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Sexuality And Feminism

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Rashidian1
Roxanna Rashidian
Professor Nava-Coulter
Sexuality in Society
Sociology
Section paper 1
Women in the current society face a broad range of stereotypes. Culture and traditions
have subjected them to the submissive role concerning sexual practices. The empirical and
scientific evidence about the female anatomy has been treated dismissively, and this has allowed
men to dominate the discussion of sexual pleasure. Sigmund Freuds early views on human
sexuality, like many other early sexologists, categorized women as sexually passive. Although
we can acknowledge Freuds positive contribution to the world of psychology, it is evident that
his lack of understanding of the female anatomy and his willful ignorance towards the notion of
women sexuality has rendered his comments on this topic outdated and incorrect.
Female sexuality and change can be understood best regarding the stereotypes of a
submissive female partner and dominant male. The findings expressed in the writings of feminist
experts should be carefully analyzed and used to educate society. Anne Koedt, a radical
American feminist, wrote a feminist essay on women’s sexuality, ‘The Myth of the Vaginal
Orgasm,' with the aim of spreading awareness and educating society about female sexuality. Her
article played a vital role in the sexual revolution of feminist and illustrated how we should
redefine women’s sexuality and change the social norms surrounding sex.
Sex is a natural part of life that people often hesitate to discuss openly. Anne Koedts
article discusses the issue of “frigidity” that men have defined as the failure of women to have

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Rashidian2
vaginal orgasms. The misconception has made many women feel sexually inadequate while they
remain unfulfilled. Just as many feminists have placed this article alongside their personal
experiences at the center of discussion shows how relevant the article is. It makes women
understand the issue of exploration of pleasure and sexuality. Women have been subjected to
roles like childbearing that Freud emphasizes in his argument of women as being passive. The
article tries to rule out the idea that Durkheim has on the structure of sexuality. Durkheim, on the
differential nature of women and men, argues that women are the weaker sex, with mental and
moral weakness (Lehmann). Women and men have been considered unequal in the society. Marx
and Engles highlighted their argument in the issue of capitalism and oppression that women’s
subordination is highly associated with social relations. They argue that there is the
institutionalization of the efforts made by men to control women’s labor as well as sexual
faculties. Ann’s article helps develop an understanding of the argument with the emphasis on the
recognition of female sexuality.
Freud’s work has undergone frequent criticism for the fact that he did not understand
women. His theory was oriented towards men, and at some point in his life, he acknowledged
that he lacked a critical and concise understanding of the female psyche. Although Freud’s
perspective of sexuality is understandable, it is problematic in that; it marginalizes female
sexuality. He believed that women are sexually passive and that they only engage in sex to have
children. It is evident from his theories that he was ignorant of female sexuality and how it
differs from male sexuality. Karen Horney, a psychoanalyst, criticized Freudian theory of the
penis envy and in his response to the criticism, he wrote that “we shall not be very greatly
surprised if a woman analyst, who has not been sufficiently convinced of the intensity of her
wish for a penis, also fails to attach the proper importance to the factor in his patients”(Schultz &

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Rashidian1 Roxanna Rashidian Professor Nava-Coulter Sexuality in Society Sociology Section paper 1 Women in the current society face a broad range of stereotypes. Culture and traditions have subjected them to the submissive role concerning sexual practices. The empirical and scientific evidence about the female anatomy has been treated dismissively, and this has allowed men to dominate the discussion of sexual pleasure. Sigmund Freud’s early views on human sexuality, like many other early sexologists, categorized women as sexually passive. Although we can acknowledge Freud’s positive contribution to the world of psychology, it is evident that his lack of understanding of the female anatomy and his willful ignorance towards the notion of women sexuality has rendered his comments on this topic outdated and incorrect. Female sexuality and change can be understood best regarding the stereotypes of a submissive female partner and dominant male. The findings expressed in the writings of feminist experts should be carefully analyzed and used to educate society. Anne Koedt, a radical American feminist, wrote a feminist essay on women’s sexuality, ‘The Myth of the Vaginal Orgasm,' ...
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