Sexuality in the Philippines encompasses sexual behavior, sexual practices,
and sexual activities exhibited by men and women of the Philippines past and the present. It
covers courtship strategies for attracting partners for physical and emotional intimacy, sexual
contact, sexual reproduction, building a family, and other forms of individual interactions or
interpersonal relationships, as set and dictated by their culture and tradition, religion,
beliefs, values and moral convictions, psychology, foreign influences, and other related factors.
DEFINITION:
Sexuality is a broad aspect of human identity that includes feelings, behaviors, and relationships
related to attraction, expression, and identity. It involves physical, emotional, and social aspects,
such as biological functions, personal experiences, cultural influences, and societal expectations.
Sexuality also includes aspects like sexual orientation (who someone is attracted to), gender identity
(how someone identifies their gender), and the ways people form relationships. Understanding
sexuality means considering its various dimensions and recognizing the individual and cultural
factors that shape it.
Core ideas and main influences
Although Westernization and globalization have influenced Filipinos who live in the metropolitan
areas, the overall culture remains quite conservative in its sexual values Filipino sexuality is affected
by education received by Filipinos from schools, the media, the rise of the internet, religious
teachings from their churches or other similar spiritual institutions, legal policies and laws, and the
influence of urbanization or urbanized regions in the Philippines. There are provisions and policies in
the constitution of the Philippines which promulgates that the sexual act should happen only within
the framework of married life between a man and woman, because this personal human expression
is solidly connected to the family unit and to society as a whole.
As a predominantly Christian country, the Philippines considers that the only sexual behavior morally
and legally acceptable and appropriate is heterosexual intercourse within a monogamous marriage,
with the exception of polygamous marriage as practiced by some Filipino minority groups and by
Muslim communities in the Mindanao, southern, and southwestern regions of the Philippines, as
long as the men of these population are financially capable of supporting their multiple wives.
The following forms of sexual behavior are still considered illegal in the
country: prostitution, pornography, and similar variants. Although considered morally inappropriate,
quiet homosexuality and heterosexual cohabitation have become socially accepted to a certain
degree.[1] Homosexuality is legal in the Philippines, and the idea of allowing same-sex
marriage remains being debated by "both Church and State"
Furthermore, the Roman Catholic Church became the primary influence in legal, political, and
religious views and issues on sexuality, birth control and contraception, abortion, education
(including sex education, sexual roles of men and women, and homosexuality) and other aspects of
civil life in Philippine society. Among the views of the Catholic Church include that premarital sex
and masturbation are immoral behaviors, and that homosexuality – similar to the form of Catholicism
introduced by the Spanish missionaries – is an abnormal human conduct
One of the general pronouncements for the majority of Filipinos is that men should choose to marry
virgin women and that women should keep and maintain their virginity until marriage. However, there
are some tribal Filipino communities who permit young men and women to engage in sexual
activities beginning from the stage of puberty
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexuality_in_the_Philippines#:~:text=As%20a%20predominantly%20Christ
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GUIDE QUESTIONS:
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What aspects does sexuality in the Philippines encompass?
How are courtship strategies described in the context of Filipino sexuality?
What are the various factors that influence sexual behavior in the Philippines?
How has Westernization and globalization influenced Filipino sexuality, particularly in
metropolitan areas?
What role do education, media, and the internet play in shaping Filipino sexual values?
How are religious teachings and legal policies influential in the realm of sexuality in the
Philippines?
What does the constitution of the Philippines state regarding sexual acts?
What is considered legally and morally acceptable sexual behavior in the predominantly
Christian country?
How is homosexuality regarded in the Philippines, both legally and socially?
What is the current status of the debate on same-sex marriage in the Philippines?
How does the Roman Catholic Church influence views on homosexuality in the country?
In what areas does the Roman Catholic Church exert influence regarding sexuality in the
Philippines?
What are some of the views of the Catholic Church on premarital sex, masturbation, and
homosexuality?
How has the Catholic Church shaped views on birth control, contraception, and abortion in
Philippine society?
15. What are the prevailing cultural norms regarding virginity and marriage in the Philippines?
16. How do tribal Filipino communities differ in their approach to sexual activities, particularly
among the youth?
17. Are there specific circumstances under which premarital sex is permitted in certain Filipino
communities?