How Important Is Sex?

Human papillomavirus , Condom , Birth control

Rachel Figueroa
Lauren Grant
ENC 1101
10 December 2012
Just How Important Is Sex, Really?
Humans are sexual beings. Regardless, if we are young or old, female or male, American or Chinese, sex is an integral part of what we do and who we are. Next to sleeping and eating, it seems that it is one of the most important drives we have as humans. It takes up so much of our time in thought and behavior that it sometimes seems that every facet of our life revolves around this to some extent. Let us be realistic, we all want it and we all need it. It provides various health benefits, a boost of confidence, and overall happiness. Unlike animals, sex is so much more than a means of reproduction. Sex is emotional. Sex is communicative. Sex is fun. Sex is natural. With this being said, I believe sex is vital for a person. Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs emphasizes the importance of self-actualization. This theory is normally seen as a pyramid broken into five components, the most basic needs being in bottom and the most complex needs being towards the top of the pyramid. The pyramid consists of physiological needs, safety needs, belongingness and love needs, esteem needs and finally self-actualization ( One must fulfill the most basic needs before progressing on to meet higher levels of growth. Once these needs have been satisfied, one is able to reach the highest level being self-actualization. Along with the most basic needs such as food, water, and shelter, Maslow included sex. Maslow’s hierarchy theory demonstrates that for a person to become self-actualized, that person must have sex whether it is for procreation or recreation. Aside from the physiological need for sex in the first level of the hierarchy, Maslow also points out the need for sexual intimacy in the third level of the pyramid. Unlike sex, sexually intimacy breaks into much more than the act of having sex. According to, sexually intimacy consists of...
tracking img