Why is there suppression of female sexual instincts? Why does society fear a woman expressing her physical needs? Read below to have a deeper insight into these matters.
Feminine outlooks and expressions have been suppressed from time immemorial. Just like men, women were central in making society and building civilization, however, due to their ability to procreate, which ironically is an added advantage, their position is marginalized on Earth.
In an ancient world, where the feminine folk had no liberty of education, the expression of their sexual desires or instincts were almost non-existent; while, on the contrary, when it came to men, it was quite overtly expressed in the ancient literary texts.
Zeus, the Greek god of thunder is known for his infidelity. Hercules of Roman literature is known for his vigour of ravishing 50 virgins in a single night. Women throughout the ancient texts have been portrayed as creatures who are desired deeply but have no liberty to desire for her own.
In ancient Greek, women were considered as the property of men. In Rome, the wife and the children belonged solely to the man in the house, and adultery for a female was reason enough for a husband to kill his wife.
“Ye ladkiyon ki baski baaki baat nhi” (the matter is beyond the reach of girls) is something we hear every now and then.
Why Is There A Suppression Of Female Sexual Instincts?
Why does society fear a woman expressing her physical needs? The answer to these questions runs in parallel to patriarchy.
As per the patriarchal norms, a woman has no right to have charge over her body. The body of a woman belongs only to the man she is married to. Also, having any sort of physical relationship before marriage or even engaging in the activity of self-pleasure is considered as an attack on her ‘chastity’.
The baseless notions of ‘Hysteria’ which dates back to the 19th century serve as a proof to the lengths of grotesquery the ancient world went to retain the patriarchal orde.
In and around 1900 BC, Hysteria was a mental disorder limited only to females. The symptoms included irritability, sexual urges, sexual frustration, nervousness and as Mother Jones reports “excessive vaginal lubrication” and “erotic fantasy” was a part of the ‘disorder’ as well.
As per the researchers from the University of Cagliari, Italy, and the Egyptian texts, the condition was caused by the movement of the womb throughout the body of a female. The cure of this absurd disease was Female genetic mutilation, wherein the vagina was tormented with electrical devices, a strong shower spray or even a pelvic massage by a male physician was provided.
Clitoridectomy, the removal of the clitoris was observed as another successful method of cure. Any woman who dared to question felt hateful of her husband, or step beyond the line was declared hysterical and was subjected to clitoridectomy or masturbation under brutal techniques.
“Uterus is like a living creature that wanders through out a woman’s body blocking passages, obstructing breathing and causing disease”
– Plato
This thought gets internalized in a majority of girls who become prey to self-loathing when they touch themselves for pleasure for the first time. Virginity is seen as a primary criterion while selecting a wife in many Indian households until today.
However, when it comes to men, they are free to have intercourse before marriage because of course, they are the creatures with biologically uncontrollable sexual urges.
‘The two-finger test’ despite being declared illegal on the accounts of being “unscientific, inhuman and degrading” by the Supreme Court, is still largely carried out under the table.
It’s a test for checking the virginity of a sexually assaulted woman, on the basis of the presence and absence of the hymen, along with the “laxity” of the vagina, which indicates whether the victim is habitual to coitus or not.
Such hideous practices reveal the extent to which the sexuality of women is suppressed throughout the world. Repression of female sexual desires and their conversion into a taboo is the best way to rob women from humanly privileges and establish a 100% full proof control on their being, or precisely ensuring the flag of patriarchy is still waving.
Express yourself, encourage others to do the same and help establish a better society. Express. Encourage. Establish, because your life and body are yours and nobody else’s.
Image Credits: Vice
Previously Published on Du beat