This coming Wednesday at the Ideas Cafe, we will be discussing another source of offense, that related to gender and sex.Should men compliment women on their beauty without worry about being accused of treating women as sex objects?
What is the difference between an appreciative versus a leering glance? It is apparently very obvious but impossible to quantify.
Flirtation or sexual harassment? What are the elements that differentiate one from the other? http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/apr/09/everyday-sexism-condemns-sexual-advances-mysogynist#comment-34150155
Are all sexual advances "misogynist" ? http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/apr/09/everyday-sexism-condemns-sexual-advances-mysogynist#comment-34150155
Why is it difficult to discuss a proposition for sex?
Can sexual advance ever be respectful and courteous?
To quote the second article, "As such, there is nothing inherently sexist, or threatening or harassing, about making a direct, unambiguous sexual advance to another person. We are conditioned to find such propositions taboo because an expression of straightforward, unencumbered desire transgresses prevailing ideology."
" Sexual pleasure pursued purely for its own sake runs counter to what Freud called the "reality principle" and social philosopher Herbert Marcuse later adapted as the "performance principle" – ie the restraints placed on us by the demands of civilised society, whereby sexual gratification has to be earned through social "performance". Such performance is manifested through some or all those things – money, social status, property, marriage, procreation – that underpin capitalism and ultimately civilisation. In short, such a principle seeks to ensure that the pursuit of sexual pleasure occurs initially within a framework of spending and consumption, being ultimately directed towards a monogamous, patriarchal, potentially procreative relationship."" The behavioural codes of contemporary society already make it extremely difficult for both men and women to approach strangers with a view towards making sexual advances. This should be a source of regret to us all. There is no shame in feeling and expressing sexual attraction, and we should be promoting conditions that give rise to as much mutual sexual pleasure as possible. After all, it's one of the greatest pleasures life offers. And it's free! Of course, this very freedom exemplifies why unencumbered sexual pleasure presents such a problem for those who would support the sexually repressive ideologies that still prevail today."
The amount of comments on these two articles from the Guardian shows the intense interest and yet opposing view on these topics.
Should beautiful women (or men) use their good looks to their advantage in advancing their objectives, while being offended by other admirers who do not fit their purpose?
Should powerful men (or women) use their influence and be offended by others who are attracted to them?
But I digress, there is so much to discuss on just the courtship dance and how it affect our lives even for those of us who may not be in the dance.
Read the articles and let's discuss Wednesday on how courtship is in modern day society!
Sexuality and Gender issues is part of my life's work. I am currently looking to advocate for women's sexual freedom in cultures that still practice arranged marriages. I also think human trafficking and sexual slavery should be abolished.
ReplyDeleteBut the flip side of this is that some woman may chose an arranged marriage, or to use her good looks for profit. And one culture only imposing on another leads to deterioration of the human spirit.
Wasn't it Mill's dad, the starter of Capitalism who thought India was a dirty, and uncivilized country that needed reforming? I am more interested in thinking about reforming as a negative and worthless pursuit then I am about Utilitarianism in an extreme theoretical way. Or, how enculturation creates an environment or conditions that is really only a breeding ground for anarchy as human beings cannot thrive under any extreme or fascist regime.
Choice is really important and ought to be for everyone. To restrict a persons capacity for choice regarding sexuality is a crime against humanity. And sexual crimes are crimes against humanity.
VTS