Final answer:
The idea that sexual behavior is random is false; sexual behavior is structured and influenced by societal norms, cultural values, and socialization via various institutions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that sexual behavior is essentially random in some societies is false. Sexual behavior and attitudes are profoundly influenced by cultural norms, values of the society, and socialization processes involving family, education, peers, media, and religion.
For example, societies value different aspects such as monogamy, premarital sex, and sexual consent differently, which shapes the sexual behaviors considered 'normal' or acceptable within those societies. Sexual norms, including the incest taboo, shared among many societies, demonstrate how some behaviors are regulated across cultures, proving that sexual behavior is not random.
Even within individual societies, attitudes towards sexuality can widely vary, as seen in studies showing diverse responses to topics like premarital sex and homosexuality within Spain, or different attitudes between Scandinavian students and U.S. students. Social systems of sexuality are reinforced by teaching and reactions from individuals and institutions within the society, showing a structure to sexual behavior rather than randomness.