Affect in the Modern World

¶ … family, friendship and love are addressed by the collection of authors in the readings. Specifically, these include issues of sexuality, gender, homosexuality, and the relationship between parents and children. All these issues have changed as the world developed sociologically and technologically. Current technological and informational developments for example have a profound effect on the morals and norms relating to the above issues.

In terms of sexuality, Erich Fromm suggests that erotic love is frequently deceptive, as it is mistaken for the phenomenon of love itself, rather than an extension of the emotion. When the union is however achieved, no barriers are left to conquer and the tendency is to crave a new union with another stranger. This urge is however frequently curbed by the ethics of sexuality imposed by society as described by Bertrand Russell. Although the structure of society favors polygamy, monogamy is often imposed by the subconscious that is programmed with the ethics of monogamy in childhood. This, according to Russell, is why people often remain in relationships that have become dysfunctional. The reasons for this often combine elements of social stigma and moral upbringing.

Russell furthermore expounds two more elements involved in this paradigm of sexuality. These include the conflict between the impulse to jealousy and the impulse to polygamy. In order to curb disfunctionality, Russell calls for a compromise between the two, suggesting that young people should be allowed relative sexual freedom, while married or otherwise committed persons should be allowed to dissolve the bonds of the relationship with greater ease than is currently the case.

The implication is that sex, as stated by Fromm, is separated from love. This is the separation of sex from love, as dealt with by Olson in her poem. This is the deception of sexuality -- it is often mistaken for love itself, rather than an extension of it.

Gender issues closely relate to the sexual evolution of society. Women have entered the workplace, and demanded equal rights to men. The implication of this is however that women can no longer rely on being entirely supported by their husbands or indeed ex-husbands. According to Russell, the disintegration of any relationship between two persons should also mean the disintegration of financial support from either party. Women can now enter the workplace without fear of discrimination as a result of social evolution. Thus women should be expected to support themselves and whatever children resulted from previous unions. This is the kind of self sufficiency called for by June Jordan. This author demands a certain element of pride that appears to be lacking in her gender. Indeed, she derives greater pride from her race than her gender. In the same way, Barbara Ehrenreich berates the tendency of certain women to rely on their gender for financial gain in terms of alimony, when they are perfectly capable of earning their own income. None of these authors are suggesting that alimony should be immediately terminated on the strength of this argument. At least however, alimony should be terminated within a reasonable period of time when a newly divorced woman is able to secure work for herself.

Gay rights is a further issue that has enjoyed considerable attention in recent times. The most prominent issue is that of gay marriage. Mohr suggests that distinguishing between genders in order to define marriage is absurd, and that love and commitment should be the distinguishing factors. Human beings who are inclined to be together should thus not be deterred from doing so legally as a result of their gender.

It has been seen above, in the case of Russell especially, that values based upon biblical teachings have become somewhat arbitrary as opposed to being accepted without question. Thus homosexuality has increasingly been accepted as part of the diverse society, rather than condemning the phenomenon as perverse.

Finally, it is the opinion of numerous authors within the readings that parents should be absolutely honest with their children regarding the above issues. In terms of sexuality, for example, Rusell demands that children should be told all that they wish to know about sexuality, with the result that they will grow up without the sexual dysfunctions imposed by negative religious and moral views usually established at childhood. This should also be the case regarding gender and gay roles, as well as rights. If a child is a girl for example, she should be taught that her place in the world will be the result of her actions, rather than decisions and norms imposed by society. Russell especially calls for honesty between parents and children. Children for example should never be made to feel ashamed for being curious about sexuality.