Discussion Leading

Alexandria Bergeron

Jeannina Perez

2/16/10

Discussion Leading Abstract

WST 3015

The idea of women embrasing their sexuality is a new idea

Kirk, Gwyn/ Okazawa-Rey, Margo. "Chapter 4: Women's Sexuality"

Women's Lives: Multicultural Perspectives. 5. (2010): 149

This chapter focuses on the ideals of women's sexuality, the movement to embrace it, and the struggles of breaking free from the traditional roles women in the realm of sex. The discussion focuses on the changing mind set that women are non sexual beings. For countless years the norm has been that man and women come together in intercourse, that women should be pure but submissive to all that is desired of them, and that pleasure being sought out with sex by women was not acceptable.

With the creation of such things as birth control and other contraception women are under going a transformation as to how they embrace the world of sex. For many however the act itself is still ruled by patriarchal ideals and racial/ ageism stereotypes. The world of advertising plays into these thoughts through images of young, attractive, innocent looking women selling the "dream" of sex through product promotions. Young adults and teens are learning to act as pure "virgins" by engaging in sex play as a way of being sexually empowered. This empowerment comes at a cost. Though sexual freedom and expression is pushing forward, education on the subject of sex is still being held back in programs at schools and in communities. The idea of abstinence and traditional heterosexual marriage are the only federally aided education programs offered. This lack of knowledge not only leads to an increase in teen pregnancy but also in an increase in sexually transmitted diseases as

The chapter also continues on with the idea of gender binaries and how they limit the world of sexuality. The Idea of two opposites monopolizing areas such as gender, and sexual preference are to close minded for this growing society. Bisexuals (which many women fall under) and intersexual/ transgender persons are excluded from this system which creates even more oppressive actions and prejudices to form.

With empowerment comes vulnerability. Sexual violence, rape and battery grow hand in hand with the world sexuality.These issues have caused for a split in feminist opinion on how this "revolution" should be approached and has lead to heated debate as to whether or not restrictions would be beneficial to women or if restrictions on the sexual freedom would encroach on there sexual freedom and identity. Questions also come as to why women are heterosexual especial do to the fact the other women play such important roles in our lives earlier and more often then men.

Critical thinking question: Do these sterotypes effect how we view ourselves or effect how we act as individuals when it comes to the topic of sex? Do you feel like you have to live up these expectations set for each "group"?

Critical Thinking Question: At what point in youth do we start being exposed to the idea that men and women are the sexual norm in society?