Dear Perplexed,
Very often, deeply held misunderstandings or fears can be attributed to folk beliefs, legends, and customs. Whether we realize it or not, folklore and customs are part of every single person's life, regardless of one's background. Although we may laugh or scoff, behavior, reaction to events, and attitudes can often be associated with folklore.
Jokes, stories, songs, riddles, games, cures, and holiday customs are overflowing with folklore. We see this in jumping rope rhymes and customs such as blowing out candles on a birthday cake, knocking on wood, avoiding walking under a ladder, Easter eggs, matzo balls, etc. "Old Wives Tales" often tell of creating the sex of a child by certain specific sex activities. There are many tales about determining the sex of an unborn baby. Superstitions about sex have always flourished in folklore, and the association with trinkets, potions, foods, witchcraft, and curses has always held fascination for people.
Many folklore rituals are still being practiced today, such as fertility rites, rites of passage and circumcision. Of course, we've all heard of chastity belts. During biblical times, however, adultery was not so much a sin against morality as it was a trespass against the husband's property, which included their woman. Many of the attitudes toward sexual activity and the role of women came from this assumption, including marriage vows. A husband in biblical times had the freedom to practice adultery, but a wife could be put to death for the same thing.
Sex was considered bound with life and death. Religious authorities said that sex other than for procreation was dangerous, sinful and evil and would lead to illness and insanity. Saint Augustine wrote, "Love your wives, but love them chastely. Practice the carnal act only in the measure necessary for the conception of children. If it happens that you do not want to have children, you must, even though with reluctance, abstain from sex." It was stressed that the sins of sex were the worst of all offenses. Even the great philosopher, Aristotle wrote that while sex was nothing to be feared, overindulgence was harmful and could destroy the sight, dry the body, impair the brain, and cause fever. That it shortens life, he said, is evident in the sparrow, which by reason of its often coupling, lives only three years. Hippocrates noted that the lack of baldness in women was due to the fact that they were not sexually hot blooded like men, but were cold and moist. That, he said, explains why blind men were not naturally bald since their hair got the moisture that normally would have gone to their eyes.