Sex, Sex, Sex, Sex Sexual Anatomy Sexual Practices & Pleasure Sexual Identity Sexual Politics

Language Rules Sexual Preference Lifestyle Choice

Female External Organs Clitoris Clitoris Mons pubis Mons pubis Inner lips Inner lips Outer lips Outer lips Vaginal opening Vaginal opening Organs collectively known as vulva Organs collectively known as vulva

Clitoris Sensitive organ important in female sexual response Sensitive organ important in female sexual response Tip - knob of tissue externally in front of vaginal opening and urethral opening Tip - knob of tissue externally in front of vaginal opening and urethral opening Shaft - consists of 2 corpora cavernosa Shaft - consists of 2 corpora cavernosa Crura - two longer spongy bodies that lie deep in body and run from tip to either side of vagina Crura - two longer spongy bodies that lie deep in body and run from tip to either side of vagina Why do women have a clitoris??? Why do women have a clitoris???

Female Internal Organs Vagina Vagina Uterus Uterus Ovaries Ovaries Fallopian tubes Fallopian tubes

Sexual Practices Talking about what people do

How are our desires, what we do sexually and how we see our sexual selves a consequence of socialization? Why, and how, is women’s sexual freedom and pleasure of importance? What is the connection between pleasure and patriarchy? How do society, culture and politics influence the treatment of sexual minorities? Sexuality & Society

Sexuality The biological, behavioral, and political practices surrounding sex and physical intimacy The biological, behavioral, and political practices surrounding sex and physical intimacy Sex: Why do it? Sex: Why do it? –Sexual desire is socially constructed Sex: How do we do it? Sex: How do we do it? –The politics of comprehensive sex education Sex: Violence through neglect Sex: Violence through neglect –The sexual/racial politics of HIV/AIDS

Assumptions about Sexuality Maleness & masculinity provide norms Maleness & masculinity provide norms Heteronormativity—heterosexual sexuality is the only normal expression of sexual intimacy Heteronormativity—heterosexual sexuality is the only normal expression of sexual intimacy Women’s sexuality is equated with reproduction Women’s sexuality is equated with reproduction Sexual activities occur in private Sexual activities occur in private

Sexual Scripts Provide individuals with guidelines for sexual behavior Sexual Scripts Provide individuals with guidelines for sexual behavior What are the limits and constraints of appropriate partners? What are the limits and constraints of appropriate partners? What acts are permissible to engage in? What acts are permissible to engage in? When is sex permissible? When is sex permissible? Where, setting or circumstance, can sex occur Where, setting or circumstance, can sex occur Why engage in sex? Why engage in sex?

Sexual Agency The ability to effectively communicate sexual desires, beliefs, and boundaries The ability to effectively communicate sexual desires, beliefs, and boundaries Related to how women see themselves and are seen in wider culture Related to how women see themselves and are seen in wider culture Impacts rates of sexual violence, pregnancy (& abortion), STI transmission and sexual satisfaction Impacts rates of sexual violence, pregnancy (& abortion), STI transmission and sexual satisfaction Acquired with sexual education and correlated with self-esteem and self-worth Acquired with sexual education and correlated with self-esteem and self-worth

Woman Centered Definition of Sexual Problems Discontent or dissatisfaction with any emotional, physical or relational aspect of sexual experience Discontent or dissatisfaction with any emotional, physical or relational aspect of sexual experience

Women’s Sexual Dysfunction: New Classifications Socio-cultural, political or economic problems Socio-cultural, political or economic problems Problems relating to partner & relationship Problems relating to partner & relationship Psychological factors Psychological factors Medical factors Medical factors

Female Sexual Satisfaction Education & body awareness Education & body awareness Appreciate diversity, realize norms are just numbers Appreciate diversity, realize norms are just numbers Focus on pleasure & sensuality, not orgasm Focus on pleasure & sensuality, not orgasm Look at whole life—political, economic, social & religious context Look at whole life—political, economic, social & religious context

Sexual Identity orientation, sexual behavior & diversity in sex acts How do society, culture and politics influence the treatment of sexual minorities?

Sexual Orientation Sexual orientation is a matter of the society’s sexual politics: the links between sexuality and other systems of oppression and privilege Sexual orientation is a matter of the society’s sexual politics: the links between sexuality and other systems of oppression and privilege Based on the sex and gender of the object of one’s desire Based on the sex and gender of the object of one’s desire Not fixed, but can be perceived as permanent or “natural” Not fixed, but can be perceived as permanent or “natural”

Women’s Sexual Orientation What is a lesbian? Who is a lesbian? What is a lesbian? Who is a lesbian? Kinsey Scale Kinsey Scale –Behavior & Fantasy –Social Behavior –Sexual Desire –Social Labeling –Sexual Behavior

Straight—Queer The LGBTQ continuum Queer—having a sexual orientation, sex, or gender identity or expression different from that acceptable in mainstream society. Not following heteronormative dictates. --In-group term Lesbian continuum: The idea that woman- identified experience can be anywhere on a spectrum

Heterosexism and Heteronormativity Heterosexuality is the norm and is natural Heterosexuality is the norm and is natural –people who do not fit this model are freaks Men and women are assumed to be heterosexual unless there is proof to the contrary Men and women are assumed to be heterosexual unless there is proof to the contrary Result is a push towards ideal of nuclear family, romantic love Result is a push towards ideal of nuclear family, romantic love

Sexual Politics Women’s Right to Bodily Integrity

History of Sex Work in US Pre WWI Pre WWI –Cult of Womanhood 1920s 1920s –Suffragist movement –United Nations Paper 1970s 1970s –Sexual Revolution

Sex Work Demographics & Statistics 84,000 to 2 million female sex workers in US 84,000 to 2 million female sex workers in US Decrease in prostitution, increase in other work Decrease in prostitution, increase in other work 4-10 year career 4-10 year career Greater risk for violence, STDs Greater risk for violence, STDs Single, single mothers Single, single mothers Smoke, alcohol, drug use Smoke, alcohol, drug use History of sexual & physical abuse History of sexual & physical abuse –Mental health Low SES Low SES Heterosexual, bisexual, homosexual Heterosexual, bisexual, homosexual

Juvenile Sex Work Demographics & Statistics 150,000 arrests per year 150,000 arrests per year Est. 600,000 juvenile sex workers Est. 600,000 juvenile sex workers 77% female 77% female 33-85% sexually & physically abused 33-85% sexually & physically abused Survival sex Survival sex Criminalized Criminalized

Types of Sex Work Streetwalkers & Call girls Streetwalkers & Call girls –Panderer vs. pimp vs. madam Exotic dancer/model Exotic dancer/model Adult industry actress Adult industry actress –Porn vs. erotica Dominatrix Dominatrix

Sex work vs. sex slavery International trafficking for sex, domestic work & marriage International trafficking for sex, domestic work & marriage –Recruitment –Working conditions –Sex Tourism Not nature of activity but conditions Not nature of activity but conditions –Forced labor in prostitution vs. forced prostitution Double & triple victimization Double & triple victimization

Sex Work & the law Legalization State regulation of sex business issue licenses, require adherence to health laws, collect taxes Decriminalization Repeal of all laws against the exchange of sex for gain among consenting adults