Pre-Research Topic - A View of Social Stigmatization of Women´s Sexuality

Statement of Purpose

Throughout an American woman’s lifetime we are told to be lady-like, classy, sophisticated, non-masculine. We are taught that if we are like a man, we are unworthy. If we are sexual beings, we are manly; only men think of sex. As women, sex is taught to be for reproduction, not pleasure. But what if these ideals were not taught? What if sex were not socially stigmatized for women, but was praised as it is for men? Better yet, the question that should be the most focused on here is, if not for the social stigma presented to women, would they have the same sexual drive, urges, and thoughts as men?

I’m hoping that throughout my research I am able to discover the answer to these various questions. The basis of womanly sexuality, without the presentation of social stigmatization.

Background

My interests derives from my early childhood. My parents always felt it necessary to be completely honest with me with every question I asked, including the question “where do babies come from?” Sexuality has always been at the forefront of my mind, especially because my parents did their best to be non-conformist when it came to matters of sex, gender, and overall sexuality. They wanted me to be raised with the ideal that sex was not a dirty topic or act, nor always an act of love – it was purely a physical act that could be represented in many different ways, often with dire consequences if not handled delicately. They also made it a point to raise my brothers and me as similarly as possible, keeping toys, wardrobe, etc. as gender neutral as possible. Since my childhood I’ve had an increased interest in sexuality, both for men and women, constantly wondering about the hypocrisy that lies within the two sexes.

As for per...

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...pect to run into a couple of ethical issues when it comes to pure statistics, which would be most helpful to my overall conclusion. In order to get the most pure answer to my question, I would need to keep women away from the social stigmatization of society, which would be nearly impossible and take time dedication that I do not have. I will have to pull information from other cultures in which this stigmatization does not exist and attempt to make connections that may or may not exist.

Also, one professor who I have worked with in the past is unavailable to speak face-to-face due to being in another part of the globe currently, and is on a critical time difference. Thankfully, there is e-mail, but I’m worried that via e-mail might become more conversational than true to an interview. It will have to be tread on lightly in order to receive its maximum potential.