Gender & sexuality is an important issue that differs from one country to another, two regions that are very distinct and general are the Arab world and the Western World. Both these regions are heavily populated and both these areas have totally different views concerning gender & sexuality. The Western view towards sexuality is normally considered a more liberal approach, where as the Arab world's view in most of its related states is a conservative approach that is often implemented by force. The Arab & Western cultures are extremely diverse in their methods and their religious beliefs. Therefore sexuality is viewed differently in both regions and that's why these two regions should be discussed and compared in a sociological study. Sex that refers to the biological differences between men & women is different than gender, which is the psychological difference between males & females therefore referring to the extremes of Arab & Western society.

Sexual relations in Middle Eastern societies have historically articulated dominant and subordinate social positions, adult men on the higher social status, women, boys, and sla

Whether the 7th Century message of the Qur'an undermined or improved the position of women is debatable. It is more logical to agree that in past centuries Muslim males adopted the cultural practices of Byzantines and Sasanians, it gives out a message that the seclusion of women to reserve public and political life for men. This distinguishes the two sexes as opposites: Men as rational and capable, women as emotional and lacking, specifically of their sexual drives. Female sexuality when uncontrolled could result in a social problem (Fitna) and therefore reward males control of women's bodies.

'Everyone does gender without thinking about it' (Judith Lorber, Paradoxes of Gender, pp 13). The differences in gender are something we live with every day, we all at one point or another 'do gender'. When a female in a respectable community in western society is asked to act as a lady, she is expected to act accordingly with good manners as a woman. The same is expected for an Arab female but it differs on a conservative level, and she is typically expected to be in a state of domination by her husband.

5) Religious, Ethnic, and Gender factors effecting sexuality www.rki.de/Gesund/Archiv/USA05.HTM

In conclusion, men and women are of opposing sexes but their differences have been made this way to homogeneously complete each other. Obviously no area has a perfectly constructed social system that treats genders exactly the same. Of course there are areas that are better than others but none are perfect. The two different regions that have been discussed in this paper are both unique in their own way. The Arab world is a heavily cultured society that has historically always had a huge effect on science, understanding and religion. The firm Islamic base that the Arabs have maintained affects their sexual preferences and ideologies therefore causing a somewhat conservative environment. The western world flourishes with its multi-dimensional approach to sexual practices that opens up a liberal door to their people. Freedom of expression is a norm in most westernized societies; some Arab countries have sought to become more westernized and some are being heavily influenced by the West. Despite the differences and recent conflicts between the Arabs and the West, men and women from both regions should feed off each other in order to be more productive in the big picture. Simply because we, 'live in one sweet world and around the stars we are spinning' (Dave Matthews, One Sweet World).

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Approximate Word count = 1953
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)