Sexuality is a uniquely human trait, and is the way in which people experience and express themselves sexually. Sexuality is personal and diverse, and is an important part of who we are, what we believe, and what we feel. It affects almost all aspects of human behaviour and our relationships with others. Grounded in biological functioning, human sexuality emerges in each person as they develop. Biology - however, is only one component of sexuality. Sexuality is an interplay of biology, society, and culture, and how people choose to express their sexuality and define what is “normal”, is shaped by a number of societal and cultural influences. Human culture can transcend biology – our opinions, attitudes, and values about sexuality are greatly influenced by our family of origin. The things we learned from our caregivers have contributed to the people we are today - things such as communication, showing affection, and dealing with emotions have in large part, been learned from our interactions and experiences in our families.
Sexuality can be contradictory and confusing, and people are often uncomfortable talking about sex. Cultures and societies have norms and rules to control the ways in which people develop sexual bonds with one another. Some people believe there should be strong moral restrictions around sexual behaviour, while others believe each person should be free to explore and express their sexuality. While some people believe that all kinds of sexual expression are equally acceptable and valid, others believe that only heterosexual sex is acceptable. People express sexuality in various ways, and modern views of sexuality do not categorize people as “normal” versus “deviant”. Different people become aroused by different things, and one person’s interests and behaviours may not be as common as another person’s, however, a behaviour should only be considered “deviant” if it is in some way harmful. A person’s sexual health is their state of physical, mental, and social well-being in relation to sexuality. Sexuality is fundamental to who we are and how we respond to others, and each person is responsible for their own sexual health.