Anal Sex

Question 1

what is “phallic sexuality”?

Answer 1

the dominant way of doing and thinking about sexuality in modern Western culture – centres around the penis and its penetrative role in coital intercourse between a heterosexual, cisgender, and traditionally married couple

Question 2

why is phallic sexuality patriarchal?

Answer 2

intercourse is understood in terms of anatomical dichotomy – active penis and passive vagina –> man as superior and woman as inferior

Question 3

what are 5 common understandings of anal sex?

Answer 3

1. a method of contraception
2. health risks – e.g. STIs, too frequent (but also creates an erotic appeal of the riske aspect)
3. heterosexual substitute – e.g. affirming masculine identity in prison by having sex with men or having anal sex to maintain “virginal purity”
4. perversion – sodomy was considered a sexual sin
5. routine variation – research has shown that as relationships go long-term, anal is a variant that’s introduced

Question 4

what is barebacking? what is its social meaning

Answer 4

unprotected penetrative intercourse – usually seen as adventurous and provides the individual with a sense of being carried away by an overwhelming masculine sex drive –> affirmation of masculine identity

Question 5

what are 4 contemporary meanings of anal sex?

Answer 5

1. a fashionable theme – talked more about than done, the voluptuous booty, new trend (instead of little boys growing up hoping for a blowjob, now it’s anal)
2. porno number – 1/8 generic numbers that a successful porno would need to provide; “meat shot” of anal sex – each orifice penetrated; brutal objectification of the extreme dilatation of her anal passage
3. act of phallic dominance – man asserts himself, orientated towards male pleasure
4. special ultimate intimacy – reciprocating roles of anal –> ultimate expression of gay love

Question 6

how did Chinese gay men in Hong Kong change their relationships with British/European men during the period of decolonization?

Answer 6

their relationships became more equal, including reciprocating roles in anal sex

Question 7

what did a Norweigian study find about young gay men who were interviewed

Answer 7

most: anxieties about a “loss of manhood” that they associate with the receptive role
some: women can play the receptive part with the grace of “normal” but does not extend to men playing the receptive role