Animals engage in it, bees do it, and humans have been doing it since ancient times. But how has this activity evolved over thousands of years, and even in just the last few decades?
Historical Milestones of Sexuality
Sexuality is intertwined with human existence; it is the biological method through which humanity reproduces and evolves. The first description of a condom appeared 15,000 years ago. Human understanding has gradually evolved, clarifying what actually occurs, and history witnessed rapid changes during the Renaissance.
Greek philosopher Aristotle (384 – 322 BC) made significant contributions to the theories of biology and reproduction. For instance, his theory suggested that fertilization originates from the male sex, implanted into the female body—forming the basis for later philosophies.
The ancient Romans held parties, Bacchanalian festivals—celebrating Bacchus, the god of wine—were considered “orgies and debauchery.” These festivities were conducted under the auspices of the Roman Senate around 186 BC.
In the East, the philosopher and monk Vatsyayana from India created a renowned book on the art of sex, Kama Sutra, aimed at providing people with a life full of pleasure and enjoyment.
During the Middle Ages, the European churches controlled sexual behaviors outside of marriage, and wedding ceremonies became religious events under the supervision of priests.
Syphilis first appeared among soldiers during the war between France and Naples in 1494. The disease spread rapidly and was known as “the French disease,” leading to strict regulations against prostitution.
Johann Gutenberg was the first to experiment with printing the Bible in 1430, laying the groundwork for printing. By the mid-1670s, Rochester John Wilmot published the first pornographic book, Sosom.
In 1677, Anton Leeuwenhoek studied sperm using a microscope. He discovered that semen actually consists of sperm mixed with other fluids. Sperm itself is a tiny reproductive cell that cannot be seen with the naked eye, while semen is the fluid we can observe when it exits the body.
The Industrial Revolution (1760 – 1850) was a significant turning point that led to major changes in marriage and sexuality.
Exactly 150 years after Anton Leeuwenhoek studied sperm, embryologist Karl Ernst von Baer discovered the existence of eggs in women’s bodies.
The terms “heterosexuality” and “homosexuality” are not actually scientific terms. In 1886, an anonymous activist from Prussia coined these names for individuals identified as “gay” to oppose the criminal law.
Over 2000 years after Aristotle asserted that males were the source of reproduction, Dr. Martin Berry discovered that it required contributions from both sexes, and the formation of species begins when sperm fertilizes an egg.
In the 1880s, electricity opened new treatment methods for women’s hysteria—described by Hippocrates around 450 BC. Vibrators were used to treat female patients suffering from anxiety, insomnia, excessive sexual desire, etc. By 1902, Hamilton Beach patented this device.
In 1882, Dr. Wilhelm Mensinga invented the diaphragm, which quickly became an effective method to prevent unwanted pregnancies.
In 1886, psychiatrist Sigmund Freud conducted his studies in Austria, later presenting theories on sexuality that became the foundation of psychoanalysis throughout the 20th century.
In 1905, while studying the larvae of a beetle, biologist Nettie B. Stevens discovered that sex is determined by X and Y chromosomes. However, contemporary scientists dismissed her theory.
In 1916, Margaret Sanger opened the first birth control clinic in Brooklyn, New York, but it was shut down by the police just 10 days later. She was later taken to court and imprisoned for violating the Comstock laws.
In 1919, Frederick Killian laid the foundation for the production of modern condoms. Rather than using animal skin or cloth, he utilized liquid rubber, which proved to be more effective.
By the 1920s, scientists were able to track women’s monthly reproductive cycles. Based on this information, scientists from Japan and Australia developed a breathing method to prevent pregnancy.
In 1947, Indiana University established the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, where the renowned sexologist Alfred Kinsey was trained. He published the book “Sexual Behavior in the Human Male”, which criticized behaviors and highlighted various anomalies in male sexuality.
The German gynecologist Ernest Gräfenberg published “The Role of the Urethra in Female Orgasm” in the International Journal of Sexuality, pointing out the existence of the female prostate, commonly known as the G-spot.
In 1953, Hugh Hefner launched the first issue of “Playboy”, which quickly became the most popular adult magazine, selling 1 million copies within five years.
On May 11, 1960, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first commercially available birth control pill.
Books such as “Our Bodies, Ourselves” and “The Joy of Sex”, published in 1971 and 1972, reflected the increasing openness of American society towards sexual issues. Subsequently, laws restricting abortion and controlling reproductive rights for unmarried women were enacted.
In 1998, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration passed legislation allowing the sale of sildenafil citrate, known as Viagra.
In 2000, The Netherlands became the first country to legalize same-sex marriage. In 2003, Belgium followed as the second country to pass this law.
As of now, 19 countries worldwide have legalized same-sex marriage, including Argentina, Belgium, Portugal, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Finland, France, Spain, Sweden, Uruguay, and the United Kingdom (excluding Northern Ireland). Several states in the United States and Mexico have also recognized same-sex marriage.
