Feminism and Sex | Suite101.com

Research indicates changes in intimate relationships between women and men since the 1960's sexual revolution. According to Lillian Rubin, young women and adolescents are more assertive about their sexual desires than ever before. Young women account for 50% of sexual initiations, and engage in much more varied sexual behaviours than previous generations. So, has radical feminism been successful in bringing equality into the bedroom? Research speaks a resounding 'no'. While sexual initiation is equally split between the sexes, women still take more responsibility for 'pleasing' their partner than men. According to Braun, Gavey and McPhillips (2003), reciprocity in bed is far from common. While women's sexual repertoire has expanded to include more frequent oral sex, for example, men's bedroom activities have remained relatively unchanged. It seems that intimate encounters between men and women continue to be an arena for social change.

Mar 29, 2006 2:50 PM

Tom J. Donohue :

Women need to be more self-assertive to ensure that their sexual needs are being gratified. They should insist that future sexual encounters with partners will not take place unless there is reciprocity. All relationships, even intimate sexual relationships, should be based on fairness. Women have a right to experience the beauty of an orgasm.

There is one additional point, however. Women should not assume that men know how to pleasure you. Even in this day and age, in which there exists a plethora of educational resources on sexuality, many men still remain ignorant concerning the basics facts of feminine sexuality. For example, they assume that a woman's vagina is the central locus for arousing a woman, rather than her clitoris.

Therefore, it is encumbant on women to educate their partners as to the basics facts concerning their feminine anatomy. To men who are fair-minded and sensitive, this type of communication and self-assertiveness will be appreciated.