Wednesday, January 26

Sexual freedom: piety v. frustration

Muslims countries, such as Pakistan, are some of the biggest consumers of Internet pornography. Given that web access is no way near as widespread as in Europe and the US, that amounts to a lot of dodgy bytes downloaded via the limited web access they do have. In fairness, pornography is a major web activity everywhere, but I do think it is worth asking why it is more widespread in some countries.

In my opinion, strictly enforced segregation of the sexes, based on puritanical cultural and religious norms, leads to a feeling of frustration, which finds an outlet in graphic sexual imagery. Piety, self-control and sexual forbearance cannot be enforced. These are qualities that have to be cultivated. Repression does not get rid of problems; it merely brushes them under the carpet. If you have the right contacts, you can get hold of anything. The Internet provides an easy route to many things.

On my visits to Mirpur, while sitting in the bazaar sipping sweet tea, I have noticed that sex is never far away as a topic of conversation among young men. Often it is in graphic detail and quite vulgar. Another thing I have observed is that whenever a young woman passes through the bazaar, she inevitably attracts the amorous glances of young men. That is why women rather take a long detour than walk through the bazaar. Very rarely, there is an exchange of smiles, messages are subconsciously conveyed by the eyes and a secret liaison ensues. There is no way of knowing how widespread secret relationships are. Often they are the subject of village gossip.

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