The lies we tell pregnant women | Sofia Jawed-Wessel

TL;DR

In this thought-provoking talk, the speaker discusses the objectification of women, the stigma around pregnancy and sex, and the importance of prioritizing women's sexual pleasure.

Transcript

Translator: Joseph Geni Reviewer: Joanna Pietrulewicz We're going to share a lot of secrets today, you and I, and in doing so, I hope that we can lift some of the shame many of us feel about sex. How many here have ever been catcalled by a stranger? Lots of women. For me, the time I remember best is when that stranger was a student of mine. He came... Read More

Key Insights

• 💼 Objectification of women is the foundation of sexism and is reinforced through various aspects of society including government, advertisements, and media.
• 📺 The media, particularly romantic comedies, often portray women in limited and stereotypical roles, reinforcing the idea that women have two roles - the sexy bombshell or the desirable yet modest love interest.
• 🤰 Pregnant women face objectification and loss of agency, as they are often treated as vessels of reproduction and subject to unwarranted opinions and restrictions.
• 🔬 There is a lack of acknowledgement and support for women's sexual pleasure, with society placing emphasis on men's pleasure and reproduction.
• 🗣 Conversations about sex and comprehensive sex education are crucial in dismantling systems of inequality and empowering individuals to prioritize sexual needs and desires.
• 🚺 Everyone has a role to play in fighting for women's equality, including respecting bodily autonomy, supporting reproductive rights, and challenging societal norms and attitudes.
• 🔐 The Willendorf effect highlights the objectification and restrictions faced by pregnant women, which are often classist and racist in nature.
• 🌟 Disrupting patterns of inequality and prioritizing women's autonomy and pleasure is essential for creating a more equitable and inclusive society.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the concept of objectification and how does it contribute to sexism?

Objectification is the concept of treating individuals as objects or commodities, rather than as human beings. It is the foundation of sexism because it reduces women to mere objects, reinforcing stereotypes and perpetuating inequality.

Q: How does the media contribute to the objectification of women?

The media plays a significant role in perpetuating the objectification of women. This can be seen in advertisements that use women's bodies to sell unrelated products, as well as in movies that portray women primarily as love interests. These examples contribute to a culture that fails to recognize women as fully realized individuals.

Q: What is the Willendorf effect and how does it impact pregnant women?

The Willendorf effect refers to the transition pregnant women experience, from being objects of sexual desire to being seen solely as vessels for reproduction. This objectification extends to various aspects of a pregnant woman's life, such as strangers inappropriately touching her belly, unsolicited advice about what she can eat, and the denial of bodily autonomy.

Q: How does society undermine women's sexual pleasure?

Society undermines women's sexual pleasure by dismissing and marginalizing it. Pregnant women, for example, are often discouraged from engaging in sexual activity during pregnancy, contributing to the notion that their needs and desires are unimportant. Additionally, society frequently fails to acknowledge the existence of women who have sex with women or women who choose not to have children, erasing their experiences and desires.

Q: How can individuals contribute to dismantling systems of inequality?

Each individual can contribute to dismantling systems of inequality by challenging societal norms and taking actions to promote equality. This includes refraining from telling women what they can or cannot do with their bodies, supporting women's reproductive rights even if personally opposed to abortion, prioritizing a partner's sexual pleasure, having open conversations about sex with children, and advocating for comprehensive and non-shaming sex education. Every day, there are opportunities to disrupt patterns of inequality, and it is worth the effort to do so.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The speaker addresses the issue of objectification of women, discussing how it is perpetuated through various aspects of society, such as government, advertisements, and media portrayals.

• The speaker emphasizes the impact of objectification during pregnancy, highlighting the lack of autonomy, privacy, and trust given to pregnant women and how it is tied to classism and racism.

• The speaker calls for society to recognize and prioritize women's sexual pleasure and desires, as well as advocating for comprehensive sex education and dismantling systems of inequality.