Essential human needs

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I have tried this question various times and places, but I'm still interested in peoples' opinions...

I reckon that there are only three essential human needs, and they are as follows:-

1. Food (& drink)
2. Shelter (includes heating, clothing)
3. Sex

There are countless magazines, TV programmes and sources of advice dedicated to each of the three, but number three (sex) is always under plain cover. Why is it so acceptable to compare our homes and our recipes, but totally unacceptable to share the finer details of our sexual tastes?

Some people find some sexual things gross, that's why. This is true to a lesser extent with food, as well - so I don't discuss meat dishes with vegetarian friends.

Essential human needs should not be a privilege, but from what I observe some people tend to disagree with that. That said not so sure sex is an essential human need per say and due to the personal nature of it two people have to agree to indulge in that someone can't just decide they need sex and demand people give it to them.

But food, water, access to medical care, shelter and such things would be more in the category of essential human needs.

I don't think sex is an essential human need on a level with physical sustenance and shelter and, as noted, medical provision. If you're going to rope it in as one, then along (or even before) it you need to bring in friendship, companionship, love.

What do you suppose such an attitude to the 'finer details' of sex would look like?

And people do compare their sex lives. I have had the misfortune to overhear such conversations.

I'd add access to inebriants to that list. Sincerely.

Getting out of ones head is sometimes far more important that sustenance, shelter, or company.

Basic human needs aren't unfortunately basic entitlements, I'm of the opinion that everyone is entitled to the food and shelter bit though.

Food
Shelter
Love
Sex
Meaning
Self-actualization

Fair to note that people can argue that one can't claim sex as an entitlement between two people but it can just as easily be one, three, or more. It's not necessarily dirty either (well, perhaps messy at times) and can be a transcendental experience in all cases if handled with proper respect. A good rule of thumb perhaps - if a thing feels sacred and divine, treat it in that esteem.

This one (The Maslow hierarchy of needs) appears to be widely used even to this day:



However, the Maslow pyramid has been criticised for assuming that the ranking of needs is the same across cultures.

And as Pobbles said, needs ≠ entitlements.

It would perhaps be more prudent to use "wants" than "needs", as the latter usually has normative connotations.

frankly I am stunned that sex could register as a 'need' on any chart of needs, pyramid or otherwise.

Origen and Tesla thought that way too.

how is sex a basic need is beyond me. maybe for men