Sex-positive movement

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

"Sex positive" redirects here. For other uses, see Sex Positive (disambiguation).

The sex-positive movement is a

consensual sex (free from violence or coercion). It covers every aspect of sexual identity including gender expression, orientation, relationship to the body (body-positivity, nudity, choice), relationship-style choice, and reproductive rights.[1][unreliable source?][2] Sex-positivity is "an attitude towards human sexuality that regards all consensual sexual activities as fundamentally healthy and pleasurable, encouraging sexual pleasure and experimentation."[1] It challenges societal taboos and aims to promote healthy and consensual sexual activities.[3] The sex-positive movement also advocates for comprehensive sex education and safe sex as part of its campaign.[4][1] The movement generally makes no moral distinctions among types of sexual activities, regarding these choices as matters of personal preference.[5]

Overview

The terms and concepts of sex-positive (German: sexuell positiv) (or, alternately sex-affirmative (sexuell bejahend)) and

repress and control libido.[6] Other terms used to describe this concept include pro-sex or pro-sexuality.[6][7]

The sex-positive movement does not, in general, make moral or ethical distinctions between

homosexual sex, or masturbation, regarding these choices as matters of personal preference.[8] Other sex-positive positions include acceptance of BDSM and polyamory as well as asexuality.[8]

Some sex-positive theorists have analyzed sex-positivity in terms of the intersection of race/culture, gender, sexuality, class, nationality, and spirituality.[8] Because of the vastness of the sex-positivity movement, it has been challenging for people to reach an agreed-upon definition of the term "sex-positivity".[8] Several definitions of sex-positivity have been offered by sexologist Carol Queen:

Sex-positive, a term that's coming into cultural awareness, isn't a dippy love-child celebration of orgone – it's a simple yet radical affirmation that we each grow our own passions on a different medium, that instead of having two or three or even half a dozen sexual orientations, we should be thinking in terms of millions. "Sex-positive" respects each of our unique sexual profiles, even as we acknowledge that some of us have been damaged by a culture that tries to eradicate sexual differences and possibilities.[9]

It's the cultural philosophy that understands sexuality as a potentially positive force in one's life, and it can, of course, be contrasted with sex-negativity, which sees sex as problematic, disruptive, and dangerous. Sex-positivity allows for and in fact celebrates sexual diversity, differing desires and relationships structures, and individual choices based on consent.[10]

History

Main articles:
1960s counterculture, Free love, and Sexual revolution

In general use, the term

Freud's writing on sexual liberation and psychosexual issues, as well as Wilhelm Reich, who originally coined the term.[6]

During the 1960s, a shift in the ways people thought about sexuality began to take place, heralding a period of de-conditioning in some circles away from old world antecedents, and developing new codes of sexual behavior, many of which have since been integrated into the mainstream.[12]

The 1960s also heralded a new culture of "free love" with millions of young people embracing the hippie ethos and preaching the power of love and the beauty of sex as a natural part of ordinary life. Hippies believed that sex and sexuality were natural biological phenomena that should be neither denied nor repressed. Changes in attitudes reflected a perception that traditional views on sexuality were both hypocritical and male-chauvinistic.

Sexual liberalization heralded a new ethos in experimenting with open sex in and outside of marriage,

public nudity, gay liberation, legalized abortion, interracial marriage, a return to natural childbirth, women's rights, and feminism
.

Historian David Allyn argues that the sexual revolution was a time of "coming-out": about premarital sex, masturbation, erotic fantasies, pornography use, and sexuality.[11]

The term sex-positive first came into use in the United States in the late 1990s with the founding of the Center for Sex and Culture in San Francisco, California, and The Center for Sex Positive Culture in Seattle, Washington. In 2009, Sex Positive World began in Portland, Oregon. As of 2019, there are more than sixteen chapters of the nonprofit, in five countries.[citation needed]

Sex-positive feminism

Main article: Sex-positive feminism

Sex-positive feminism, also known as pro-sex feminism, sex-radical feminism, or sexually liberal feminism, is a movement that began in the early 1980s. In the 1970s, the

antiporn viewpoints.[13]

Some became involved in the sex-positive feminist movement in response to efforts by

Feminist Sex Wars". Other sex-positive feminists became involved, not in opposition to other feminists, but in direct response to what they saw as patriarchal control of sexuality. Some authors who have advocated sex-positive feminism include Erika Lust, Ellen Willis, Susie Bright, Patrick Califia, Gayle Rubin, Carol Queen, Avedon Carol, Tristan Taormino, Diana Cage, Nina Hartley, Amia Srinivasan, Mireille Miller-Young, and Betty Dodson
.

Sex-positive feminism gives attention and acknowledges the importance of women's right to explore their bodies, sexual desire, and considers that sexual violence does not have to prevent the vindication of female desire.[15] This movement demands the preservation of freedom and is against norms that are present in the sexual sphere. It also encourages and demands respect for variety and sexual dissidence without allowing itself to be harmed by intense anti-sex pressure from critics.[15]

Sex-positive feminism affirms that the discourse on women's sexual pleasure is silenced and marginalized in today's world.[16] Suppressing sexual dialogue with the supposed purpose of protecting women will only make them appear, according to this perspective, as the weaker sex. Women could have difficulty defending themselves with the classification as victims.[17] Over time, women have been classified as sexually passive, while men are recognized as sexually aggressive, so intercourse is considered an activity in which women "submit" to men's desire.[18] Another factor that continues to minimize female desire is the lack of consensus and research on it, a product of the social repression that women have had to endure over the centuries, which has led to prejudices and generalizations.[15]

Freudian beliefs asserting that women were capable to experiencing sexual pleasure independently, without the need for intercourse.[19][20][21] However, Hite faced antifeminist backlash due to her statistical methods of collecting data, demonstrating bias, and therefore the book became largely controversial and threatening to certain parties of men.[22]

The sexual hierarchy system places

procreation at the top, which causes many women to fear the sexual system that predominates in today's world.[23] Pleasure and sexuality are human rights that have been subjugated by an old-fashioned patriarchal social construction.[24] Pro-sex feminism endeavors to cultivate sexuality as a site of political resistance. By using the "pleasure" factor in their favor, a significant contribution to the contemporary queer theory and politics has been made by using sexual and feminist "empowerment."[25]

Empowering perspectives

Sex-positive education for youth

The sex-positive movement is also concerned with the teaching of comprehensive and accurate sex education in schools.[4] Programs such as the "Abstinence Education Grant Program (AEGP)" teach abstinence as the healthy way to approach one's sexual desires and to avoid sexually transmitted infections such as HIV/AIDS.[26] However, in May 2021, The Real Education and Access for Healthy Youth Act (REAHYA) introduced federal grants aimed to encompass truthful, and inclusive sex education for the youth. It seeks to put an end to federal funding for the Title V state grant program, which promotes the abstinence-until-marriage ideology, which could be detrimental for early education.[27] The A-H guidelines from Title V of the Social Security Act convey a distinct perspective that places the notion that engaging in sexual activity exclusively within the context of marriage is the only acceptable behavior (excluding LGBT individuals), supporting the abstinence-only-until-marriage programs.[28] The movement seeks to promote a healthier view for youth to understand the open, honest, non-judgemental, accepting approach to learning and teaching about sex positivity.[29]

Sex work industry

The

state regulations, making the rights of sex workers fundamental human rights
.

Sex workers require protection against

unionized. They all agree that the power dynamics inherent in the social constructs of gender, race, class, age, sexuality, and nationality generate economical conditions that force sex workers to operate and make a living within violently patriarchal and capitalist frameworks.[30]

Consent culture

Sex-positive movement emphasizes and supports the importance of consent in sexual encounters. Consent is the first and most basic form of respect between people when engaging in sexual activities. The negotiation and form of communication when discussing consent is the most important aspect when promoting healthy sexual relationships. Consent culture promotes affirmative consent, encourages enthusiastic consent, and the importance of consent education to foster healthy and respectful sexual relations. Consent gives a way to articulate and legitimize our moral judgments in public.[31]

Affirmative consent describes the explicit, informed, and voluntary assent to engage in sexual behavior. Anyone engaging in sexual interactions is responsible for making sure that the other party or parties have given their direct consent without hesitation. Absence of protest, words, or action does not mean consent, and silence will never be a form of consent. There should be no expectation of protest or opposition.[32]

A positive expression of consent is the main focus of enthusiastic consent. Invoking enthusiastic consent entails focusing on the presence of a "yes" as opposed to the absence of a "no." It can be communicated vocally or nonverbally using encouraging

smiling, as examples of body language. It is significant to remember that while these may imply consent, they do not represent explicit affirmative consent, always get verbal confirmation. The key to maintaining a healthy sexual relationship and consent is to regularly check in with one's partner or partners to make sure they are comfortable and that their opinions have not changed.[33]

Intersectionality

inclusiveness, regardless of social categories of gender, class, race, and sexuality. It lacks the inclusion of race and ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, and status. The sex-positive movement strives to move towards incorporating cultural diversity, and taking into account the variety in sexual practices as well as sexual minorities and other marginalized or oppressed identities. Positive sexuality compasses the well-being and happiness of an individual, individuality in sexuality, embracing multiple ways of knowing and learning, professional ethics, open and honest communication, peacemaking, while being applicable to all levels of social structure
.

Sex-positivity was established and rooted from a Western perspective. Much of the current sex-positive frameworks is concentrated on the educated, industrialized, prosperous, and democratic populations, neglecting the idea of intersectionality and marginalized groups.[34][35]

Criticism

In opposition, some feminists[

mental illness).[37]

Multiple feminists, such as Verkerk, Glick, and Bauer have criticized iterations of sex-positivity due to concerns about its effectiveness in challenging patriarchal norms.[38][39][40] These feminists insist they are "sex-critical" rather than "sex-negative".[41] Scholar, Verkerk, acknowledges this by stating that "there are both harmful and liberating aspects of female sexual objectification and an accurate account of it must consider both".[42] Critics also take issue with the commodification of sexuality. Women are told both to invest in western standards of beauty and sexualization while also becoming "consumable objects themselves."[38] Sex-positive feminism has also been criticized for its emphasis on defeating the patriarchal gender norms through personal life choices, "rather than to dismantle, critique, expose, or challenge systematic discrimination and violence."[43]

SlutWalk DC 2012

The SlutWalk has received criticism of its efficacy as an activist event. SlutWalk's purpose was to reclaim the word "slut" and counteract victim-blaming.[44] Despite the aim of the slut-walk, critics point out that the word "slut" had not been reclaimed.[45] Rather, the word slut had become reified.[45] Critics of the SlutWalk also suggest that the focus on revealing clothing "ultimately displace[s] the sombre and deadly issues of rape, domestic violence, sexual abuse, and street harassment."[45] Lastly, the SlutWalk received criticism for lack of consideration of the hyper-sexualization that women of colour face.[46] Black Women's Blueprint penned an open letter to the slut-walk explaining that Black women cannot "afford to label" themselves as those in the slut-walk do.

In the 21st century

Since the early 2000s, the sex-positivity movement has continued to move closer into the mainstream.

kink-shaming have all been challenged by the sex-positivity movement in an effort to allow all people to feel supported by and included in the movement.[48]

Online sex-positive communities

Platforms such as

better source needed][50]

male escorts has also increased due to the preference for the privacy and anonymity that cybersex offers as an online service. This has benefited the male sex industry, especially for gay social spaces that often feel discomforting in traditional settings.[51]

Mainstream media

Pop culture has also played a large role in bringing the sex-positivity movement into the mainstream. Celebrities, including Lady Gaga, Amber Rose, Jessica Biel, Cameron Diaz, Taylor Swift and many others, have spoken publicly about their experiences with slut-shaming, sexuality, sexual assault, body acceptance and overall sexual health and responsibility.[52][53]

In recent years, sex-positive concepts have found their way into dance clubs through sex-positive parties in cities like Berlin and Vienna.[54] Sex-positive podcasts like You Came First With Meghan Barton Hanson, Sex with Emily, Sexology, along with social media content on platforms like TikTok and YouTube, have been increasingly popular, attracting and specifically targeting a younger audience who engage in open discussions and fosters conversations about being sex-positive and personal sexual experiences.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "A Sex Positive Renaissance". Allena Gabosch. 8 December 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Sex Positivity". Women and Gender Advocacy Center. Colorado State University. Archived from the original on 13 June 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  3. ^ "Why The Sex Positivity Movement Has A Long Way To Go". lappthebrand. 16 August 2018. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
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  8. ^
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  10. ^ Queen, Carol; Comella, Lynn (2008). "The Necessary Revolution: Sex-Positive Feminism in the Post-Barnard Era". The Communication Review. 11 (3): 274–291. doi:10.1080/10714420802306783.
  11. ^
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  12. ^ Time. 1967.
  13. ^ a b MasterClass (11 October 2022). "Sex-Positive Feminism: 5 Notable Sex-Positive Feminists". MasterClass. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  14. ^ McElroy, W (2002). Liberty for Women: Freedom and Feminism in the Twenty-First Century. Chicago.
  15. ^ a b c Rodriquez, M.J.M. (2005). "EL FEMINISMO "PRO-SEXO" O ANTI-CENSURA: UNA LECTURA SEXOLÓGICA". Anuario de sexología: 18.
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  20. ^ "The Official Website of Shere Hite". www.hiteresearchfoundation.org. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  21. ^ "The Hite Report: A Nationwide Study of Female Sexuality"
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  25. ^ Neill, Emily Rider (20 May 2019). "Troubling the Body: A Feminist Critique of Corporeal Politics": 27–28. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  26. ^ Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program. State Abstinence Education Grant Program; Fact Sheet. Family & Youth Services Bureau, 2018-07.https://esteemjourney.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/State-Abstinenece-Education-Grants.pdf
  27. ^ Diamondstein, Megan (26 May 2021). "Federal Bill Would Promote Youth Sex Education in U.S." Center for Reproductive Rights. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
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  29. ^ "What is sex positivity?". School of Sexuality Education. 4 November 2019. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  30. ^ "Introduction to Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies - L. Ayu Saraswati; Barbara L. Shaw; Heather Rellihan - Oxford University Press; Sex Work as Labor". global.oup.com. p. 197. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
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  33. ^ "What Consent Looks Like | RAINN". www.rainn.org. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
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  53. ^ "These 9 Sex-Positive Women Celebrities Should Be Your Role Models". YourTango. 24 March 2017. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
  54. ^ Christoph Benkeser (22 November 2018). "Sex-Positive in Wien: Alles, was ihr über die neue Party wissen müsst". Vice. Retrieved 21 March 2021.
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