by Allen Teal

Created on: July 18, 2008   Last Updated: December 11, 2011

In nearly every society on this planet, sex and morality have a relationship. Our technologically advanced society still has not ironed out how sex and morality should relate to each other. In simple terms, sex is the act that you perform. Morality is how that act is viewed. Somewhere between the two lies your personal reaction to the topic.

It would be hard to argue that sex is morally wrong. Without sex, the human race is on its final generation. The only really practical way for the vast majority of people to reproduce is to have sex. Whether you view humans as the highest creation of God or the fruit of eons of evolution, sex between a man and woman still serves the same function when it comes to procreation. A sperm meets an egg and life continues.

Homosexuality, autosexuality, and other forms of sex acts may be viewed by many as deviant and morally unacceptable. No other form of sexual activity serves a direct biological function to continue human existence. If this is the criterion that has to be met to make sex moral, then even most heterosexual activity in modern society misses the cut.

In humans, sex has to serve a greater need than just procreation. Involved in sex is the need for acceptance and bonding. It also is connected with pleasure and stress release. In some cases, sex has to do with conquest and dominance of others. In its more base forms, sex can be used to demoralize, abuse, and harm. Sex has been performed for money, spite, and excitement.

With so many different ways to look at sex, solving the moral aspects of it can become quite difficult. Each society sets its own definition of sexual morality. These guidelines generally are based upon the anticipated outcome of the act of sex. Any sex act that does not directly benefit an individual or society may be deemed immoral. If the act varies too much from accepted social or religious norms, it will be considered immoral or amoral.

Because most religions have indictments against homosexual behavior, it is common to be included in the list of immoral sexual behaviors. Likewise, because bestiality, polygamy, and prostitution frequently violate religious doctrines, they are considered immoral. Unmarried sexual activity whether adultery or fornication is viewed as immoral from the religious perspective.

Most civilized societies see sex between and adult and child to be unacceptable behavior. The proper age for the younger participant varies from society to society. Once a minimum age has been established, the consent of the child is viewed as irrelevant. This type of sex is immoral and illegal.

On a personal level, sex can become immoral when it involves the lowering of a person's code of conduct. Sex that is only for revenge or gratification may be considered immoral. Casual sex can fall into this category as well. Even autoeroticism, voyeurism, and pornography test the moral code of the individual as much or more as it does any societal morality.

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