Nature of man Quote by Christopher Ryan
““What is the essence of human sexuality and how did it get to be that way? In the following pages, we’ll explain how seismic cultural shifts that began about ten thousand years ago rendered the true story of human sexuality so subversive and threatening that for centuries it has been silenced by religious authorities, pathologized by physicians, studiously ignored by scientists, and covered up by moralizing therapists.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Sex at Dawn by Christopher Ryan and Cac White, 2010
Human sexuality is shaped by deep cultural changes over millennia, making its true nature controversial and often suppressed by institutions.
In simple terms: Sexuality is culturally constructed and often hidden.
Key Takeaway
Question how culture shapes sexual norms.
Themes
culture
history
sexuality
power
silence
Mood
curious
critical
thoughtful
Type
analytical
controversial
When to use this quote
- anthropology
- gender studies
- public policy
- therapy
- religion
Key Concepts
cultural evolution
social constructionism
normativity
Questions to Reflect On
- How have modern shifts altered sexual norms?
- What forces keep sexual topics taboo?
A Different Perspective
Cultural narratives can be resistant to change despite evidence.
![“[Man] has imagined a heaven, and has left entirely out of it the supremest of all his delights, the one ecstasy that stands first and foremost in the heart of every individual of his race…sexual intercourse! It is as if a lost and perishing person in a roasting desert should be told by a rescuer…” quote by Christopher Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/939/christopher-ryan-4309_joy_man-has-imagined-a-heaven-and-has-left-e_187069.jpg)
