is an experience shared by all, regardless of age, personal relationships, or sexual activity.
Although sexuality is multifaceted, encompassing all the aspects listed above, a person’s sexual feelings can vary at different times and in different situations. For example, in adolescence, understanding one’s own sexuality (the search for sexual identity) may be of the utmost importance, while later it may have to do more with relationships and having children. Sexuality is a part of human nature, whether a person engages in sexual activity.
Sexuality is expressed through a person’s feelings, thoughts, and body. Everyone can make their own decisions about their sexuality and sex – for example, what to do about their sexual reactions and sex drive. How to behave when in love? If we rely solely on our bodies when making decisions, then your sexual behaviour is no different from any other physical activity. If we rely solely on our emotions, we risk making unrealistic judgements about different situations and making decisions that we may regret later. Therefore, when making decisions about sexuality, it is important to take both your body and your feelings into account, but also to trust your thinking.
In short, sexuality = feelings + thoughts + body.
Your sexuality is shaped and influenced by:
- biological predispositions,
- personality traits,
- conditions during upbringing,
- people around you,
- cultural and social background.
Everyone has their unique path to discovering their sexuality. You may experience your sexuality differently at different points in your life or with different partners, and sex can have different emotional significance. Your sexuality is always changing and even in adulthood you can still discover a lot about your sexuality.
The article was prepared by using the HIV website of the National Institute for Health Development www.hiv.ee and the Estonian Sexual Health Association www.seksuaaltervis.eewebsite.
The Estonian Sexual Health Association is an advocacy organisation for sexual and reproductive health and rights.
The National Institute for Health Development is a public research and development institution which conducts research on public health, disease prevention programmes and activities and promotes health.
The article was published in 2022.
