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Human sexual morality can be defined as good or right conduct with respect to sexual behaviour.
Sexual morality can be based on two related concepts;
1. Do unto others as they would unto you (the moral foundation of all world religions - do not cause harm to other people).
2. Informed Consent. This implies two things, true knowledge (to be informed) and a suitable age (adult) to form sexual consent.
"Sexual morality is useful because it distinguishes exactly what should be treated and enforced by the law. If both the consent and maturity requirements are satisfied in a given sexual relationship or act, nothing more can be said regarding the sexual morality of that relationship or act. ... Among the many considerations this brings to light are some of the criteria by which the morality of a sexual relationship cannot be judged, including gender, number of sexual partners, marital status, social class, skin color, cultural or ethnic background, ideological beliefs, level of education, or monetary assets of any parties involved."
What is good and evil, right and wrong has obviously changed over human history and within different cultures. Religion has had a significant impact upon sexual morality. The influence of Saint Augustine (354 - 430), a Christian theologian who associated sexuality with shame by the original sin of Adam and Eve, still exists today.
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Editors: Karene Jade Howie
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