The Social Meaning And Practices Of Orgasm

Question 1

What is an orgasm?

(Physiological view)

Answer 1

Physiological response to sexual stimulation

Involves muscular contractions

Involves high blood pressure, rapid breathing and visible flush in skin

Usually results in ejaculation of semen for those w/ a penis

Question 2

Is an orgasm sexual?

(Social constructionist view)

Answer 2

This depends…

Orgasm = is a social construct

This requires a sexual script to be understood as sexual

Question 3

Sexual scripts organize “_______/_______” relations

Answer 3

Social/power

Question 4

What is a purposely delayed orgasm called?

Answer 4

Coitus reservatus

This may be done b/c it may give a female partner more time and more chance of reaching an orgasm

This may be done also to avoid pregnancy

In the 19th century the “spilling” of semen was thought to led to the loss of a mans energy or strength
= so they avoided orgasm

Question 5

What is penile withdrawal during sex called?

Answer 5

Coitus interruptus

This may be done as a less reliable form of contraception than modern methods such as the birth control pill

Question 6

What are 6 varieties of orgasm experiences?

Answer 6

1. Purposely delayed orgasm (M) - coitus reservatus
2. Repeated or multiple orgasms
3. Penile withdrawal during sex - coitus interruptus
4. Dry orgasm or with ejaculation (M&F)
5. Simple or complex sensations - trans experiences
6. Alone, with toys, with aids with others

Question 7

What is the social meaning of orgasm according to Weeks?

Answer 7

“The capacities of the body and psyche are given meaning in social relations”

• Weeks, 2023, p.9

Question 8

Orgasm can be related to “sexual dysfunction”…

This reveals “__________” assumptions about sex and reflects gender “________”

Answer 8

Normative; constructs

Question 9

What percentage of heterosexual women usually-always orgasm?

(Australia, US & Canada)

Answer 9

Australia (2006): 70%

US (2024): 65%

Canada (2022): 62%

Question 10

What percentage of heterosexual men usually-always orgasm?

(Australia, US & Canada)

Answer 10

Australia (2006): 95%

US (2024): 95%

Canada (2022): 85%

Question 11

What percentage of homosexual men/bisexual men usually-always orgasm?

(Australia, US & Canada)

Answer 11

Australia (2006): UNKNOWN %

US (2024): 89/88%

Canada (2022): UNKNOWN %

Question 12

What percentage of homosexual/bisexual women usually-always orgasm?

(Australia, US & Canada)

Answer 12

Australia (2006): 76%

US (2024): 86/66%

Canada (2022): 75%

Question 13

What explains this ‘orgasm gap’ from a gender essentialism point of view?

Why do men have more orgasms than women in heterosexual relationships?

Answer 13

It is harder to sexually arouse women

Men orgasm more easily

Women take longer to orgasm

Men enjoy sex more / are more sexual

Men just orgasm, women’s orgasms take “work”

Question 14

What explains this ‘orgasm gap’ from a social construct point of view?

Answer 14

Problem is the understanding of heterosexual “regular” sex

Women’s arousal as “foreplay”

Penetration as the main event

Male ejaculation as the culmination / end of the encounter

Pressure for women to align with male timing / penile stimulation

Question 15

What are the 3 implications of understanding sex in this way?

Answer 15

1. Gender differences are naturalized:
   - men have/expect to orgasm during sex
   - women believe having an orgasm is the purpose of sex for
   men & necessary for pleasure
   - women assumed to prioritize emotional / romantic
   intimacy
2. Women’s sexuality viewed through a deficit lens:
   - women’s bodies appear harder to please
   - practices that facilitate women’s orgasms were “extras”
   - men/women think women need “extra time”
   - sex ends with male orgasm
3. Sexual activities pleasurable to women can be stigmatized:
   - not part of “regular” sex - outside penetration script
   - “Normal” orgasm should occur with penetration
   - oral sex, vibrators, sex toys focusing on clitoral stimulation can be see as morally contentious
   - gender hierarchy – sexual scripts support men’s pleasure

Question 16

“___________” ‘natural’ sex script contributes to orgasm gap and “_______” that gap

Answer 16

Heteronormative; normalizes

Question 17

Dominant meanings encourage “_______” to have lower orgasm expectations and “________” romantic/ emotional aspects of sex

Answer 17

Women; emphasize

Question 18

“__________” penile-vaginal penetration leads to sex focused on “_____” pleasure

Answer 18

Normalizing; men’s

Question 19

Sexual norms have changed for women, but not enough… there is still “______& ______” about “additional” practices to have orgasm

Answer 19

Shame & stigma

Question 20

What are some things to practice/do to help close the heterosexual orgasm gap?

Answer 20

Re-write essentialist sexual scripts

Identify and rethink your own assumptions about “regular” sex

Learn about your own pleasure & what brings orgasm

Challenge shame narratives

Consider when to have sex in a relationship

Communicate with your partner(s)

Learn more about your partner’s pleasure

Question 21

Essentialist beliefs put forward the idea that orgasms are “________” more “________” to men

Also that women’s bodies are “__________” more difficult to please

When do these beliefs come into question?

Answer 21

Naturally; important

Anatomically

These ideas come into question when…

= women who engage in same-­ sex sexual encounters disclose that they orgasm regularly

= women achieve orgasm through masturbation regularly

Question 22

In TV and movies the ‘main event’ in sex is often portrayed on “______-_____” intercourse

Answer 22

Penile-vaginal

Question 23

Sexual activities that focus on clitorial stimulation- like oral sex- portray this as “________” and not the “main event”

Answer 23

Foreplay

Question 24

In one study, many of the women described feeling “______” about engaging in sexual practices that they perceive to be exclusively about their own sexual pleasure, even if those practices are what bring them to orgasm

Answer 24

Badly

These were not only described as ‘separate from normal sex’ but also morally contentious

= again these ideas “reinforce’ the idea of ‘regular sex’

Question 25

In a study of the Inis Beag people, how was sex/orgasms percieved by them?

Answer 25

Were *very shy* about (even partial) nudity, about urination and defecation, and about heterosexual social interaction Although it was hard for the researchers to get details about people’s sexual habits, they concluded that *“inter- course takes place with underclothes not removed; and orgasm, for the man, is achieved quickly, almost immediately after which he falls asleep”* Women’s *orgasms appeared to be unknown* Other physiological processes such as menstruation and menopause were traumatic for women because local traditions had *no explanation for them*

Question 26

In sexually repressive cultures it is even possible for people to still orgasm… How can this happen?

Answer 26

They can *masturbate to orgasm, or to have spontaneous orgasm while asleep or awake, without experiencing what is happening as sexual – they may experience it as emotional or as religious passion, or as some kind of “fit” or weird feeling”*

Question 27

How can an orgasm be purely a physiological event without any sexual meaning?

Answer 27

Orgasms can even happen to **children** *before they know about sex* = in recent decades parents have taken small children to the *doctor because of “fits” or “attacks,”* only to have the behavior explained as masturbatory orgasm Orgasm as a purely physiological event can occur *without the person having any awareness of it as sexual* There is *no direct correlation between physiological events and social ones* – and sexual events are deeply social, even those that happen when we are alone

Question 28

Women who have frequent orgasms tend to “_____” sex more, “_____” sex more often and report they are “________” with their sex lives

Answer 28

Enjoy; have; satisfied

Question 29

Although women are more likely than men to have trouble having orgasms at all, women who easily have orgasms seem to have a better chance of having “_______” ones,

Answer 29

Multiple

Question 30

Men who want to experience “_______” orgasms in a single sexual session of sex need to have a quick “_________” period so that they can reach orgasm and regain their erection several times This is easier for “______” men Alternatively, they may be able to train themselves to do this, by learning to have an orgasm “________” ejaculation

Answer 30

Multiple; recovery Younger Without

Question 31

20th century research showed that some women do ejaculate, and this fluid is different from “______” as it contains a chemical that also occurs in male prostatic fluid

Answer 31

Urine

Question 32

The subjective variations in orgasmic sensation are influenced by hormones as well as by cultural expectations What is an example of this?

Answer 32

People taking *gender-­ affirming hormone therapy* find that their sexual sensations and responses change over time Ex. trans woman may report “a change in orgasms,” from simple and short “boygasms” to complex and extended “girlgasms” Ex. trans men are likely to report more *frequent masturbation and greater ability to achieve orgasm* after testosterone treatment, typically with a change toward shorter and more powerful orgasmic feeling