Glossary entry (derived from question below)
English term or phrase:
gestures without engagement
English answer:
sexual signals that do not lead to coupling
Added to glossary by
Charles Davis
Apr 21, 2014 15:52
10 yrs ago
1 viewer *
English term
gestures without engagement
Non-PRO
English
Other
General / Conversation / Greetings / Letters
sexuality in adolescence
Hi,
I’m not sure about the meaning of “gestures without engagement” in the passage below.
What kind of gestures is the text referring to?
Does it mean “gestures” in general (that is: an adolescent behaves in general without much emotional involvement - so his/her gestures will be somewhat "cold"”) or “gestures of a sexual kind” (meaning that he or she may still behave sexually, but without being fully aware of the nature of his/her impulses and drives because of cultural practices - so these gestures will be somewhat "mechanical"...)?
Thanks in advance for any hint!
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Sexual drives, sexual fantasies, sexual behaviors, these are all a part of what we mean when we say that following puberty as adolescents we experience the maturation of our sexuality. We become sexual beings. Emotions drive us to move, to take action, to satisfy a need, and adolescence is filled with these new emotions that drive us to fulfill these new needs.
It’s a lot of new feelings, images, and impulses.
And if cultural practices inhibit those internal sensations from being expressed as actions, there may be a lot of * GESTURES WITHOUT ENGAGEMENT *.
But in cultures where engaging in sexual behaviors is permitted, or even encouraged as in the modern cultural practice of “hooking up,” such sexual activities may be frequent.
I’m not sure about the meaning of “gestures without engagement” in the passage below.
What kind of gestures is the text referring to?
Does it mean “gestures” in general (that is: an adolescent behaves in general without much emotional involvement - so his/her gestures will be somewhat "cold"”) or “gestures of a sexual kind” (meaning that he or she may still behave sexually, but without being fully aware of the nature of his/her impulses and drives because of cultural practices - so these gestures will be somewhat "mechanical"...)?
Thanks in advance for any hint!
=====
Sexual drives, sexual fantasies, sexual behaviors, these are all a part of what we mean when we say that following puberty as adolescents we experience the maturation of our sexuality. We become sexual beings. Emotions drive us to move, to take action, to satisfy a need, and adolescence is filled with these new emotions that drive us to fulfill these new needs.
It’s a lot of new feelings, images, and impulses.
And if cultural practices inhibit those internal sensations from being expressed as actions, there may be a lot of * GESTURES WITHOUT ENGAGEMENT *.
But in cultures where engaging in sexual behaviors is permitted, or even encouraged as in the modern cultural practice of “hooking up,” such sexual activities may be frequent.
Change log
Apr 23, 2014 13:06: Charles Davis Created KOG entry
Responses
+3
2 hrs
Selected
sexual signals that do not lead to coupling
By "coupling" I mean some kind of physical involvement with another person that expresses and relieves sexual desire, including, though not confined to, sexual intercourse.
Interesting how something like this can be read in different ways. In context, I understand "gestures" to mean the kind of signals one gives other people that indicate sexual interest and attraction, and that don't have to include either words or touching. It's referring to when the sexual desires adolescents feel cannot be expressed as actions. In this context, it seems to me that what will happen will be behaviour that gives vent to sexual feelings in a socially acceptable way, so the gestures and the engagement (or lack of engagement) will be of a sexual nature. And if those restrictions don't exist, young people will simply go ahead and have sex.
Interesting how something like this can be read in different ways. In context, I understand "gestures" to mean the kind of signals one gives other people that indicate sexual interest and attraction, and that don't have to include either words or touching. It's referring to when the sexual desires adolescents feel cannot be expressed as actions. In this context, it seems to me that what will happen will be behaviour that gives vent to sexual feelings in a socially acceptable way, so the gestures and the engagement (or lack of engagement) will be of a sexual nature. And if those restrictions don't exist, young people will simply go ahead and have sex.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Yvonne Gallagher
: way I read it as well. Seems fairly clear...
1 hr
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Thanks, Gallagy :)
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| agree |
AllegroTrans
3 hrs
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Thanks, Allegro
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| agree |
Little Woods
11 hrs
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Thanks, Little Woods!
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Hi,
I’ve read the text again, taking into account both interpretations... I must admit that at first I had agreed with Ms Finch’s explanation, but after carefully considering the whole context, I’m inclined to take Charles’ view.
Thank you all for the fruitful exchange!
"
39 mins
socially acceptable mannerisms that don't reflect real feelings
In societies that do not all free expression, there are socially acceptable, polite, stereotyped behaviours that acknowledge the possibility of sexual attraction but that do not reflect real feelings.
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Note added at 1 hr (2014-04-21 17:42:38 GMT)
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Oops lost "ow"; that should be: In societies that do not allow free expression.
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Note added at 1 hr (2014-04-21 17:42:38 GMT)
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Oops lost "ow"; that should be: In societies that do not allow free expression.
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
AllegroTrans
: OK, but what if they do reflect real feelings? I don't see this as an issue in the ST anyway
4 hrs
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I was thinking that "engagement" meant engagement of feelings. However, Charles could be right.
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Discussion
Maybe “gestures” could be interpreted as “more or less explicit manifestations (of sexual interests)” which, however, do not lead to actual sexual intercourse...