This story is from February 28, 2009

What's your view on sex?

ANI / Updated: Jun 2, 2023, 19:46 IST

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If you think that sex is natural and something to be celebrated then you can call yourself erotophilic, but if your sexual views are restrictive and condemning, then you’re erotophobic.

What's your view about sex? (Getty images)

Ifyou are one of those who think that sex is natural and something to becelebrated then you can call yourself erotophilic, but if your sexual views arerestrictive and condemning, then you��reerotophobic.
For many it maynot matter if they are erotophilic or erotophobic, but being labelled as eithertype can say a lot about your sexual state and your sex life.
These traits affect yourability to embrace your sexual desire. They heavily impact how you feel aboutsex, sexual response, and libido, says Yvonne K. Fulbright, a sexexpert.
Being erotophobic or anerotophilic is so important that these categories have been used in scores ofsexuality studies, reportsFox News.
Researchers have used theselabels as a way to assess things like homophobia, the emotional tone of writtenfantasies, and even one��s willingness to attend to sexual details whendrawing the human figure.
Andone should know where they stand on this spectrum, because helps to understandwhether one sees sex and sexual relationships as rewarding ornot.
Also it can explain whysome people are better about boosting their desire. Falling under either ofthese categories can even uncover why some are more into opportunities wherethey can express themselvessexually.
Other things, whichthis classification may help are...
Bedroomantics
Being an erotophile is goingto benefit you in the bedroom because erotophiles have positive views about sexand their sexual self-image. They see sexual intimacy as a means to affection,love and emotional connection. To these people, sex is a good thing that canhelp to maintain arelationship.
Erotophobes, onthe other hand, have trouble relating to any of this. Sex is not something toembrace, but something to be done if it must be done.
Sexcommunication
Being erotophilicshould mean that you��re more comfortable talking about sex matters and itcan affect your ability to handle sex information. A study has found that beingerotophobic is linked with the belief in sex myths and the transmission ofmisinformation toothers.
Sexualthoughts
A study revealed thaterotophiles have more sex dreams. These individuals also have more frequentobsessive thinking about sex and more frequent sexually intrusive thoughts.Signs of sexual arousal are more frequent for these individuals. Such arousal toerotica is often met with greater positivefeelings.
But, erotophobesrespond to sexually intrusive thoughts more negatively. The feelings theyexperience include guilt, disapproval and a greater desire to avoid thethoughts. Signs of sexual arousal cause more sexual anxiety for erotophobes thanthey doerotophiles.
Sexualhealth
Being an erotophobe orerotophile can impact your sexual health. It was found that one��s level oferotophobia influences their likelihood of engaging in sexual health care, likebreast self-exams (BSE).
Usually, erotophobes are thevictims of negative sexual messaging or experiences growing up. Survivors ofsexual abuse and trauma may be, understandably, erotophobic. For them, sex hascome to mean something painful, hateful, orhurtful.
Any erotophobe mayfeel sexually restricted by the religious and societal norms, mores,restrictions, and taboos that seek to regulate our sex lives. All of thesefactors make it very difficult for them to sexually connect with theirpartner.
But, erotophiles tendto have received positive messages about sex while growing up. Some may have hador have a partner who has a healthy outlook on sex �� something that hasrubbed off. They may also feel sexually enlightened owing to positive sexualexperiences and sex education.

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