Sex and Power Paradox

[sweetnpetite]

Women are at a disadvantage when it comes to sex becuase when they excersise power, they simultaniously loose power, in a society that sais sex is sinful and dirty, and that sex is degrading to women- particularly as a form of power exchange (gold digger anyone; hooker...)

Women are carefully prevented from using the power of sex, or there sexuality in this model.

No one ever sais with admeration, "she slept her way to the top" or "she slept with the director to get the lead" or "she married a rich old guy for his money" or even "she made her millions in porn" "she paid for college by stipping"

Not to mention, any power gained through sex usually makes her dependent on someone else, on keeping them happy and satisfied and the ballance of power then tips away from her more and more.

Late night ramblings, feel free to discuss.

 

[Huckleman2000]

Sheesh, it's 12:15, and I'm on probation at work for getting there late too often.

Interesting question, though.

 

[amuse bouche]

While your argument has merit, what is also important is that there are a wealth of other power bases other than sex upon which women can base empires.

That said, I've used my sexuality to great effect in a number of subtle ways that have not involved the shedding of my clothes or the compromising of my professional dignity or reputation.

And I believe there's deep truth in the adage that the hand that rocks the cradle, rules the world

 

[NoJo]

While your argument has merit, what is also important is that there are a wealth of other power bases other than sex upon which women can base empires.

I very much agree with that. But envious men will tend to claim that those women have used their sexuality to build those power bases. Which of course means that there's a truth to it, simply becuase that's how the envious men see her.

That said, I've used my sexuality to great effect in a number of subtle ways that have not involved the shedding of my clothes or the compromising of my professional dignity or reputation.

By saying "using your sexuality", you're implying that you exploited people's horniness -- flirted. That's a part of bartering, and obviously not restricted in any way to women.

And I believe there's deep truth in the adage that the hand that rocks the cradle, rules the world

Perhaps. But I'm not sure that our early childhood affects our adult personality quite as unalterably and profoundly as some people say.

Babies are best looked after mainly by the mother. Some women, who for one reason or another have been made to feel powerless in the wide world, relish motherhood, where their authority and power are less contested.

 

[LadyJeanne]

I think it was Bill Maher who said, if women would just agree to all go on strike and cut men off (from sex), they could rule the world in no time.

And then there's this view:

Nature has given women so much power that the law has very wisely given them little. ~Samuel Johnson

 

[Svenskaflicka]

I think it was Bill Maher who said, if women would just agree to all go on strike and cut men off (from sex), they could rule the world in no time.

Or they'd all get raped or served with divorce papers by week 17...

I only use my sexuality to get laid.

 

[LadyJeanne]

Or they'd all get raped or served with divorce papers by week 17...

I only use my sexuality to get laid.

You think it would take a whole 17 weeks?!


I agree with you - sexuality is for sex!

 

[Roxanne Appleby]

Women are at a disadvantage when it comes to sex becuase when they excersise power, they simultaniously loose power, in a society that sais sex is sinful and dirty, and that sex is degrading to women- particularly as a form of power exchange (gold digger anyone; hooker...)

Women are carefully prevented from using the power of sex, or there sexuality in this model.

No one ever sais with admeration, "she slept her way to the top" or "she slept with the director to get the lead" or "she married a rich old guy for his money" or even "she made her millions in porn" "she paid for college by stipping"

Not to mention, any power gained through sex usually makes her dependent on someone else, on keeping them happy and satisfied and the ballance of power then tips away from her more and more.

Late night ramblings, feel free to discuss.

Oh, it's much worse that you describe. It's not just a matter of social injustice, there's cosmic injustice inflicted on women. Women have their greatest power sexually at about age 17, and it's all downhill from there.

This is one of those evolutionary biology things; men are attracted to younger women because they are more able to produce a healthy brood of pups. (The men experience this subjectively as "she's hot!")

Men do not lose their attractiveness to women as they age (within limits) for similar reasons. The old 27-year-old caveman graybeard knows all the best hunting and social tricks and so is better able to provide for mate and brood than the 17-year-old, so women are more attracted to the former, though the latter may be "prettier."

In civilization the age range of male attractiveness of expands upwards (Sean Connery, anyone?), but it does not for women (Bea Arthur, boys?).

It is depressing. Are you sure you want to open this can of worms? Too late, sorry to be a downer.

 

[dysphemist]

I think it was Bill Maher who said, if women would just agree to all go on strike and cut men off (from sex), they could rule the world in no time.

Anytime someone says something like this I think of Aristophanes' comedy Lysistrata. The women didn't rule the world but they stopped a war

 

[BlackShanglan]

Power comes from competition. If I control the supply of something no one wants, or if I have something everyone wants but I give it away liberally to anyone who asks, I no longer derive power from it.

There's the rub. For sex to be power, it must be controlled. Supply and demand sort of thing, if you'll forgive me running home to economics again. Sex is power because it's restricted. If it wasn't, it wouldn't really be that big a deal.

Shanglan

 

[elsol]

Sex and Power
By ElSol

The first sexual encounter ever..

Her: OUWWWW!!! (As Hymen tears.)

Him: ARRGGH!!! (As pussy surrounds his cock.)


Later:

Her: *grunt*gur*growl* (I'm not doing that shit again!)

Him: *GRUNT*GROWL*GUR* (Yeah, we are!)

---

In a world of no laws... no cops... who won that argument and how?

The End

Sincerely,
ElSol

 

[Lord DragonsWing]

Very interesting subject. I've worked with both types. As a nurse, we have new graduates who are jumping in bed with the docs constantly. We also have new grads who take nursing seriously and do their job.
Those who fuck around always get promoted quicker. Which in my point of view is good because they have less knowledge of caring for a patient. No one wants them on the floor.
The scary part is, they're now our supervisors. Try calling one up for an emergency and have them show up confused.
Personally, I feel women work their way to the top as much as anyone. We have a few who try otherwise, and I'm sure that exist in all professions. But overall, I'll work side by side with any woman who can hold her own or teach me something new.
All I ask is this. Treat me with the same respect I give you and be honest with me as I will be with you. If not, well....................

 

[dr_mabeuse]

Maybe it's just where and when I grew up, but from my experience it seemed like women were the first to call one another whores. They used it to keep each other in line, as a way of controlling each other's behavior and rationing sex.

Like most epithets, the word only works if you partly believe it yourself. A sexually active woman who ignored the labels and kept her pride was usually an object of fear and respect--a femme fatale.

 

[SEVERUSMAX]

Women resorted to sex as power because of a more repressive society. If the shoe had been on the other foot, men would have used sex as a weapon. I'm convinced of it. The powerless sex uses sex for power. That doesn't justify it. It just explains it. Women are using it to some extent today out of cultural habit and accepted social norms. Don't forget that society reinforced their use of sex as a weapon by teaching women that sex was NOT for them. That reinforcement would have been impossible for men, because it would be disproved from day one. So, we would have used it as a weapon, but to a lesser extent, and it would have been abandoned the VERY MOMENT that it was no longer necessary.

The answer is a less repressed society, where individual liberty is paramount over social mores and no one needs to use it as a weapon. We have a long way to go to get there. Society needs to remember that it exists for the sake of the individuals of which it is composed. Men and women should be free, as individuals, not as sexes, to do with their lives what they damn well see fit.

Mind you, I doubt that the shoe could EVER have been on the other foot for very long. The men's liberation movement would have resorted to violent revolution to overthrow the existing order, and they would have succeeded.

 

[BlackSnake]

Pussy power 101.

Supply and demand. Woman have an unlimited supply and men have an unlimited demand for it.

If men could have sex with any woman that he wanted, his demand would drop. Any married people here?