Quote Reflection #2

“Sexuality can, indeed, be a site of oppression, but it can also be a terrain for the development of women’s positive and liberating desires, feelings and ideas.” - Mariana Valverde

Patriarchal systems have been trying to control a women’s body in a variety of ways for many years. This can be seen in the debate over abortion rights, heterosexism, and the romancing of monogamy. As long as these ideas prevail, women’s sexuality will be oppressed. Women are not free to explore their own sexuality without being judged and labeled as less than respectable, often called a ‘whore’, based on the negative stigma associated with prostitution and other members of the sex trade. There is a double standard between men and women and their sexual behaviours, with men able to sleep with as many women as they desire, but with women expected to remain monogamous to one man. Heterosexuality is presented as the only ‘natural’ option, with homosexuals experiencing a great deal of oppression in society. As long as anyone is oppressed based on being different, women’s sexuality will remain “a site of oppression” (Valverde, 31).

Decriminalizing prostitution would be a step towards women’s liberation, allowing all women the ability to work in their chosen field no matter what that may be. While it would not immediately remove the stigma associated with sex trade workers, it would be a step in the right direction. All women should be free to explore their own sexuality without risking oppression as a result. There should be no shame associated with the naked human body or sex, but the media contributes to this distorted reality. In a society where nudity is kept off mainstream television but where violence and coarse language is prevalent, shame associated with sexuality should be expected. Changing the systems currently in place will result in positive change for women and all people.


Works Cited:

Valverde, Mariana. “Too Much Heat, Not Enough Light.” Good Girls/Bad Girls: Sex Trade Workers and Feminists Face to Face. Toronto: The Women’s Press, 1987. 27-32.