The third section of Sex is Not a Natural Act, Feminism and Sexuality, takes us to about the halfway point of the book. My overall impression of the chapters contained within is, “Not completely miserable.”
Unfortunately, Feminism and Sexuality is also a return to heavy academic language and theory:
“Diverse erotic lives and new methods of reproduction are possible because of psychological processes such as symbolization and conditioning that are connected to ever-changing cultural formations.” (Location 1526.)
Oh goddammit.
Thinking caps on, everyone! Oh, you’re all already wearing your thinking caps, and so am I… Better make mine a double then!
By now I’m more used to Tiefer’s academia, but I still needed to re-read several passages from Feminism and Sexuality in order to absorb their messages.
Some of these essays, particularly the first, are semi-autobiographical. The reader gets a better idea of Tiefer’s experience and history, especially as it relates to feminism. This first essay consists of a paper presented to the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality in 1993 upon receiving their Kinsey Award.
This chapter contains Tiefer’s thoughts on feminist humor – and she fancies herself quite funny indeed!
What determines whether a joke is inherently feminist or not?
Intent.
But wait a minute - looking at intent alone is not enough. Evil, real consequences spring forth from well-meaning actions. You have to look at the consequences of your actions. Even if that action is telling – what you think is – a feminist joke. Because what happens when you don’t look at intent?
Because when you ignore intent, you get this shit. You get a bunch of partner-blaming, bullying, condescending bullshit, flagrant misogyny, and denial of real medical conditions. You get a bunch of people who deny that FSD is real, because after all they don’t have it themselves and it’s all a bunch of made up hysterical hooey right? You don’t have FSD, it’s all in your head. Maybe if your husband would do the dishes once in awhile you’d have enough energy for a sex drive. No.
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