Human Sexuality

According to chapter one of Human sexuality in a world of diversity, "value systems provide a framework for judging the moral acceptability of sexual options" (Rathus, 2005).

There are any sources to a person's value system. Some sources can include one's parents, peers, religion, ethnic subcultures, and one's appraisal of all these influences. The value systems that provide a guiding framework in determining a person's moral acceptability of one's sexual choices can include legalism, situational ethics, ethical relativism, asceticism. utilitarinaism, and rationalism.

The values systems in which I most relate to are situational ethics and ethical relativism. Situational ethics is explained by an Episcopal theologain by the name of Joseph Fletcher. Fletcher argued that ethical decision making should be guided by genuine love for others rather than by rigid moral rules (Rathus, 2005).

An example may be that of a women who was raised as a Roman Catholic that was taught abortion was murder, but her personal situation, her love for her existing family and recongnition of her limited monetary resources in providing for another child, may influence her decision in afavor of going against her religious beliefs and have an abortion.

Additionally, Fletcher argues that rules for conduct should be flexible guidelines. Meaning the situationist can suspend, ignore, or violate any principle if one can affect more good than bad by following it (Rathus, 2005). I feel that if a decieion one makes can better a situation for the whole, its alright to go against the rules.

Ethical relativism assumes that diverse values are fundamental to human existence. Ethical relativists reject the idea that there is a single correct moral veiw. Ethical relativists also believe that there is no objective way of justifying one set moral values over another. This veiw explains that the essence of human morality is to derive one's own principles and apply them according to one's own conscience (Rathus, 2005).

I agree with this value system as well. I belive that there are many different aspects to one's life that can alter ways in which a person makes a decision. For an example, one person may feel it is completely unacceptable to engage in premarital sex, whereas, another person may feel that if a couple is in love and committed to one another then its acceptable to have premartial sex. I feel that it is up to the individual to make their decision and they know that conscience will apply.