WS 104 Lecture Notes - Essentialism, Libido, Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder

• School: University of Victoria
• Department: Women's Studies
• Course: WS 104
• Professor: Melissa Avdeeff

Document Summary

Females: inverted male genitalia (seen in relation to males only) Bone structures, organs, brains, hormones, genes, everything but the eyes has been sexed. Essentialism: believes human behaviour is natural, predetermined by genetic biological, physiological mechanisms, unchangeable. Behaviours that share an outward similarity can be assumed to share an underlying essence and meaning. Affirmed existing cultural ideas about gender and sexuality. Upper and middle class men as naturally sexual. Middle class women as naturally virtuous (seen as no sex drive) Women and men who were poor, working class, or of colour seen as oversexed. Including clitoridechtomy, blood-letting (body too hot, cool down), removing ovaries. Women"s bodies were seen as inherently cooler/colder than men. Holistic view of body problem with stomach could lead to mental problems. Problem with genitals could lead to mental problems. 19th c: women seen as naturally sexually cold" but normal" women could be. Heated up" by male sexuality (naturally hot), not too easily of course.