Celibacy and Native American Indians

Abstract

Abstract Native American Indians do not embrace or stress the necessity for celibacy because it is not a creative act and represents something more sterile and static, whereas sex is a natural act that is encouraged. The dichotomy between body and soul does not contribute to an emphasis on celibacy because sexuality is conceptualized as a creative power. There are examples of short‐term celibacy among some social groups for mostly religious motives, although cultural figures often give overt expression to sexuality.