Men's Health Knowledge from the Origin and Development of Sexuality

The Origin and Development of Sex

The word "sex" (sexuality) has three meanings:
① Innate nature, inherent disposition;
② The nature or tendency of things;
③ Reproduction, the distinction between male and female organisms.

This discussion primarily focuses on the third meaning of sex.

The ancient Romans believed that heaven and earth were initially united as a single androgynous god, later separated, with the sky as the father and the earth as the mother.

Prehistoric cave dwellers, subsisting on hunting, occasionally encountered birds incubating eggs or newborn animals, which sparked their associations. They believed that all things, like humans, possessed gender, even natural phenomena such as the sky, earth, wind, and fire, and created numerous deities and myths to reinforce this association, further mystifying sex.

The primitive form of life was single-celled organisms, without gender distinctions, producing offspring asexually. Therefore, their method of reproduction was simple: dividing in two, each half continuing to grow and further dividing, as seen in paramecia. This is also true for single-celled organisms and coelenterates. Some small animals (such as hydras) break open their internal spores to grow into new individuals; or they divide their bodies into several segments (such as tapeworms), each of which can grow into a new individual. This type of reproduction does not involve sex, hence it is called asexual reproduction. There are also hermaphroditic organisms, such as some mollusks (like earthworms).

These two types of reproduction are merely unique variations of the maternal form and do not produce new variations. Any progress in this type of reproduction is minimal and very subtle. With biological evolution, more advanced animals have developed specific cells and organs dedicated to reproduction. Organisms are formed through the combination of cells (or reproductive cells), such as the union of sperm and egg, thus giving rise to the distinction between male and female. From dancing bees to humans, the most intelligent of all creatures, all animals possess male and female characteristics and reproduce through mating between opposite sexes—this is sexual reproduction.

The attraction, pursuit, and mating of males and females are a shared biological instinct of all higher animals, including humans. To attract mates, male animals may display their running and jumping abilities, sing to express their "affection," or display their vibrant tail feathers… they strive to showcase their strengths and masculinity to gain the favor and admiration of a mate.

Human sexual unions are far more complex than those of animals, but in terms of reproduction, there is not much difference between humans and higher mammals. Humans have greater control over their reproduction.

The development of individual sexuality is also intriguing. From birth to pre-puberty, the development of both males and females can be considered latent and gradual. It is only during puberty that extremely significant changes occur in the external characteristics and psychology of sexual development in both sexes—the so-called "pubertal mutation." More subtly, there is both natural attraction and affinity between men and women, and unnatural avoidance and estrangement. This leads to sexual desire, and the yearning, pursuit, and love between men and women.

Thus, it is evident how crucial sex is to human evolution and the continuation of groups; and how profound its influence is on individual development and family structure!