Sunday, February 24, 2008
Frigid or Just Tired of Faking Sexual Arousal?
Why is that the first scholars to describe the sexual sensitivity of women were men? A man who has a completely different biological make-up than a woman. A man who is aware of his power as a man, who then uses it to justify social, economic, and even sexual factors to ensure that he remains as the superior figure. Anne Koedt and Adriene Rich's articles go hand in hand. The characteristics of male power that Rich used to describe the power of men are all contributory to the Myth of the Vaginal Orgasm. The first characteristic to deny women their own sexuality, this denial creates the notion of the abscence of a clitoris. This is made evident in the "frigidity" of women. Hence, the creation of the vagainal orgasm. Instead of realizing the highly sensistive area of the clitoris, the male is content with this penis rubbing the vaginal walls of a woman because this is where his penis is most comfortable. The mosit, wet, encompassing walls around his penis create sexual arousal for him again and again. While his partner is supposed to fake a sexual arousal and maybe even orgasm. Her acting does not help the situation because this only makes him think that they are both being pleased. Perhaps if he found out that they really weren't being pleased, this would disrupt the masculine nature of his ego. An ego shattered might mean that now the woman has to suffer from the force of his male sexuality upon her, which is the second characteristic of male power that Rich points out. But because he does not take the time to figure our his partner's body and what makes her toes curl, he places of his frustration, energy, and arousal into beating her brains out through what I call rape. It is not violent sex that is wanted, rather it violent sex to make a point or to achieve something. Get into a woman's mind. Sex is not purely physical. This is something that Koedt makes clear with her example that some women can achieve an orgasm through sexual fantasies or fetishes. This indicates that the sentiments start in the mind, the psyche. In essence, the arousal is physical and a woman is able to reach a sexual climax. But the problem is woman have been defined in sexual terms. Not necessarily by body type, shape, etc., but instead how they can, in fact, please a man. As a result of this, a vaginal orgasm is created to uphold the egos of man who pry on women to feel powerful and in control. This then leaves women in a subordinate position. Left used, abused, mistreated all in the name of satisfying a man, who does not take the time to get to know her body. Rather, everything is "rush-rush," in the midst of all of this "sexual eruption" the clitoris is left lonely, untouched, and perhaps even dry. It is not only the myth of the vaginal orgasm that has to be destroyed, but also the implication of masculinity. Masculinity and all that it encompasses holds up this notion of a vaginal orgasm. This is why women who are fired are crazy and need psychiatric help, so says Freud anyway. But do we really think that will ever happen? Of course not because our lovely clitoris poses a threat to masculinity. A threat to masculinity would disrupt the patriarchal society that we live in. The masculinist forces would never let that happen. American as a matriarchal society would be nice, huh? But it seems like just a dream now.
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1 comment:
Well said Spelman sister. Well said. I am unsure if you have had a chance to read my post, but it is very similar to yours. Women's sexual freedom (or realization of their sexuality that may lead to sexual freedom) is threatening to men. It seems unfair but it seems our society is unfamiliar with the concept of equality. Only one person can be on top. Only one person can dominate. If one is dominating it is the result of another’s submission to that dominance. Women very well understand the anatomy of men (cause it’s impossible for them to fake an orgasm), and often pride themselves on their ability to satisfy their partners sexually. Even if their partners fail t provide them with the same satisfaction. Why do we do that? Guess that’s why so many “girls have girl friends”.
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