Gender Inequality And Its Relationship With Sexual Dysfunction Drugs

For issue 1.4 the discussion explored the question of whether or not sexual problems should be treated pharmaceutically. Connie Newman advocated for pharmaceutical treatment while Anita Hoffer argued against. Connie Newman presented her argument with various research, referring to the DSM to support her argument that sexual problems were not only a psychological but also physiological problem. She also laid out a comprehensive timeline demonstrating how the sexual problems have been viewed and treated over the years, progressing from purely a psychological based treatment to VIAGRA being an accepted method of treatment for male patients with erectile dysfunction (McKee, 2013, p. 51). However she did recognize that treatments for women had not

Sexual problems occur in 43 percent in women and 31 percent in men. Sexual dysfunctions are direct results of neurological changes that affect our sexual response and inhibits sexual pleasure. This research paper will focus on the various sexual dysfunctions and the three major theoretical perspectives in sociology that explain sexual problems and health: conflict theory, symbolic interactionism and structural functionalism. I infer that lack of intimacy contributes to sexual dysfunctions.

Many doctors, pharmacists, biochemists and scientific researchers have engaged tremendous efforts to providing drugs and supplements that would help overcome sexual malfunction and ill-health.

Ira L. Reiss, a well-known sociologist, has contributed greatly to the field of human sexuality and in the 1960’s brilliantly predicted the revolutionary changes in sexual attitudes. In his novel, An End to Shame: Shaping Our Next Sexual Revolution, Reiss develops the notion that our previous sexual revolution did not adequately eliminate the inequalities related to sexuality. In reality he argues that America is in need of a newly formed sexual revolution, one that will address the negative consequences that our sex negative culture is experiencing. A significant portion of our population argues that these consequences are due to the fact that we talk too much and too soon about sex. This is an inaccurate view of the reasoning behind the sexual problems we are experiencing in America, as in reality the negative sexual outcomes we observe are due to the opposite of this view. This misconception is a common explanation for our sexual problems and many believe it is the key to solving our sexual crisis, but in reality is part of the problem. Reiss argues that “America is long overdue for a rendezvous with sexual reality” (18) and that the future of our nation depends on accepting these realities.

MacKinnon’s categorization of gender fails to take into account the difference in sexual desires. Within the socio-legal context, the regulation of sexual activities generalizes patterns of norms and marginalizes those who do not fit within this binary. This results in the suppression of natural masochistic desire and identity. As suggested by Rubin, feminist critiques of gender hierarchy “must be incorporated into a radical theory of sex, and the critique of sexual oppression should enrich feminism’ (Rubin 180). Rubin argues that the feminist critique of protecting women due to their status as subordinates effectively displace their sexual liberation (Rubin

With the constant push for conforming into what society deems as acceptable, it is no surprise how much of an impact society plays on limiting the perception of what one’s sexual relationship should be. Society manipulates women into behaving in a certain manner in order to fit into this ideal mold of how women should be. Yet only to a certain point, “Be assertive, but not aggressive. Be feminine, but not too passive. Be sexually adventurous, but don’t alienate men with your sexual prowess.” (Bell 26) Due to all of the conditions, which limit women, it is no wonder how many young women feel “weighed down by vying cultural notions about the kind of sex and relationships they should be having.” (Bell 26) Although these limitations proposed by society can cause personal battles between oneself, it is possible to change one’s perception of how one should act regarding their own sexuality. Bell points out that by using “strategies of desire of the Relational Woman”, (Bell 30) this will assist woman in navigating through their sexual and romantic lives. It is normal for women to feel a desire for relationships and it is inevitable that conflict will arise. If women are able to develop and fully accepting their desires, despite the limitations from society, this will to lead women to building lives that are filled with self-acceptance.

Throughout history, only men were used for research subjects, and it was assumed that the female anatomy was essentially the same as men, not including reproductive organs. Because of this, clinical trials were male centric, and women were not well represented in research; therefore, women’s health and

Despite the fact that many men continue to deny that women are objectified, being viewed as an object created solely as a means of pleasure for men is a reality for anyone who was born biologically female. Proving that women are considered less valuable than men is the statistic that women make only 70% of what men in a similar career earns (Ravelli & Webber 214). The sexaul double standard contributes to this idea as well which means that women who engage in sexual activities are “promiscuous” (Ravelli & Webber 237) or “whores” (Ravelli & Webber 237) while men who behave similarly are “Studs” (Ravelli & Webber 237) and women who do not engage in sexual activities are “virgins” (Ravelli & Webber 237) or “Madonna’s” (Ravelli & Webber 237). There are only two portrayals of women and both of these refer to her sexual activities. There are also outrageous definitions of beauty portrayed in the media to

Historically, sexuality has been a source of oppression, as well as pleasure and empowerment. The manner in which law recognizes sexuality is important for it produces a standard to be adhered to. From this standard, norms are established. The legal system acts a regulatory and governance body that acknowledges and legitimized cultural norms influence gendered identities. Cultural feminism suggests that gender disparities can be justified through biological differences. Gendered assumptions are therefore justified through reproductive capabilities, such as nurturing and domestic attributes of women. The analysis of law and cultural norms that perpetuate sexual danger and inhibit pleasure will be conducted through a sequential analysis of the three primary waves of feminism in light of Catherine MacKinnon and Gayle Rubin’s feminist critiques. Radical feminists such as Catherine MacKinnon argues that sexuality is the linchpin of women’s oppression. Gender is a hierarchy and a division of power, and therefore, women are inherently oppressed due to their sexuality. The source of sexual oppression originated from gendered patriarchy, specifically through woman being viewed as subordinates to their male counterparts. In contrast, sex-positive feminists, such as Gayle Rubin, reject sexual essentialism and suggest that sexuality is constructed.

Tran, Thanh. "Extended Essay: Gender Roles, Sexual Desires." Winter Term Assignment. Portland State University, 15 Jan. 2010. Web. 2 Dec. 2015.

Humans now have a very different life compared to the past since freedom, opportunities, and information together are playing a vital role in this modern society. Especially young people, they become more independent and are capable of living their lives. However, while society provides people a lot of benefits, it makes their lives even more complex at the same time by leaving them pressured and confused about who they really are. In her essay, “Selections from Hard to Get:Twenty-Something Women and the Paradox of Sexual Freedom,” Leslie Bell mentions that in this new-in between developmental period American twenty-something women have more freedom and opportunities to their sexual lives than previous generations. But they are struggling with the paradoxes of their relationships and desires at the same time. Bell suggests that social expectations and cultural guidelines, which are conventions of female sexuality and stereotypes of being a good girl, prevent these young women from pursuing their sexual desires and limiting their relationships with men. However, even these women have chosen the way they live, and what kind of sexual life they want to be bad girls to break those old rules, they ended with losing their identities. As a result, establishing a women’s identity rather than clinging to contradictory directives and social expectations impacts female sexuality more. When these twenty-something women try to split

It is clear to see how social values have influenced research on sexuality in the past. Not only did society dictate what was right and proper for a scientist to study, but it condemned those who sought answers for the “improper” areas of study to career damnation. Even more discouraging is the way in which modern day society still puts limits on the research done in sexual physiology. In an era so tolerant and open-minded, one would assume that any researcher in honest quest for truth would be welcomed (and funded) with open arms. Unfortunately, this is not the case. In an article titled Long After Kinsey, Only the Brave Study Sex, Benedict Carey describes such limits on a study attempted in 2003, “In July 2003, for instance, Congress threatened to shut down several highly-regarded sex studies, including one of emotion and arousal, and another of massage parlor workers. And last summer health officials refused to finance a widely anticipated

Our book explains that for man a pill such as Viagra helps restore sexual vigor of youth. For woman a pill is not enough, woman have to deal with the body and physical changes. “Research suggest that the most privileged women are most concerned about their appearance and most invested in treating their body as an improvement project, while working class women regard their body more in terms of how well it functions” (Crawford, 2011, p.348). Virginia’s attitudes are influenced by her environments and the fact that she’s had to work her whole life to support her daughter Debby by herself. She has focused more on being a provider for her daughter and saving money than to actually taking care of herself in terms of appearance. She is more concerned in being healthy in terms of how well her body functions because she is aware that has to be able to

Worldwide, erectile dysfunction (ED) affects 150 million men, leading to emotional distress, eroding self-image, impairing marital relation, and compromised quality of life for patients and their partners. Sildenafil citrate, the first effective and well-tolerated oral therapy for ED works by blocking degradation of the second messenger cyclic 3'5'–guanosine monophosphate. Sildenafil reversibly inhibits phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) and

Historically, orgasms were used as a treatment for hysteria, which predominately occurred in women. This illness goes back as far as Hippocrates who described this as a “disease of the womb” (Gilman et al, 1993, pp. 6). The desexualisation of orgasms and the generalisation of no difference between clitoral and vaginal orgasm is heavily criticised today. Therefore, challenges to this as a treatment and studies related to this, have impacted sexual attitudes in a modern