In today's society, there is an imbalance of power between the genders. Although this has changed greatly from how it once was, in many cases, men are still the powerful working figures that bring home the money, and woman are the docile creatures cooking supper in the kitchen. However, sometimes in the bedroom, these perceived roles are reversed. And women find themselves being criticized for it.
Sadomasochism, is the sexual practice of using pain and humiliation to heighten sexual pleasure. In "Maid to Order: Commercial Fetishism and Gender Power", author Anne McClintock analyzes people's point of view on strong, empowered women in the bedroom. Why are women who express themselves sexually treated with disrespect, yet men do not get the same negative attention? "In the intercourse of the sexes, the active or aggressive role belongs to man; woman remains passive, defense. It affords man great pleasure to win a woman, to conquer her" (McClintock, 89). In Richard Krafft-Ebing's text, "Psychopathia Sexualis", the author explains various forms of sadomasochism, how the men actually want to be dominated by the woman.
Although a lot of society views sadomasochism as a perversion, it is in reality a way of expressing oneself sexually. Wanting to be dominated, or to be the dominator, is no reason to feel ashamed, or alienated. Even though the topic itself is often taboo, sadism and masochism in the bedroom are nothing new to society. Women should not be criticized for being free-spirited and expressing themselves.
Sadomasochism is probably viewed as a perversion because it is a detail/element in the talk of sex. Although women may be dominate in bed our culture as stated see's women talking about dominating in bed as a 'taboo' and not totally accepted.
ReplyDeleteIt is a shame that women are viewed as perverse if they wish to take a dominant role(no matter the subject matter) although this is an important issue, it seems that people are struggling to find a solution.
ReplyDeleteSo is this dominance aspect a form of slavery. I don't think that sadomasochisim is unfortunately going to be acceptable in many societies for a long time. People view it as a "weird" fetish. However I think it's perfectly fine for people to enjoy dominating and being dominant it is still viewed as a social more or taboo to perform in such acts . How do we changes peoples views?
ReplyDeleteI know why this this taboo, it deals with sex, but women should not be viewed as perverse because of this. What someone decides to do sexually in private is no one's business, but those involved. As long as the partners involved are consenting adults, no one has the right to judge someone else's sexual expression.
ReplyDeleteI would agrue that it is not just sadomasochism that is stigmatized in our culture, but womens sexuality in general. From what I have observed women are usually put into two catagories; prudes or sluts. There is no in between. I think to remove the taboo from sadomasochism, we must first accept women as sexual beings.
ReplyDelete