Sex Positivity
The sex positivity movement took a hold alongside the introduction of the pill in the 1960s and has steadily been rolling through society since. The contraceptive pill suddenly released women from the shackles of sex = pregnancy. This enabled the realisation, that perhaps heterosexual women had sex for enjoyment….who knew!
There started a growing awareness of female sexual enjoyment physically and emotionally being equal to male sexual enjoyment. It is learnt social narratives that separate men and women when it coms to sexual enjoyment. See blame avoidance, ensuring there was still something taboo about a woman proudly enjoying sex.
Now current day the sex positivity movement is celebrated all over. With the message currently gaining traction on social media and within tv and film. However, despite this, it is still not completely socially normalised. Our society prioritises the male orgasm. Social messages suggest that sex is for heterosexual men. With the value of virginity (a completely imaginary social construct that we need to stop) focussed on women along with the objectification of women’s bodies in porn etc. Female sexual pleasure and queer sexualities have long taken a backseat in our society. Sex positivity seeks to set an equal playing field of sexual enjoyment for all.
Fear of sex positivity misleads some into thinking that it is a movement that encourages kinks or pushing sexual boundaries. Where in truth this is incorrect.
Being sex positive is:
Wanting equal sexual pleasure for all.
Knowing what brings you as an individual sexual pleasure.
Being able to communicate that with your sexual partner(s) so that you have a fun and fully enjoyable experience.
Celebrating all sexualities.
Understanding that some of the messages we have received through life about sex and sexual enjoyment are negative and may need to be unlearned.
Sexual positivity is encouraging sexual equality. A revolution that started with the pill and continues to this day. This can include whatever brings you sexual pleasure and ensures consent and comfort. Ultimately what we want is for society to normalise conversations about sex and pleasure and promote equality within sexual enjoyment.