TY - JOUR
T1 - Let’s (Not) Talk about Sex
T2 - The Gender of Sexual Discourse
AU - Montemurro, Beth
AU - Bartasavich, Jennifer
AU - Wintermute, Leann
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2014, Springer Science+Business Media New York.
PY - 2015/3
Y1 - 2015/3
N2 - Although much attention is given to women’s sexuality, sex is often an uncomfortable or avoided topic. There are taboos about women openly discussing their own sexual behavior, sexual desire, or sexual problems in large part because sex talk is masculinized. Based on in-depth interviews with a diverse group of ninety-five women aged 20–68, we examine gendered discourses about sexuality. We find that most women are uncomfortable talking about sex in general and fear judgment for communicating desire or talking about sexual behavior. Yet, when women construct sex-related conversations in a feminine way, such as a means of supporting a friend or emotional bonding, they are more open to sex talk. Furthermore, we see women’s talk or avoidance of sex talk as compliant with interaction norms and gendered face-saving behavior for themselves and others.
AB - Although much attention is given to women’s sexuality, sex is often an uncomfortable or avoided topic. There are taboos about women openly discussing their own sexual behavior, sexual desire, or sexual problems in large part because sex talk is masculinized. Based on in-depth interviews with a diverse group of ninety-five women aged 20–68, we examine gendered discourses about sexuality. We find that most women are uncomfortable talking about sex in general and fear judgment for communicating desire or talking about sexual behavior. Yet, when women construct sex-related conversations in a feminine way, such as a means of supporting a friend or emotional bonding, they are more open to sex talk. Furthermore, we see women’s talk or avoidance of sex talk as compliant with interaction norms and gendered face-saving behavior for themselves and others.
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U2 - 10.1007/s12119-014-9250-5
DO - 10.1007/s12119-014-9250-5
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84943588549
SN - 1095-5143
VL - 19
SP - 139
EP - 156
JO - Sexuality and Culture
JF - Sexuality and Culture
IS - 1
ER -