L‘World Health Organization defines sexual health as “a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality; it is not simply the absence of disease, dysfunction, or infirmity. It requires a positive and respectful approach and provides access to safe and pleasant sexual experiences, free from all forms of coercion, discrimination and violence”. This definition, which dates back to 2006, does not distinguish between genders.
Female sexuality: from object to subject
But how has female sexuality changed over the years? Have the great changes in the social role of women in recent years also changed her culture and sexual habits? Sex represents an extremely intimate sphere, yet so representative of relational dynamics, especially in couples. For centuries, women have been predominantly passive objects in sexualityexperienced as the satisfaction of male pleasure and the reproductive needs of the human species.
For centuries, the same women have grown overwhelmed by the macho culture in which they lived, by the education they received, by their religious beliefs, by gender stereotypes which today, albeit with difficulty, are fading especially in the younger generations.
A new social and economic role
Today, albeit with many difficulties, women have entered spheres of power and culture such as politics, the world of work and education, acquiring greater awareness of their abilities and their new social and economic role. She is often asked to outperform a man in an attempt to reconcile work and family.
Female sexuality and reproductive capacity: a free choice
The diffusion of contraceptive methods and family planning, up to the possibility of cryopreserving oocytes, have also made women increasingly protagonists of their reproductive capacity, allowing them to choose if, how and when to become a mother. The model of woman that can is also beginning to make its way fulfilling oneself without necessarily becoming a motherfreeing sexuality from the reproductive function and bringing it ever closer to that of pleasure.
Female sexuality, the pursuit of pleasure is a right
The woman began to live there sexuality no longer as a practice dedicated to male pleasure, but to understand that in sex it is right to seek above all the own pleasure. This has led to greater resourcefulness even in courtship, to the awareness of no longer wanting to be the prey of a man who, after being enchanted, must choose you and finally possess you. Hence the success of dating.
Penetration isn’t everything
And therefore the way of having sex has also changed: if for years sexuality was experienced as a penetrative act, today the idea that there is much more is gaining ground. Starting from the consideration that women have, in most cases, a clitoral orgasmand that this part of the female external genitalia plays a crucial role in arousal and reaching orgasm, is increased attention to other sexual modalities.
What is the outercourse
Among the younger couples theouter course, a new sexual practice that involves only non-penetrative intercourse. Even what was once called “foreplay”, so important to lead to excitement, are increasingly requested and demanded by women.
Female sexuality and fluid orientation
Also, the greater visibility and acceptance of homosexuality it has fostered the possibility of having relationships with people of the same gender even if only for experience new sexual relationships you hate change orientation over time.
Man’s reaction to the new female sexuality
However, this new leading role of women in sexuality leaves men, especially if not very young, bewildered. Let us remember that a very enterprising sexual woman has often been misjudged and has represented a danger to the community. These prejudices are also often found in bed, where a model different from the traditional one can create performance anxiety and other sexual problems.
Sex represents an area where couple dynamics are poured in all their complexity. Everyone, man or woman, lives sex as a profound expression of what it is, of how it is seen, and of the relationship it establishes with its partner. The great changes that have taken place in the space of a few years in the sexual sphere still require a profound cultural adjustment, especially in the older age groups.
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Who is Dr. Raffaela Di Pace
Graduated in Medicine and Surgery – Faculty of Milan, yes specialized in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Mangiagalli clinic in Milanwhere he also obtained his PhD in Pathophysiology of Menopause. Clinical sexologistworked for 16 years at the Division of Preventive Gynecology of the European Institute of Oncology.
He currently works at Humanitas San PIOX where he also covers the role of head of the Vulvodynia clinic and is Medical Director of the Rapha studioMulti-specialist center for women’s well-being.
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