"A taboo, also spelled tabu, is a social group's ban, prohibition, or avoidance of something (usually an utterance or behavior) based on the group's sense that it is excessively repulsive, offensive, sacred, or allowed only for certain people."
The prohibition of certain sexual practices or behaviors in ancient societies.
Ancient sexuality: A study of how gender and sexuality norms were perceived and celebrated in ancient societies.
Sexual taboos in ancient civilizations: This topic encompasses the various practices and beliefs surrounding sexuality and gender that were considered taboo in ancient civilizations.
Gender roles and beauty standards in ancient times: How the definition of beauty has evolved and how gender roles were shaped in ancient societies.
Sexual orientation and gender identity in ancient times: Exploration of non-binary genders and sexual orientations in ancient times.
Marriage and sexual relationships in ancient cultures: A study of how marriages were conducted and the customs surrounding sexual relationships in the past.
The role of religion in defining sexual taboos: Examination of how religion was used to create and maintain sexual taboos.
Prostitution in ancient times: A study of the practice of paid sex work and how it was viewed in ancient societies.
Sexual taboos and censorship in ancient literature: Analyzing how sexual taboos were presented or censored in ancient literature.
Sexuality and slavery in ancient cultures: A study of how sexuality was intertwined with slavery and forced labour in ancient times.
Sexual taboos and medicine in ancient times: A study of how sexuality was tied to the beliefs and practices of ancient medicine.
Incest taboos: Prohibitions on sexual relations between closely related individuals, such as siblings or parents and children.
Homosexuality taboos: Negative attitudes and prohibitions toward same-sex sexual behavior.
Adultery taboos: Norms that restrict sexual relations outside of marriage or committed relationships.
Masturbation taboos: Cultural or religious norms that prohibit or discourage self-pleasuring.
Public nudity taboos: Restrictions on exposing one's body in public.
Bestiality taboos: Taboos against sexual intercourse with animals.
Fetishism taboos: Society’s disapproval and stigmatization of unconventional sexual interests or desires.
Non-procreative sex taboos: Norms that prioritize sex primarily for reproductive purposes or within a heterosexual relationship.
Premarital sex taboos: Restrictive attitudes toward sexual relations prior to marriage.
Sexual violence taboos: Cultural or legal prohibitions against sexual assault or abuse.
Sex with disabled people or elderly taboo: Norms that limit the sexual activity of people with disabilities or elderly individuals.
"Taboos are based on the group's sense that it is excessively repulsive, offensive, sacred, or allowed only for certain people."
"Such prohibitions are present in virtually all societies."
"Taboos may be prohibited explicitly, for example within a legal system or religion, or implicitly, for example by social norms or conventions followed by a particular culture or organization."
"An ecological or medical background is apparent in many, including some that are seen as religious or spiritual in origin."
"Taboos can help use a resource more efficiently."
"When applied to only a subsection of the community they can also serve to suppress said subsection of the community."
"A taboo acknowledged by a particular group or tribe as part of their ways aids in the cohesion of the group."
"A taboo helps that particular group to stand out and maintain its identity in the face of others."
"It creates a feeling of 'belonging'."
"The meaning of the word taboo has been somewhat expanded in the social sciences to strong prohibitions relating to any area of human activity or custom that is sacred or forbidden based on moral judgment, religious beliefs, or cultural norms."
"Taboos are often meant to protect the individual."
"Some taboos have an ecological or medical background."
"Social norms or conventions followed by a particular culture or organization implicitly prohibit taboos."
"A taboo helps that particular group to stand out and maintain its identity in the face of others."
"A taboo acknowledged by a particular group or tribe as part of their ways."
"Taboos can help use a resource more efficiently."
"When applied to only a subsection of the community they can also serve to suppress said subsection of the community."
"Taboos are sacred or forbidden based on moral judgment, religious beliefs, or cultural norms."
"Such prohibitions are present in virtually all societies."