Is sex a fundamental human need? I think yes, but I'm not sure why I think that, maybe because it hurts me so much, feels so unhealthy to lack it? (is that normal? why does it do that?) What are the medical benefits of sexual release?

What are your thoughts? Is sex a fundamental human need? If so, why?

It's been said sex is a fundamental part of being human. Why is it a fundamental part of being human?

Nick

Well, Nick sex being a human need really depends on the individual circomstances.

Nick,

Sex is part of what differentiates us from animals. Sometimes I have heard it said that people have too much sex have sex like animals, but nothing could be further from the truth.

Male animals become interested in sex only when they smell a female animal in heat ( at her most fertile stage). This drives them crazy ansd they want constant sex as long as they can smell the female in heat. A female animal has no interest in sex except when she is fertile.

It has been demonstrated time and time again (most recently through studies on Viagra use among men and women) that men get excited and want sex when they think about sex, observe something sexual, smell something sexual, etc. Viagra is successful because men have no difficulty being aroused - but they do sometimes have difficulty getting or maintaining erections. Viagra works for men because it helps with erections - but not arousal.

If men were like animals they would ONLY be aroused when they interacted with women while they were fertile. Obviously this is not the case.

So sex is infact a uniquely human need. Animals have sex to procreate- humans have sex just because they want to.

Susan

I think for you, you just arn't ment to ever have sex or anything like that

I think you are very wrong. Nick is a sexual person and there are ways for him to be sexual. Ed Roberts the father of the independent living movement had no ability to use his body independently below his neck. He could not breathe more than a few minutes unaided by machines. And yet he was a sexual being who successfully fathered 3 children. His adult children at his funeral a few years ago spoke about the great father he was. Disability is not an impediment to sexuality - attitudes of people is the impediment.

Susan

"you just arn't ment to ever have sex or anything like that...."

:'(

you know half the time I believe this, with me kept segregated and excluded and obviously seen as not a full person. I become the most successful advocate in Alabama history, and people still don't see me as what I am, a person with the same feelings as anyone else.

I'd like to believe I'm a full person, mostly I do, sometimes I don't. It's rough when I keep getting conflicting messages about my personhood from society and those around me.

I'll keep fighting.

Nick

I wanted to start the thread on this because I think many view sex as frivolous, an extravagence, an extra, not a need.

Is it an essential need, or just something we like? Why?

Nick