Though sex is prevalent in every culture, the values and taboos that come along with the act vary across the globe.
Nadim Ayche, an Ohio University civil engineering graduate student from Lebanon, said both males and females are encouraged by Islamic faith to save sex until after marriage.
In America
it is considered normal to have sex outside of marriage. In Lebanon it is considered adultery and is destructive to society he said. Sex outside of marriage tears families apart.
Though it is rumored that families of women, in Indonesian-Muslim culture, who have illegitimate children disown their daughters, Elizabeth Collins, associate professor of classic and world religion, said a family member would raise the child.
Birth control and other forms of contraceptives are available in Indonesia and other Muslim countries, mostly to those who are married, she said.
When a person goes to buy birth control
they are asked many questions before they are allowed to purchase it
Rahul Jadv, said an OU graduate student from India. Birth control is much easier to get in America
because no questions are asked and those who want to purchase it can do so in secrecy.
Sex portrayed in movies and television also is different in the United States than in other cultures.
The way that Americans portray sex in movies and television is so bold; they talk about sex so openly
Sheikh said. It was my major culture shock-because in India
none of the technicalities of sex are shown. A scene will show a man and woman hugging and then the image will fade out.
Ayche said all television programs originating in the United States that contain any sexual references are banned from public TV in Lebanon, but can be viewed through subscribed programming.
It's not safe; a 12-year-old can go turn on the TV in the middle of the night and watch those programs
he said. Those ideas should stay in America.
Pornographic magazines and videos are also available in India, but are less glorified that those found in America. Jadv said those who take part in the Indian pornography industry are somewhat disgraced from society.
In America
porn stars are treated like icons and have celebrity status
he said. It is different in India; if a girl is pretty she will not go into porn.
Ayche said the Islamic point of view centers around respecting woman.
Women are expected to cover their bodies fully in order to protect them from being hurt emotionally or physically by males he said.
Collins, who travels between the United States and Indonesia frequently, said she adopted the traditional form of dress once she was in Indonesia. When she left her residence, she wore a long-sleeved shirt with a high collar and long pants or skirt made of a light material. She did not cover her head, as traditional Muslim woman do.
I do not mind dressing that way; it is actually very comfortable
