Empirical studies show that the current sexual practices of adolescents and adults cannot be regarded as "depraved". Monogamous concepts of morality and (serially) monogamous behavior determine the great majority of sexual relationships. Concerning social theory, we must keep in mind that the repression of the body in the functionally differentiated society leads to an immense upward revaluation of the body. The societal suggestion of "sexual fitness" in all its ambivalence should be placed in this context. Overall, it appears that protestant sexual ethics has good reason to draw on the late modern democratisation of intimate relationships as well as the new "consensus morality", which seeks to apply equality and reciprocity in practice. At the same time, it should be noted that a consensus of two may harm or injure a third person. On this basis, the article develops social ethical consequences for the practice of hetero- and homosexuality, for the plurality of sexual ways of life, and - last but not least - for traditional gender norms (burdensome to experiencing sexuality). Overall, it appears that nowadays, sexual ethics can only develop a convincing normativity if it confronts the burdensome legacy of modern gender stereotypes and its own, latently body-hostile traditions critically.

Enthalten in:
Zeitschrift für Evangelische Ethik; 2012/4 Kommentare, Studien, Berichte, Dokumentationen, Diskussionen, Rezensionen, Bibliographie (2012)

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Serie / Reihe: Zeitschrift für Evangelische Ethik

Personen: Karle, Isolde

Schlagwörter: Sexualität Sozialethik Gender