Are modern Feminists anti-sex?

[CharlesPhipps]

All the ones I know love it.

[clearspira]

I wouldn't say "anti-sex" is an entirely accurate label. I doubt many feminists are anti-lesbian-sex. Unless it involves white people, because of political overlap, but I hope that's fairly rare. There are feminists who are against sex with men, because of course there are.

But I think most "anti-sex" feminists are more anti-sexy than anti-sex. They don't want women sexualized (I won't say "objectified" because it's a little stupid) for the entertainment of men. They may have more practical concerns, e.g., that women may suffer more anxiety over their appearance due to the emphasis on attractiveness (which I think happens, though I don't know to what degree) or that by treating women as sex objects it may encourage sexual assault (I did a quick search for solid evidence for this and didn't find any, outside of some short-term effects of viewing violent porn).

Of course men are also presented as attractive or not, and may similarly fall victim to anxiety about our appearance (maybe to a greater extent than women [url]https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2012/jan/06/body-image-concerns-men-more-than-women[/url]) but, to be fair, men being sexualized too doesn't make it less important when it happens to women. Because men on average are much stronger than women, sexualization of men encouraging sexual assault is probably less of a concern.

I'm not trying to legitimize this area of feminism; I think there are valid concerns but I think they're way over-stated.

Yeah, anti-sexy is a good shout.

Fat woman in bikini: You go girl! So brave! Body positive! Smash the patriarchy! Fat pride!

Sexy woman in bikini: Ugh, stop objectifying women.

Again, not a stereotype if it keeps happening. And this one keeps on happening: feminists hating women who are better looking than themselves and claiming there is some great reason for it.

[pilight]

It's best not to generalize about groups of people

[Mecha82]

It's best not to generalize about groups of people

Funny thing is ones that like to generalize feminists tend to be people that don't like it when they group is being generalized.

[LittleRaven]

Modern feminism does not present a united front on this issue. (or much of any issue, honestly) Many feminists are so called "sex-positive," and believe that any form of sexual expression is empowering so long as the woman in question embraces it. Many others believe the "sexpos" movement has resulted in a culture in which women are culturally pressured into demeaning themselves for the sake of male attention. Some feminists believe sex work needs to be legalized, others believe it needs to be cracked down on. You can come up with feminist arguments for any of these positions, and find adherents on all sides who label themselves "feminist."

[Darth Wedgius]

It's best not to generalize about groups of people

Funny thing is ones that like to generalize feminists tend to be people that don't like it when they group is being generalized.

I believe that is a generalization.

[Yukaphile]

What about women on bikini ads who love the appeal of many men looking at them, finding them gorgeous? Feminists criticize that, but if the woman genuinely enjoys it, what is there to feel wrong about that?

[CharlesPhipps]

What about women on bikini ads who love the appeal of many men looking at them, finding them gorgeous? Feminists criticize that, but if the woman genuinely enjoys it, what is there to feel wrong about that?

Yukaphile are familiar with sex positive feminism? Specifically, sex positive feminism that supports women having a right to engage in pornography, stripping, and prostitution?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex-positive_feminism

Video game reviewer Liana K is one and frequently points out that the patriarchy is all about denying women the right to bodily autonomy, sexual gratification, and indulging in sexual activity for their own reasons (be they pleasure, pay, or the feeling of satisfaction from being desired). She also opposes feminism that attacks women who engage in sex work, are all about sexualization for themselves, or believe sexualization is demeaning.

I'm a sex positive feminist, FYI.

[Yukaphile]

That'd be me then.

[LittleRaven]

Feminists criticize that, but if the woman genuinely enjoys it, what is there to feel wrong about that?

Some feminists criticize that, generally on the basis that while it may be empowering for the individual woman, it contributes to a social view of women that most women cannot live up to and will therefore suffer from. And that's certainly a valid argument. But others feminists will celebrate our bikini model, with the view that anything that empowers an individual woman should be praised as a feminist act.

Feminism is a wide, WIDE movement these days. So wide that many feminists are worried it's becoming diffuse to the point of powerlessness.