Sexual Concerns, as we know from our past discussion has to be positioned in the larger framework of sexuality and unless we are able to talk about sexuality freely and openly in our society, it becomes even more difficult to talk about a 'sexual concern'. Consequently, sexual concerns then get labeled as a 'sexual problem' which is then claimed by the medical fraternity as something which requires their attention. However, we know that sexual concerns are much broader and also very individual. They differ from person to person and from one context to the other. Also how one may decide to deal with them also differs widely.

In some cultures the demand for an hour-glass figure for women and therefore the aspiration of women to achieve such a figure could become a sexual concern; in some other culture or country, it it could be just the opposite. For men, it could be the constant anxiety about penile size or sexual performance. We know that sexualities and genders are not limited to binary concepts. How then do sexual concerns get manifested across various genders and sexualities? What are the stereotypes and assumptions in the process? What would be the sexual concerns specific to people with disabilities, who, again are not a homogenous group?

We have discussed the lack of safe and non-judgemental spaces to talk freely about sexuality and also about sexual concerns. In this subtopic, then let us try to shred this broad concept of sexual concerns into its many layers and discuss the various ways in which they manifest in different cultures and contexts. The idea is not just to gain knowledge and information about sexual practices and behaviours across various cultures but also in the process to create small spaces for ourselves to have a dialogue about sexual concerns and also grow more comfortable talking about them in the process.

For the next two weeks, we will be examining these questions as a part of the forum discussion. Let's put them under two main questions:

1) How do sexual concerns manifest in different cultures in relation to the variables of gender, age disability etc?
2) What are the myths and misconceptions related to sexuality in various cultures and contexts?

Please feel free to write in your analyses, observations, thoughts, comments, and examples addressing any, one, or all of the issues and questions raised above. Alternatively, please pose new questions and ideas you feel are relevant for this sub-topic.

In the coming weeks, we will address a variety of topics related to sexual concerns, various approaches and management. These will include:

Subtopic 3: Sexual Concerns - Approaches and Management
Subtopic 4: Sexual Concerns - What do Rights have to do with them?

We look forward to a lively and exciting discussion!

Arpita Das (Moderator)
The South and Southeast Asia Resource Centre on Sexuality