SOSA 2503 Chapter Notes -Androcentrism, Foreplay, Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder
15 Dec 2013
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Proscription on female masturbation as unchaste and possibly unheatly. Failure of androcentrically defined sexuality to produce orgasm regularly in women. Relieving symptoms of female arousal fell to medical treatment hysterical paroxysm . Was a lucrative market, patients received ongoing treatment, risk of harm extremely low. 3 essential steps in sex: preparation for penetration (foreplay, penetration, male orgasm. 17th century argument by sydenhams that hysteria was the most common of all diseases except fevers . Marital sex unsatisfying since emphasis was on male orgasm, masturbation discouraged or forbidden, symptoms of hysteroneurasthenic disorders became an outlet. Women who did not reach orgasm were flawed. Laqueur pointed out failure of western tradition until 18th century to develop a complete and meaningful vocabulary of female anatomy. Foucault: the hystericization of women"s bodies protected and reinforced androcentric definitions of sexual fulfillment. Gay: received wisdom that women required sexual gratification for health came into conflict with newer ideas regarding intrinsic purity of womangood.
