Intelligence Squared

The Sunday Debate: Has Sex Positivity Harmed Feminism?

Jul 3, 2022
Christine Emba, a Washington Post columnist and author of "Rethinking Sex: A Provocation," joins Dossie Easton, therapist and co-author of "The Ethical Slut," to tackle controversial questions about sex positivity and its effects on feminism. They discuss whether modern sexual freedom truly empowers women or merely reflects societal pressures. The conversation dives into the orgasm gap, the role of men in feminist discourse, and the vital importance of comprehensive sex education, urging a reexamination of intimacy and ethical boundaries.
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INSIGHT

Modern Sex Positivity

  • Modern "sex positivity" pressures people to be "up for anything."
  • This can hinder expressing discomfort or setting boundaries, thus limiting freedom.
INSIGHT

Consent as Collaboration

  • Dossie Easton emphasizes active collaboration in consent, prioritizing pleasure and well-being.
  • She connects personal sexual empowerment with broader feminist goals.
ANECDOTE

Working with Transgressors

  • Dossie Easton recounts working with a man known for using date rape drugs.
  • He expressed shame after discussing his transgressions in her class.
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