The Clitoris: The Secret Button

Andrea Roberts

While killing some time on the website Upworthy.com I stumbled upon an article about an artist Sophia Wallace, an artist who is working on a multi-media art project about the clitoris. Her main focus is to educate the population about the ‘true’ female sex organ; she is calling this project ‘Cliteracy’. [1] I was shocked to see some of the facts that she was throwing out in her interview I had to investigate! What I do know is that in the Colonial era the popular belief was that woman were just inversions of male genitalia, [2] the next large piece of information I found was on Sigmund Freud and how he believed that orgasms by the clitoris were considered immature. [3] Not until 1998 was there a notably published paper, written by Helen O’Connell an Urologist, which shed light on this mysterious little ‘button’. The first myth is that the clitoris is mostly a external structure, it actually averages around 9 centimeters long! [1] It also has around eighteen distinct functional parts. [3]

I also cannot sit here exploring the history of the clitoris without talking about the practice female circumcision, clitoridechtomy, and the practice of removing a young woman’s clitoris. It was a major practice in Africa, and is still practiced today, was performed to young females who are getting ready for marriage. [4] The clitoris was used in the victoria era to treat hysteria; Doctors believed that stimulating the clitoris to an orgasm would help ‘level’ out woman. [5] Hysteria was the diagnosis of a woman who in laymen’s terms could not be handled, if these ‘treatments’ did not work a woman would have been ordered to have a hysterectomy.

Why did it take so long for the medical world to acknowledge this important part of female anatomy? And why has there been such a negative association with the clitoris? I believe that a lot has to do with our struggle, as woman to find our voice, when the major scientific revolutions on anatomy were being made women’s opinions were not taken into consideration. With being in such a patriarchal society, doctors were not even able to touch a woman were she would normally have clothing. [4] I believe that this puts women at a major disadvantage, we enjoy sex just as much as men, why should women not be educated on an organ that plays such a major role in orgasms.

1. Mosbergen, dominique. The Huffington Post, Last modified September 05, 2013. Accessed February 28, 2014. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/28/cliteracy_n_3823983.html.

2. Moore, Crystal . "The Role of Sex and Gender in the History of Sexuality." lecture., UNCC, 2014. .

3. King, Ph.D., Robert. Psychology Today, "The Lady Vanishes." Last modified July 16, 2013. Accessed February 28, 2014. http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/hive-mind/201307/the-lady-vanishes.

4. Melissa Jo, Peltier. "The History of Sex: Don Juan to Queen Victoria." History Channel . California State University. Web, http://distance-ed.fullerton.edu/bbpresentations/Karul_Ketchum/4his_sex_from_don_juan_to_queen_victoria/player.html.

5. Castleman, Michael . Psychology Today, ""Hysteria" and the Strange History of Vibrators." Last modified March 01, 2013. Accessed February 28, 2014. http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/all-about-sex/201303/hysteria-and-the-strange-history-vibrators.

The History Of Birth Control - Bhargav Patel

The History of Birth Control

Bhargav Patel

   The majority of people in the world may think that the contraceptive pill or condom was and is the only form of birth control available. This is not true, birth control has been around for hundreds of years and it wasn’t invented in past 20 years or so. The earliest accounts of birth control go all the back to 3000 B.C. Egypt. Most sources show that birth control was founded around 1850 B.C. to 1550 B.C. in Egypt. An Egyptian manuscript shows a recipe of making a paste full of dates, acacia and honey. This paste is then put all over a piece of wool and used as a pessary to prevent contraception.¹

   Another entry talks about the adventures of Casanova and his birth control experiments. In his memoirs, Casanova mentions the use of sheep bladder condoms and using half a lemon as a cervical cup.¹ Other early accounts show that the first condoms were invented around 3000 B.C. People would use fish bladders, linen sheaths and animal intestines.²

   Condoms, which is probably the most used form of birth prevention, were not always made of rubber as mentioned above. Condoms started off as animal intestines and bladders.² Then in 1839 a man named Charles Goodyear invents the technology to vulcanize rubber. This was then used in the manufacturing of condoms.¹ This was a revelation as people could now just use these new condoms and not worry about it coming of or tearing apart.

   Birth control was always popular in the Victorian era but from 1839 (invention of rubber condom) to 1873, the popularity of birth control skyrocketed due to the numerous advertisements about syringes and alum. As talked about in class there were numerous methods of contraception like coitus interruptus, pessaries, lemons, vaginal sponges, abortion etc.³ I’m not saying these were all safe and reliable but they were popular. Females could get abortions for around $10 - $11 at the doctors³. As discussed in class, the popularity of birth control led to low birth rates and in 1873 the Comstock law came into effect. It outlawed any advertisement of birth control to be sent through the postal service. This lasted up till 1965.³

   The law did have an effect on birth control but not a major one. Women still had abortions and if contraception would fail then they would try to induce their own miscarriage.³ After all these harmful ways one woman finally founded something reliable. In 1916 Margaret Sanger opened the first birth control (family planning) clinic in Brooklyn, NY. She was sent to jail for creating a public nuisance.² This would impact how future generations would conceive. People then began planning out if they or should not have kids.  

   All these ancient methods have had an impact on birth control in our society today. As discussed in class, there were crazy methods of birth control in the Victorian Era. Even though they were not reliable and safe, they taught us our mistakes and how we can improve upon them. The mistakes made in the Victorian Era made us realize the harmful ways of birth control and how we can make more safe and reliable birth control methods.

  

References

1.    1. Time Magazine, "A Brief History of Birth Control." Last modified May 03, 2010. Accessed February 28, 2014. http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1983970,00.html.

2.    2. Thompson, Kirsten. Our Bodies Ourselves, "Birth Control." Accessed February 28, 2014. http://www.ourbodiesourselves.org/book/companion.asp?id=18&compID=53.

3.  3.   Moore, Crystal. "Sexuality Within The Victorian Family." Last modified February 18, 2014. Accessed February 28, 2014.

Condoms -- Then and Now by Angela Woltermann

Condoms – Then and Now

Having safe sex to prevent unwanted pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted diseases is certainly not a recent practice. Condoms date far back before the Common Era, though perhaps the most notable one was the 1640 model. The first condoms were made from the intestine of either a pig or a sheep, and were intended for multiple usage. Between each wearing, the users were instructed to submerge the condom in warm milk in order to clean it of potential diseases it may have come in contact with. Because they weren’t made from an especially tight or elastic material, the first condoms included a small tie at the base to keep from slipping off during intercourse.

Of course, when this invention we can now buy cheaply in boxes at any convenience store first came to be, it was far more expensive. Only men from the upper class were able to afford them. Since they were able to be used multiple times, they were somewhat worth the investment. However, they weren’t as effective as later models.

A later release of condoms finally introduced the use of thick rubber (where we get the term “rubber” for these contraceptives) which was more effective at preventing pregnancy and disease than the animal intestine-based ones.

These condoms, though better at preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease due to their thickness, came with their own set of drawbacks. They were considerably smaller, covering only the tip of the penis, and were so thick that they were uncomfortable for the wearer, offering little to no sensation during intercourse.

The condoms we know today are typically made from latex, which were first introduced in 1912. There are alternatives, for those with latex allergies, made of polyurethane. Newer versions of the animal-based condoms are available as well, though aren’t as effective when it comes to preventing sexually transmitted diseases. What we have now also varies in size and density (both in extra thick and extra thin. Thinner gives better sensation, though it is more likely to break.) Today’s condoms even come in a variety of flavors for oral sex and colors for, well, aesthetics. Many come pre-lubricated, for both comfort and sometimes extra preventative measure (for example, the lube may contain a spermicide to kill off sperm in case of a tear in the condom.) Latex condoms are much cheaper than condoms of the past, offering more people the opportunity to practice safe sex. This, of all the changes condoms have taken through the years, is one of the most important of all, because if one doesn’t have the money for contraception, they certainly don’t have the money to raise a child or treat a contracted disease.

“Sexual Health, Birth Control, and Condoms,” WebMD, http://www.webmd.com/sex/birth-control/birth-control-condoms (Accessed 27, Feb. 2014).

Crystal Moore, lecture for “Within the Family,” University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 18 Feb. 2014.

Mark Cichocki R.N., “The History of Condoms,” About.com, http://aids.about.com/od/condominformation/qt/condomhistory.htm (Accessed 28, Feb. 2014).

Life and Sex in Colonial America compared to Now

By: Aleisha Murrell

In the Colonial period life was different. Their sex, reproductive lives, and contraception all differed from life today in America. Sex in Colonial America was only supposed to be done for reproduction. Women were seen as immoral seductresses who took after Eve, because Eve was the temptress that took the apple from the forbidden tree and offered it to Adam. To go along with those thoughts about women, doctors thought that when women had periods it made them “unreliable” and dangerous in positions of power (Moore, 2014). Women in the colonial period had no control, they weren’t allowed to own their own wages, sign a contract, or even own their own business (Moore, 2014).  Women were only relevant because of their man, who controlled every part of their lives. In today’s time sex is far more than reproduction, I feel that reproduction is actually the last thing on people’s mind. Sex has gotten so out of control with the younger generation (my age) there is passion, love, commitment and emotional ties that come along with sex now. Another difference from Colonial America to today’s life is the respect of women. Today in America women are as easily competitive and demand just as much respect that men get. Women are allowed to speak their minds, be what they want and do what they please. They do not have to answer to a man or be in his shadow. I cannot even fathom how women could just go along with the discrimination they had to deal with. They had less rights and basically lived through their husbands. I am all about being independent and secure by myself! In Colonial America courting was normal and something that young adults did to express their sexual desires, usually done in more public places (Moore, 2014). I feel that today men and women don’t court as much.  It’s kind of like a text or an “Instagram like” that expresses a sexual desire, mostly done in private by being a bit rude and too blunt. I like how courtship was in the Colonial period, it seems much more classy and respectful. Today is more of a “booty call” when guys (and even girls) are expressing sexual desires, rather than anything genuine. Another difference between these two time periods was the punishments of adultery. Capital punishment was usually not enforced, but fines, public whipping, wearing the letters AD on a garment for everyone to see, and branding on the forehead was the punishment for sexual relations between a man and a married women in the Colonial period (Moore, 2014). It may sound cruel but I definitely think that punishment should be the same in America today. That would stop so much cheating and divorces. I feel that if there were harsh punishments like that today, couples would be less anxious to marry anyone that seems “special.” Society would be more open for communication to fix their issues, than just going out and cheating. The last thing that I will point out is the differences in contraception. I am so thankful for the contraception we have in America today!! I used to take the shot once every six months, it was so easy and quick and now I take the pill. Although there is more responsibility with the pill it’s still simple and very effective. In the Colonial period only a small amount of couples used contraception, and towards the end of the era only wealthy men could afford condoms. Our contraception is much more effective and less stressful to deal with than the colonial era. For example they used the pull out method and thought that prolonging breastfeeding and refraining from sex while nursing was contraception.

 

 

Citation:

Crystal Moore, “Sex in Colonial America, 1400-1800,” LBST 2101 UNC Charlotte Moodle 2, Accessed January 30, 2014, https://moodle2.uncc.edu/course/view.php?id=58852.

Modern Dating vs. Courting

Jessica Quach

            It’s funny how things have progressed over the years when it comes to love. “Courting” has led to the idea of “dating” and all the rules that encompassed this kind of relationship between two people have been modified and amended. Many different images come to mind when I think of courtship as opposed to dating. However, both can be considered transitional periods in a person’s life.

The act of "bundling". The suitor and his love interest must
sleep with aboard in between them or in bundling sacs.

            As I mentioned before, courting can be misconstrued as “dating” in modern times. Courting was practiced when two people wanted to express their “sexual desires”—something that reflects pieces of what dating is like today. [3] The divergence between dating and courting comes into play with who decides and approves courtships. Nowadays, the people themselves make decisions and approvals. Back in colonial times, the parents played a crucial part in determining courtships, which often underlay prearranged marriages. [3] If the lover decided to stay the night, the couple would either be separated by a board or required to sleep in sacs to prevent sexual activities. [3] Because families usually only had one bed, it was common that the couple would be sleeping in the presence of the parents. [4]

            Today, dating has become more free. An individual could have many boyfriends or girlfriends—hopefully not all at once—and there is no real attachment to a person whereas in courtship, the idea of marriage is entertained. Dating is a way for people to get to know one another and experiment. I am not saying that everyone falls within this category, but many people nowadays date whomever they wish without their parent’s consent. The parents play a small part or no part at all in deciding who would be a “decent match”.

            Although all of the knowledge I have relayed in this blog entry about dating comes from personal experience and from the experiences of those around me, I’ve noticed that dating in our time can’t be completely aligned with courting in the Colonia Era. Dating and courting are not synonyms. On further examination of these terms, I have come to find that courtship is more like being engaged to someone. Courting occurs right before marriage and is a phase in life that must be thought about carefully because it shows intentions of marriage. [1] However, dating is very casual.

            Another difference is that the male counterpart always proposed courtship. [1] Today, the line between “who asks who” out has been blurred—both men and women, boys and girls, ask each other out and the unspoken rule that the male should be the one to step forward is fading. I think this transition into a more flexible relationship before marriage was born from the fight for equal rights by women. By establishing equal rights, we have set a sort of precursor to the idea that women and men are nearly identical and when it comes to dating, the gender binary overlaps here and there.

            However, in some areas the path leading to courtship and dating can be very similar.  Women in colonial times were expected to be flirtatious, but reject sexual advances. [4] They were supposed to give off a kind of “double standard” where they had to be alluring yet pure. [4] Today, the period before dating can be very complex and confusing as well. Women hold a double standard today. We flirt but pretend we’re not interested, keeping our intentions hidden. [2] Men do the same. When we finally get around to asking someone out on a date, we disguise it as just “hanging out” instead of calling it what it is. [2] Rarely does it start with “Hey, I like you. Let’s go out.” The idea behind dating as blogger Lieberman puts it is “to not care”. [2] Because dating has become so casual, people are afraid of getting hurt—dating does not guarantee marriage the way courting does. As a result, teens have built a code where “whoever cares less wins” to prevent broken hearts and loose promises.  [2] In reality, we want to express our emotions and intentions. On the surface, we act nonchalant and cool. This way, if the situation moves south, we will come out with nothing more than a scratch. Both back then and today, we hold double standards although it may be for different reasons.

            Although I used to think dating and courting were two words for the same thing, I have found that they are not altogether uniform. I find courting to be more refined and definite when compared to dating. It is a stage where you know what to expect for the future—at least with more certainty. Maybe courting was more serious back then because casual public interactions between unwed men and women were so discouraged. As a result, people back then didn’t really get a chance to explore. Today, people have more freedom to date whomever they choose and it has altered the way this kind of relationship should be perceived. From what I understand, dating stands for a relationship that means “more than friends” but not quite “eternal love”.

Citations

[1]. Institute in Basic Life Principles, "How Does Courtship Work?." Accessed February 16, 2014. http://iblp.org/questions/how-does-courtship-work.

[2]. Lieberman, Charlotte. "Why Is College Dating So Screwed Up?." Cosmopolitan, February 10, 2014. http://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/relationship-advice/college-dating-screwed-up (accessed February 14, 2014).

[3]. Moore, Crystal. “Sex in Colonial America”. Charlotte: The History of Sexuality in America from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Accessed February 14, 2014.

[4]. Paltier, Melissa, "History of Sex: Don Juan to Queen Victoria," Watched on California State University, Fullerton website, Web, http://distance-ed.fullerton.edu/bbpresentations/Karul_Ketchum/4his_sex_from_don_juan_to_queen_victoria/player.html.

February Blog-Prostitution

Legalization on Prostitution

 

                    The topic for my February blog is: Should prostitution be legalized and what are the ramifications of doing so? My position towards the legalization of prostitution is that I do not agree that it should be legalized. Prostitution is a nasty business that doesn’t have any positive effects to our society. One reason to not legalize prostitution is that it would lead to increases in sexually transmitted diseases. The lecture on sexual commerce in Victorian America made some good points on the negative effects of prostitution and sex trafficking. During the late nineteenth century, a large percentage of women died o from the contraction of sexually transmitted diseases, such as AIDs and syphilis. Another reason it should not be legalized is because it portrays a poor image of young adults for both men and women. Legalizing a business that is about exchanging money for sex is not a healthy influence and when young people see that it is ok to do then others will follow as well. Furthermore, prostitution usually is associated with drugs, violence, rape, and homicide. A supporting fact from the Victorian lecture is during this century lots of women were forced into this line of work and were pressured to take drugs. After doing drugs consistently, the prostitutes would then have drug addiction problems that made it hard to for them to stop use. Also, when the prostitute exchanged themselves for money, sometimes clients would forcibly rape the workers, as some men did unnecessary violence to women. In our society in the present day, one source of violence connected with prostitution is gangs. Gangs show a lot of violence through the shootings, drugs, and full control of women through sex trafficking. Women should not be forced by men to perform sexual activities for money. They should have the right to choose that option for themselves.

                Though I still believe prostitution should be not legalized, there are some positive effects associated with the legalization of prostitution. The piece of information I found on prostitution provided an explanation of both the pros and cons of legalizing prostitution.  A few reasons for legalizing prostitution is that it would increase tax revenue and bring more people out of poverty. An example is many counties in Nevada have legalized this business and prostitution as it is a victimless crime. A majority of people living in the rural areas of Nevada support the legalizing of prostitution, but oppose it in Las Vegas. Additionally the legalization of prostitution will not only get the prostitutes off the streets, but will allow consenting adults to make their own decision.

 

ProCon.org, "Prostitution." Last modified 5 2, 2014. Accessed February 27, 2014. http://prostitution.procon.org/.

Gormley, Lois. metro archives, "Prostitution pumps millions into Nevada's economy ." Last modified 12 11, 1998. Accessed February 26, 2014. http://www.jour.unr.edu/outpost/community/archives/com.gormley.prostitute.html.