Heather Little-White, Ph.D.Contributor

To emancipate means to liberate, unshackle, set free or release. (English Thesaurus) How does this meaning relate to one's sexuality, a complex and dynamic process? It is a type of sexual freedom. Sexual freedom means that individuals realise God created them as sexual beings. It means understanding that sexuality is not inherently bad, but a beautiful expression of self. Sexual freedom calls for the understanding that healthy sexuality is expressed within the context of a vibrant, healthy monogamous union.

Individuals have rights which relate to their sexual expressions and the establishment of a set of norms within a culture. Normal sexuality is defined by certain legal sex acts between consenting individuals within set criteria of age, status and relatedness. On the other hand, non-restrictive sexual norms are part of the emerging sexual freedom, sexual liberation or free love which purists may consider as promoting 'licentiousness' or perversion. However, when these practices are viewed negatively they are considered as sexually oppressive.

Lobby

Today, in Western culture, there has been some relaxation of sexual norms with perversions and paraphilias becoming more acceptable between consenting adults in private. The liberalisation of attitudes to certain sexual practices has interest groups in many countries lobbying for rights and legalisation of acts such as homosexuality and same sex marriages. Liberalising trends have also seen a greater acceptance of common-law unions. Sexual relationships are now a matter of individual choice instead of societal dictates.

Sexual rights

Within the ambits of the culture, each individual is entitled toexpression of his or her sexual rights which are universal, based on the inherent freedom, dignity and equality of all human beings. As societies promote the development of healthy sexuality, there are sexual rights that should be recognised, promoted, respected and defined by all societies. These rights have been developed by the World Health Organisation and the World Association of Sexologists.

The right to sexual freedom. This should allow individuals to express their full sexual potential. However, this should not include coercion, exploitation and abuse.

The right to sexual autonomy, sexual integrity and safety of the sexual body. This right involves the ability to make decisions about one's sexual life within their personal and social value system.

The right to sexual privacy. Sexual behaviour should not intrude on the sexual rights of others.

The right to sexual equity. There should be no form of discrimination regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, race, social class, religion, physical or emotional disability.

The right to sexual pleasure. Sexual pleasure, including masturbation, should be seen as the source of physical, psychological, intellectual and spiritual well-being.

The right to emotional sexual expression. Sexual expression is more than erotic pleasure or sexual acts, expressing their sexuality through communication, touch, emotional expression and love.

The right to associate freely. This means the option to marry, to divorce and to establish other types of responsible sexual associations.

The right to make free and responsible reproductive choices. This includes the right to decide whether or not to have children, the number and spacing and the right to full access to the means of fertility regulation.

The right to sexual information based on scientific inquiry. Sexual information from sound research practices should be disseminated in appropriate ways at all levels of society.

The right to comprehensive sexuality education. This is a lifelong process throughout the life-cycle through all social institutions.

The right to sexual health care. Sexual health care should be available for the prevention and treatment of all sexual concerns, problems and disorders.

Human sexual behaviour is moving out of the rigid societal and religious structures to a narrative of sexual struggle for sexual emancipation and well-being.