Sexuality Issues After Disasters

“When you come out of the storm, you won't be the same person who walked in.”

Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami

In his novel Unbearable Lightness of Being, Milan Kundera explores the intricate relationships between characters' love lives against a historical backdrop following the Soviet Union's invasion of Czechoslovakia to suppress reformists in Prague. The author’s characters are educated individuals who struggle with love, extramarital affairs, and infidelity. Throughout the novel, Kundera delves into these characters' inner conflicts and desires, using their relationships to explore themes of identity, freedom, and the existential burden of choice. The novel's narrative intertwines their stories with philosophical reflections on life's fleeting nature and the search for meaning amidst personal and political upheavals in Eastern Europe. From the readers' perspective, it appears that frustrated individuals turn to sex as a means to escape from political disappointments.

In a 1977 article in The New York Times, it was shown that there was a gender revolution and a prevalence of extramarital affairs in the mid-20th century in the Soviet Union. The article highlights that these relationships were widespread, and despite the availability of contraceptives, the number of children born from such affairs was significant.¹

Sexuality issues after catastrophes

It has been proposed that catastrophes and disasters have both positive and negative effects on sexuality and fertility. Some studies have reported that natural crises like earthquakes or the COVID-19 pandemic may have a negative influence on sexual functioning. However, most of these findings focus on social distance and hygiene problems following these crises and do not reveal the net effect of crises on sexual desire. On the other hand, some studies show a positive impact of natural disasters on sexuality and fertility. In a 2013 article, Jocelyn E. Finlay examines three deadly earthquakes in Turkey in 1999, Gujarat in India in 2001, and Pakistan in 2005. In all three earthquakes, the fertility rate increased significantly after the catastrophes. This increase was more pronounced in the survivors who stayed in the same earthquake-affected areas and also was significantly different compared to the neighboring areas that were not affected by the earthquake damage.²

The increase of sexual desire in these situations may be attributed, at least in part, to psychological alterations following crises. After great disasters, individuals often abandon modern civilization requirements and revert to a more primitive way of life. After experiencing these crises and facing death, people come to realize the shortness of their lives and value life more. Sex is life itself and a way to celebrate life. Sex is opposed to death.

In an article in the Los Angeles Times published after the September 11 disaster, some witnesses claimed that they experienced an increase in sexual desire. A female editor mentioned that she and her friends found themselves more inclined to engage in sexual activities, even with unfamiliar partners, as they sought comfort and security. This behavior was similar to the soldiers' feelings when forming new bonds before heading to the front lines.³

Also, many reports show that sexual violence, particularly against women and children, increases after social catastrophes. It is conceivable that the destruction of civilized social infrastructures creates conducive conditions for escalating criminal behaviors in some individuals. However, most of these criminal behaviors manifest as sexual violence against women and children. Throughout history, we have repeatedly witnessed conqueror armies committing sexual violence in occupied territories, even in recent years. In one of the deadly earthquakes in the city of Bam, Iran, there were observations made regarding sexual violence following the incident. The sexual crises that occurred after the earthquake, coupled with drug abuse, heightened the risk of HIV infection.⁴

Why may we resort to sex in crises?

There is no definitive answer as to whether sexuality, as an individual's response to trauma and stress, increases after a disaster. Some research and anecdotal evidence suggest that in certain situations, there may be an increase in sexual activity or expression following catastrophes or wars. However, as mentioned before, the recent pandemic presented contrary evidence. It is important to note that the impact of crises and war on individuals' sexuality can be complex and multifaceted.

One theory is that heightened stress and uncertainty can lead some individuals to seek comfort and connection through physical intimacy. In times of crisis, the need for human connection and emotional support may be amplified, leading to an increase in sexual activity as a means of seeking closeness.

Additionally, individuals may experience heightened motivation following frustration and stress. A study has shown that frustration can lead to increased dopamine signaling shown with neuroimaging methods. This study induced frustration in participants by performing tactile discrimination tasks after Braille reading training. The results indicated an increased dopamine release in the ventral striatum and basal ganglia in response to stress and annoyance. These findings explain that dopamine and the reward system are activated after crises and instill hope in individuals. Activation of the reward system motivates us toward goals such as money, food, sex, love, and even the pursuit of discoveries.⁵ Dopamine helps us survive after significant social or political failures and may manifest as an elevated libido. From an evolutionary perspective, this may be the secret to the endurance of nations throughout history.

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Natural catastrophes and bloody crises of humans during wars or political violent repressions, despite similarities, may have different socio-psychological causes. In the case of natural disasters, engaging in sexual desire may help to relieve posttraumatic stress disorder, alleviate the need for safety, or replace deceased individuals with new babies. However, in the case of political crises and wars, oppressed people may resort to sex as an action against dominant forces. In repressive regimes, clandestine sexual activity might serve as an act of civil disobedience and a political statement.