Fun feminst links

[sarahmichigan]

I found that many Ms. Magazine stories are archived on-line! These were some of the ones that were the most fun or interesting, in my estimation:

How a male feminist got a portrait of feminist pioneer Mary Wollstonecraft out of a closet and on display (includes a link to the full text of her treatise "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman"):

http://www.msmagazine.com/fall2004/liberatingmarywollstonecraft.asp

Why viagra or nasal sprays are NOT the answer to women's lack of libido or "sexual dysfunction":

http://www.msmagazine.com/summer2004/viagraoranrxforsex.asp

Did you know the suffragettes used bullwhips to beat back their enemies? A history of women and whips:

http://www.msmagazine.com/summer2004/takingbackthewhip.asp

Comments

[aedifica]

I enjoyed that second article you linked, but it closed in a way I found disturbing: "For those in long-term relationships, I suggest Rx sex once a week, minimum. No exceptions, no excuses." That just struck a really wrong note for me - the article seems to say "here are some reasons why women aren't interested in sex, but you should have sex anyway."

[sarahmichigan.livejournal.com]

I understand why it bothered you. I think that making appointments for sex and having sex once in a while even when you're "not in the mood" IS a good idea, though. a lot of times, you can get into it even if you don't start off in the mood, and generally, the more good sex you get, the more good sex you want. It can be a negative feedback loop if you keep avoiding sex, and a positive one if you make time for it.

For the average person without some kind of sexual trauma in his/her background, forcing yourself to have sex occasionally even when you're "not in the mood" will generally be a positive thing, not a negative one.

I think being really rigid about it, "once a week, no excuses" isn't the way to go, though. For some couples, twice a month might be sufficient. And "sex" doesn't have to equal PIV, either. Just sensual massages or mutual masturbation could be sufficient to maintain the erotic connection and energy.

[aedifica]

I agree with what you say. I think in the article it may just have been badly worded - but if so, it was very poor choice of words.

I often forget to have sex, and I've suggested to Nate that we set a regular time for it. So far he hasn't been interested in that, though. :-)

[simianpower.livejournal.com]

What I don't get is how they can call rampant anger, shame, anxiety, and self-pity, all leading to lack of sex, NOT a set of sexual dysfunctions. If they're stopping your sex drive, they're a sexual dysfunction. QED.

[sarahmichigan.livejournal.com]

She makes a distinction early on that she doesn't carry on through the whole piece, when she says:

If women are convinced they're physically dysfunctional, however, drug companies can make money off them.

It's like the difference between being depressed because you have a medical condition that's screwing with your brain chemicals, and being depressed because your spouse of 40 years has died. One is a medical dysfunction, and the other is a normal reaction to a bad circumstance.

I believe the author is saying that the drug companies want to medicalize women's lack of desire as a physical malfunction instead of examining societal and environmental reasons for many women's lack of desire.