Why Is Sex Shameful?
Sexual shame seems to be part of human nature, but its causes are mysterious.
The book of Genesis tells us that when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit and were expelled from the Garden of Eden, they felt suddenly ashamed of being naked.
“Then the eyes of both [Adam and Eve] were opened and they realized that they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.” Genesis 3:7.
The story has some weak logic. Cover themselves from whom? From each other? But they were a couple and had sex with each other — otherwise, we wouldn’t be here. From God? But God sees everything, so trying to cover yourself from Him seems rather futile.
Never mind. What is important in this story is that it tells us that sexual shame is universal, an intrinsic part of human nature. This means that sexual shame has a biological origin, and not merely a cultural one. Otherwise, sexual shame would be present only in some cultures and not in others.
Is this true? And, if so, why?
Instances of sexual shame
- In many cultures, particularly in Western countries, being naked is shameful and humiliating. Partial states of undress are permissible at the beach, or while changing in the presence…
