Sexual Diversity and Transcultural Context

Abstract

Sexual variations have existed across all cultures over millennia. However, the attitudes to alternative sexualities and their treatments have varied dramatically and continue to do so even in the twenty-first century. There is no doubt that cultures contribute to expression of distress and how this is expressed and from where help is sought. Cultures also tend to define what is seen as deviant and abnormal or even illegal. Attitudes towards sexuality, sexual orientation and sexual activity, as well as the perceived role of sexual activity, are very strongly influenced by cultural values which may be strongly embedded in tradition and history although this may change. It has been argued that cultures may see sexual activity as purely procreative (sex-negative) or as largely recreational (sex-positive) activity. Gender roles and gender role expectations also vary across cultures as they also tend to influence sexual relationships. It is crucial that clinicians are aware of the role that culture plays in forming attitudes towards sexual minorities. Epidemiological data on the prevalence of sexual minorities across cultures are scant, which in itself reflects underlying potentially negative attitudes towards minority groups. In this chapter, we discuss the potential impact of culture on sexual minorities and potential solutions.