Gender and Sexuality Chapter

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Questions and Answers

What assumption do the two descriptions of sexual intercourse reflect?

They assume only women can orgasm

They assume sex only involves two people

They assume women initiate sexual encounters

They are heteronormative and androcentric (correct)

According to the study by Thompson and Byers (2017), what percentage of participants reported engaging in mixed-gender threesomes?

13% (correct)

64%

4.5%

None of the above

How does the heterosexual sexual script portray women in sexual relationships?

As passive participants focused on their partner's pleasure (correct)

As initiators of sexual encounters

As uninterested in sex

As focused on their own pleasure

What is implied by the definitions of sexual intercourse given?

The man puts his penis inside the woman and sperm comes out Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of men reported engaging in sex without a woman in the early 1990s?

4.5% Signup and view all the answers

What is the implication of the man's ejaculation marking the end of the sexual act?

The man's ejaculation is the primary focus Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of women in the heterosexual sexual script?

Warding off sexual attention from men Signup and view all the answers

In popular culture, how are women typically portrayed in sexual relationships?

As passive recipients of sexual attention Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary consequence of living in an androcentric society?

Men's experiences are central and viewed as the norm Signup and view all the answers

What is implied by the alternative perspective on the drug treating low sex drive in women?

Men have overactive sex drives Signup and view all the answers

Why is it unlikely for the FDA to approve a drug designed to reduce sex drives in men?

Men's sexual desires are viewed as the norm Signup and view all the answers

What message do instances of performative bisexuality, such as those seen at the VMA, convey about desire for other women?

They are ambiguous and may send mixed messages Signup and view all the answers

What is the common theme in the descriptions of sex from the website and Encyclopedia Britannica?

They both describe sex as a solely male-initiated act Signup and view all the answers

What is implied by the description of sexual intercourse from the Encyclopedia Britannica?

Sex is primarily a male-driven act Signup and view all the answers

What is the underlying assumption in the way sex is described in the provided sources?

Sex is a male-centric experience Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the societal norms surrounding men's sexuality?

Women's sexuality is often viewed as non-normative or undesirable Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Androcentric Society

In an androcentric society, men's experiences are considered the norm, while women's experiences are often seen as non-normative or undesirable if they differ from men's.
This perspective affects how we understand women's sexuality, often portraying it as problematic or in need of treatment.

Heteronormative and Androcentric Definitions of Sex

Traditional definitions of sex are heteronormative and androcentric, assuming sex only involves a man and a woman.
These definitions focus on male orgasm and ejaculation as the culmination of sex, neglecting female pleasure and orgasm.
Examples include website and encyclopedia descriptions that depict sex as a male-dominated act, with the woman as a passive participant.

Diverse Sexual Experiences

Many people engage in sexual activities that don't involve a man and a woman (e.g., same-sex relationships, threesomes).
Research shows that 13% of participants in one study reported engaging in mixed-gender threesomes, and 64% expressed interest in them.

Heterosexual Sexual Script

The heterosexual sexual script portrays men as frequently seeking sex and initiating sexual encounters, while women are expected to ward off sexual attention and prioritize their partner's pleasure over their own.
Popular culture reinforces this script, with men often depicted as seeking sex and women shown as less interested in sexual desire.

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Description

This quiz explores how societal androcentrism impacts our understanding of women's sexuality, and how a non-androcentric perspective can offer alternative views on sexual health.