The Principles of Human Sexuality go beyond scientific data, psychoanalytic research, or survey data. Human sexuality is a topic within its world and is a juxtaposition of different cultural emotions, attitudes, and behaviors. However, despite the diversity among various groups within American culture, there are similar attitudes and behaviors that everyone relates to on some level. Erotic dreams or fantasies are something that everyone experiences, to some extent, some more often than others. Homophobia is still a current problem and unfortunately exists in all ethnic groups. Additionally, most relationships require effective communication to have a lasting marriage. The movie American Beauty sheds light on some of the problems related to these topics and paints a not-so-pretty picture for people who have difficulty disclosing such problems. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essayIn this exposition, the film American Beauty will be analyzed and classified into these three topics also addressed in the text, Our Sexuality. A textbook that contains information regarding human sexual behaviors. The issues that will be discussed in this research are covered in chapters five, seven and eight: chapter 5 addresses gender issues, chapter 7 discusses love and communication in intimate relationships and chapter 8 highlights sexual behaviors (dreams erotic, etc.). It is important to note that the film American Beauty is not a chick flick or a romance film of any kind. The film is a psychological film that contains graphic images (and may contain sensitive material for some viewers) and is intended to make the viewer feel nervous. The film was released at a time when men and women were beginning to express their sexuality, so some scenes in the film may still be too "mainstream" for some viewers. But, without further ado, this exploration may now run its course. Principles of Human Sexuality: American Beauty The film American Beauty is a 1999 film directed by Sam Mendes. The film portrays several concepts of sexuality discussed in the text, Our Sexuality, and issues that everyone encounters at some point in their lives. The film is about a country father, Lester Burnham, who is obsessed with his teenage daughter's friend, Angela Hayes. He begins to have sensual dreams and fantasize about her; which is a topic discussed in Chapter 8: Sexual Behaviors. Lester also has unresolved complications in his marriage that create sexual tension and lead to a toxic marriage with his wife Carolyn. Their marriage is best classified in Chapter 7: Communication. Suggestive dreams (or erotic dreams), homophobia, love and communication are three ideas outlined in the film that will be discussed in this investigation. This exposition will attempt to validate their accuracy by referencing the film and content featured in Our Sexuality. The film is like watching softcore porn, which may be one reason why people admitted to feeling uncomfortable while watching it. Or perhaps it's the recurring themes mentioned above regarding certain sexual behaviors and attitudes. The topic of sexual fantasies has been demonstrated a lot. You could say it was the underlying theme of the entire film. He appeared in the scene where Lester caught the attention of his daughter's friend, Angela, during the cheerleading dance and in a split second began pining for her; and the scene where his daughter invites Angela over and stumbles over her words also shows coveting behavior. The scene where Lester was sleeping with herwife Carolyn and started masturbating according to her sexual fantasy with Angela is another noteworthy scene. These three scenes stand out the most because people can identify with this type of behavior but may only subconsciously admit their guilt. It's not something people are willing to share or discuss openly, but it's what most would call "normal" behavior behind closed doors. Erotic dreams, which occur during sleep, are a “sexual encounter that occurs in one's mind” (Crooks & Baur, 2014) . These psychological images come from need and are fueled by one's imagination or life experience. Erotic fantasies are the equivalent, however these present themselves as fantasies, intensified by sexual experiences. Both assist during masturbation and are "sources of pleasure and excitement". In the first part of the film Lester, it seems that the hero dreams of Angela. Forty-two minutes into the film, we see Lester having a suggestive dream, from which he is awoken by his significant other, Carolyn, because she caught him masturbating. It might be worth mentioning that Lester and his significant other are failing in their marriage. This will be covered later as the third topic of conversation: love and communication. However, before addressing communication issues in relationships it is important to note the sexual deprivation that Lester experienced in his marriage to Carolyn. The journal "Sexual Desire, Not Hypersexuality, Predicts Self-Regulation of Sexual Arousal" by Maxwell Moholy, discusses how an individual's ability to control their sexual desires is assisted by close contact with their spouse (in this case Carolyn ) or by a sound discharge. . When none of these forms of sexual release are met, it can lead to clinical mental complications, sexual frustration, and social or occupational inability. The diagnosis for this is called hypersexual disorder. This causes an individual to fixate on his erotic fantasies or activities that may interfere with his daily routine. It is important to note that throughout American Beauty, Lester did not achieve orgasm through sexual pleasure. His wants or needs were not being met in his marriage and the likelihood of him developing hypersexual disorder was high. In the film, hypersexual disorder is not the only disorder suggested. Unlike hypersexual disorder, which can probably be treated, homophobia cannot. Homophobia is a hostile feeling – or a strong feeling of disgust, or in other words hatred – directed at members of the gay community. Crooks and Baur describe homophobia as “fear of the possibility of homosexuality in oneself and disgust at one's own homosexuality.” Homophobia was a repetitive topic in the film with a specific character as the main protagonist, Colonel Frank. On four separate occasions in the film, he makes solid homophobic comments about his neighbors. One scene is when two gay men ring his doorbell and he answers. The two men are there to welcome him to the neighborhood, but Frank soon discovers that they are a couple. A scene he finds unpleasant. In the fifth upset, he gets viciously physical with his son, Ricky, who he suspects of performing Fellatio on Lester. Finally, Frank is so annoyed and confused that he walks over to Lester and grabs him, followed by a kiss (hooray). Frank's behavior after kissing Lester reveals his disorder about his sexuality. This scene is an accurate portrayal of what homophobia is characterized by Crooks and Baur. There are many cases where people find themselves struggling with their sexuality due to social pressures. Alan Turing - the famous World War II Enigma code breaker.