We recently showed two movies for extra credit in our human sexuality class, \Breasts"" and ""Private Dicks.""
Before the semester began, the TAs discussed which movies to show and we had a difficult time deciding on these two. Should we perpetuate the myth that penises and breasts are comparable sexual organs? Is it not our responsibility to educate the fine undergrads of Madison about the clitoris? Don't people have the right to know more about women's physical pleasure?
If the clitoris is THE physical organ that leads to orgasm for most women, how and why have we kept this such a secret? In discussion sections when I ask for slang terms for the women's genitalia, I always get the expected range of ""dirty"" words that connote its smell, taste and appearance. None of them depict the vulva in a positive light, let alone highlight the clitoris. When it comes to describing the penis, however, things change. It is seen as a strong, useful or dangerous, even uncontrollable thing (and very funny). The clitoris is passive, yucky and downright inappropriate for casual conversation'not a joking matter.
Are breasts to blame? Surely, no. Breasts are beautiful, womanly and sexy body parts'all the more so because our society covers them in a cloak of modesty. The documentary ""Breasts"" is a wonderful celebration of women's bodies of all sizes, shapes and races and includes some very poignant and inspiring dialogue between women about their bodies.
My point focuses on the center of female desire and sexual pleasure'the clitoris. Very few women report that they have reached orgasm through manipulation of their nipples or breasts, without accompanying clitoral stimulation. Why then do we as women, focus our sexual identity on our breasts?
Many students at last week's discussion had good ideas on this topic. Breasts are visibly noticeable no matter what a woman is wearing. Your breasts help attract people to you and are socially constructed as sexual objects. Breasts are romanticized (nourishing), idealized (the bigger the better) and fetishized (think, ""Baywatch"") to the point where the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports for the year 2001, more than 219,850 breast augmentation surgeries were performed by doctors affiliated with them.
The clitoris is hidden and small in comparison with the penis'to look at your own, you need a mirror and a flashlight! But my question remains, are they comparable with penises?
The clitoris is the only female organ comparable with a penis. In fact, it is a penis. The clitoris is formed from the same tissues as the penis, and for the most part functions the same as a penis. I was shocked to learn that three-fourths of it is hidden from view and it is, mostly, internally, FOUR INCHES long when erect! It goes through much of the same process as an uncircumcised penis does when sexually aroused, it engorges with blood (vasocongestion) becomes erect and pushes out from behind its ""foreskin,"" the prepuce or ""hood."" Why do we continue to talk about it in terms of smelly foods and painful or ugly bodily traumas?
I call for a reclaiming of the clitoris! The ""nub"" is the hub of sexual pleasure in a woman's body and should be recognized as so. Breasts are great, but women and men need to know the importance of the clitoris and its function in female sexual pleasure. It may seem tiny, but it's impact is huge (and remember that FOUR INCHES!).
