Laan: In pursuit of pleasure: a biopsychosocial perspective on sexual pleasure and gender

Question 1

definition of sexual pleasure=

Answer 1

both a physical and psychological experience that is fundamental to overall sexual health.

Question 2

traditional health interventions and sexual pleasure

Answer 2

most health metrics rarely consider sexual pleasure, and are only focused on risk mitigation (STI prevention and contraceptives) rather than fostering a positive discourse around pleasure.

Question 3

sexual pleasure in the biopsychosocial perspective

Answer 3

sexual experiences are shaped by biological factors (eg. hormones), psychological factors (eg. individual sexual self-esteem) and social factors (eg. cultural norms and gender roles)

Question 4

gender similarities

Answer 4

studies indicate that men and women have an inherent capacity for pleasure, demonstrated by similar responses to sexual stimuli (men, women and non-binary people can experience genital arousal and neural activation when exposed to sexual stimuli, suggesting the capacity for pleasure is biologically similar)

Question 5

the role of hormones

Answer 5

testosterone is often associated with sexual desire, but this does not imply a stronger innate sex drive in men. sexual desire is actually less hormonally driven compared to other animals, and is instead shaped by psychological and contextual factors.

Question 6

socialization and sex

Answer 6

boys are often encouraged to explore sexual pleasure and girls are often discouraged to do so. this can lead to disparities in knowledge about one’s own sexual needs, which affects pleasure in adult relationships

Question 7

the pleasure gap

Answer 7

men, esp. in heterosexual relationships, are more likely to experience orgasms and have greater sexual satisfaction. women have fewer opportunities for orgasm, particularily when sexual activity focuses only on penetrative intercourse without clitoral stimulation. lesbian women do report higher rates of orgasm due to more varied and clitoral-focused stimulation.

Question 8

coital imperative =

Answer 8

The premise that within a relationship there is a (moral) obligation to have the option to insert a penis into a vagina.

This is culturally defined, disadvantages women and is often rooted in male-centered definitions of sex (which overlook the fact that the clitoris is the primary source of pleasure for many women)

Question 9

societal double standards regarding sexual pleasure

Answer 9

societal norms often stigmatize female sexual agency whilst simultaneously celebrating male sexuality. this sexual double standard reinforces gendered expectations where men are encouraged to pursue and enjoy sex freely, whilst women may be discouraged from openly expressing their own pleasure, leading to self-suppression.

Question 10

impact of media and societal norms on sexual behaviour

Answer 10

media representations of ‘ideal’ sexual behaviour and body image can negatively impact women’s sexual self-esteem, arousal and overall satisfaction. cultural narratives often portray women as passive in sexual encounters.

cultural narratives often portray women as being passive in sexual encounters, which can limit womens ability to advocate for their own pleasure.

Question 11

psychological costs for women

Answer 11

painful sex, many endure discomfort during intercourse rather than prioritizing their own comfort or pleasure. fear of partner dissatisfaction may prevent women from voicing their discomfort or opting out of painful sexual experiences.

Question 12

recommendations for public health initiatives

Answer 12

sexual pleasure should be incorporated as a vital component of sexual health. the persuit of sexual wellbeing (pleasure, consent and equality) should be an independent public health goal. increased pleasure and satisfaction or associated with better mental and physical health, as well as stronger, more fulfilling relationships.

Question 13

moving toward equality in sexual pleasure: 3 steps

Answer 13

1. sexual justice: creating an equitable environment where all genders can experience sexual pleasure without stigma or restriction. rethinking sexual scripts that center on male pleasure, call for an expanded definition of “sex” to include various forms of stimulation, beyond penetration.
2. comprehensive sex education: emphasize pleasure, body literacy and sexual agency for all genders. this should reduce the pleasure gap.
3. challenge traditional gender norms: challenging the coital imperative and the societal double standards.

Question 14

one of the main reasons to engage in sex

Answer 14

the persuit of sexual pleasure

Question 15

sexual pleasure in western society

Answer 15

Sexual pleasure has been demonised or avoided in Western society and sex education. We should prioritise a sex positive, pleasure and sexual well-being focused approach

Question 16

pleasure (and orgasm) gap

Answer 16

• For most men, sexual activity is almost always associated with pleasure, which is not the case for most (heterosexual) women
• A lot of women experience pain during sexual intercourse, but prioritise their partner’s pleasure over their own
• Women experience more sexual abuse
• Women perceive men’s requests for sex as more dangerous and are more likely to decline
• Biologically, men and women are very similar, so the differences are likely due to psychosocial factors

Question 17

incentive motivation model=

Answer 17

states that sexual desire is activated by external, sexually relevant stimuli or thoughts of such stimuli