Social representations of female orgasm

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Gender Studies

Background:

• Female orgasm is often narrowly defined by physiological metrics.
• Social and cultural contexts significantly shape sexual experiences and perceptions.
• Previous research has not fully explored the interplay between scientific representations and lived experiences of female orgasm.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine women's social representations of female orgasm.
• To compare these representations with magazine content over three decades.
• To understand how social context influences women's subjective experience of sexual health and orgasm.

Main Methods:

• Conducted 50 semi-structured interviews with British women.
• Thematically analyzed interview data.
• Compared findings with content analysis of female orgasm in two women's magazines (30-year period).

Main Results:

• Orgasm is primarily viewed as the goal of sex, with emphasis on physiology.
• Both women and magazines integrate relational and emotional aspects with physiological ones.
• Scientifically-driven representations can induce feelings of failure, particularly for women experiencing orgasm difficulties, but these are also resisted.

Conclusions:

• Social representations of female orgasm are multifaceted, blending physiological, relational, and emotional dimensions.
• The social context plays a crucial role in women's subjective experiences of sexual health and orgasm.
• There is a tension between scientific definitions and lived experiences, leading to both pressure and resistance.