“Clitoris. Clitoris. Clitoris. Clitoris,” is part of a juvenile conversation I had with myself years ago. A graduate psychology student, I’d been assigned to give a lecture on sexual and gender identity disorders. At the time, I knew nothing about the topic and would have preferred something less awkward; say, a merry little research jaunt down bipolar or schizophrenia lane.
Instead, my professor gave me the pleasure of stretching my mouth around words and phrases like clit, ambiguous genitalia, and gynecomastia. I practiced saying, “Penis. Penis. Penis. Penis...”—and every other sexually charged word—until I no longer smirked when I did.
My memory reflects just how uncomfortable it is for many Americans to “include sex and sexuality as pleasurable and natural in open frank conversation about the human condition,” to quote Dr. Joycelyn Elders, writing a commentary in the October issue of the Journal of Sexual Medicine (JSM).
Elder’s essay is part of a supplement to the JSM that includes the National Survey of Sexual Health and Behaviors (NSSHB)—one of the largest investigations into the bedroom behaviors of Americans since Kinsey’s work the 1930s and ’40s. The information gleaned from 5,868 adolescents and adults willing to bare all reflect our changing sexual landscape and a continued need to structure relevant public health policy.
“At a time when we can have nudity on HBO but cannot use the names of our genitals on the evening news, there remains a need to continue research on sexual health,” says Irwin Goldstein, Editor-in-Chief of the JSM and medical director of San Diego Sexual Medicine at Alvarado Hospital.
He echoes the sentiments of the researchers who acknowledge that we’ve got to know what folks are doing first, before we can develop and deliver “social service and health programs related to sexuality and sexual health.” But what exactly is sexual health? We tend to focus on sexually transmitted diseases, reproduction and fertility, the risks associated with certain practices, or a person’s general ability to get randy at a moment’s notice.
What is evident is that we still have a lot to incorporate into the dialogue, including the unpopular news that not all sex acts are created equal. The benefits of sex are inequitable with respect to gender, kink and homosexuality.
Instead, my professor gave me the pleasure of stretching my mouth around words and phrases like clit, ambiguous genitalia, and gynecomastia. I practiced saying, “Penis. Penis. Penis. Penis...”—and every other sexually charged word—until I no longer smirked when I did.
My memory reflects just how uncomfortable it is for many Americans to “include sex and sexuality as pleasurable and natural in open frank conversation about the human condition,” to quote Dr. Joycelyn Elders, writing a commentary in the October issue of the Journal of Sexual Medicine (JSM).
Elder’s essay is part of a supplement to the JSM that includes the National Survey of Sexual Health and Behaviors (NSSHB)—one of the largest investigations into the bedroom behaviors of Americans since Kinsey’s work the 1930s and ’40s. The information gleaned from 5,868 adolescents and adults willing to bare all reflect our changing sexual landscape and a continued need to structure relevant public health policy.
“At a time when we can have nudity on HBO but cannot use the names of our genitals on the evening news, there remains a need to continue research on sexual health,” says Irwin Goldstein, Editor-in-Chief of the JSM and medical director of San Diego Sexual Medicine at Alvarado Hospital.
He echoes the sentiments of the researchers who acknowledge that we’ve got to know what folks are doing first, before we can develop and deliver “social service and health programs related to sexuality and sexual health.” But what exactly is sexual health? We tend to focus on sexually transmitted diseases, reproduction and fertility, the risks associated with certain practices, or a person’s general ability to get randy at a moment’s notice.
What is evident is that we still have a lot to incorporate into the dialogue, including the unpopular news that not all sex acts are created equal. The benefits of sex are inequitable with respect to gender, kink and homosexuality.
Super-interesting read!
I just had to give a presentation with words like that and I'm a Media Study undergrad. Strange. I already got the "penis practice" out of the way when I found out that i was having a baby boy over 5 years ago though. Seriously, I used to practice daily so I could teach him the proper words.
Hi Kim,
Thank you. It was a very cool story to research, I've got to say. And with a baby boy at home, I know you are always dealing with some mischief. I think you are on to something with your comment...to teach the real words or not? That is the question for many parents...
Wow, great article! Really thought provoking.
great article!