The Student Room Group

Is "Sex positive feminism" a joke?

For example, look at the music industry. People like Beyonce claim to be feminist but then sexualise themselves heavily on stage, probably contributing to the "portrayal of women as sex objects in the media" claimed by feminist thinking. Do you think that this is hypocritical or stupid?

Or what about left wing men who claim to be feminist but then stigmatise people for being more sexually conservative, especially women. Are they "feminist" just for their own benefit so they can get laid more/is that why they support women being more sexualised and "liberated"? Sites like Suicide Girls for instance claim to be for "sex positive feminism" and all "empowering" but are actually just porn of trashy looking girls and the site is run by a man probably for mens' benefit too.

In b4 "all feminism is a joke" - rep me please for this not the next person who says it :rofl:

Dis gun be gud
Feminist hypocrisy knows no bounds. Seriously, you're wasting your time trying to discern anything intelligible from these people.
Reply 3
Feminists will lose their marbles if they see a woman treated like a sex object, but love Beyonce! They're the definition of hypocritical.
Reply 4
Original post by Macy1998
Feminists will lose their marbles if they see a woman treated like a sex object, but love Beyonce! They're the definition of hypocritical.


Beyonce is choosing it, but she does put out a really "sexualised" image.. probably contributing to it
Reply 5
Whilst sex-positive feminism can sometimes be too uncritical regarding context and so forth, bodily autonomy has long been a feminist issue and the ability for consenting adults to express their sexuality is a part of that.

Unfortunately this sometimes can be manifested in the shaming of people who are asexual or are less extroverted in their own sexuality, and unfortunately it's also rather appealing to macktivists who are just looking to get laid; however, I think it's probably the right way forward.
Whenever a feminist likes a particular person (eg Beyonce) they are a sexually-liberated and independent woman. If they don't like them then they will argue that they are contributing to the objectification of women.

Stay consistent at the very least...
I was on a feminist site last night and they were discussing the actress Francis Barber and her tweet about being abused in a cab, for the way she was dressed, by a Muslim Uber taxi driver.
The same people that regularly say all women should always be believed when accusing a man of abuse, sexual assault or rape were openly accusing her of lying about her abuse in the taxi.
"She's of an age that any publicity is good publicity" was one charming post.
I know they like to operate a system of stacking privilege but the way they were willing to throw another woman under the bus (or taxi in this case) because a Muslim out trumps a woman even for many feminists was comical to watch.
I've long since given up trying to understand the cognitive dissonance that many of them practice.
Original post by caravaggio2

I know they like to operate a system of stacking privilege but the way they were willing to throw another woman under the bus (or taxi in this case) because a Muslim out trumps a woman even for many feminists was comical to watch.
.


Hahaha this is brilliant
Original post by SallyMae
For example, look at the music industry. People like Beyonce claim to be feminist but then sexualise themselves heavily on stage, probably contributing to the "portrayal of women as sex objects in the media" claimed by feminist thinking. Do you think that this is hypocritical or stupid?

Or what about left wing men who claim to be feminist but then stigmatise people for being more sexually conservative, especially women. Are they "feminist" just for their own benefit so they can get laid more/is that why they support women being more sexualised and "liberated"? Sites like Suicide Girls for instance claim to be for "sex positive feminism" and all "empowering" but are actually just porn of trashy looking girls and the site is run by a man probably for mens' benefit too.

In b4 "all feminism is a joke" - rep me please for this not the next person who says it :rofl:



I see it as neither hypocrisy or stupidity, I would say that Beyonce has created her identity around the concept of her banging vocal talent and physical. I'd say she hasn't sexualised herself rather than used her body as a tool of liberation. I'd say the same for Lady Gaga and Taylor Swift. It isn't necessarily about sex appeal, but being proud of one's body and physical form.

At the end of the day, if I had Beyonce's figure, I would happily perform in her clothes and using that as apart of her performance on stage isn't trashy in my opinion. I think she remains to have a classy side to her with her family and private life. If she exploited relationship status' etc then I may be inclined to agree with you.

So my question to you is: does the sexualisation come from pre-planned marketing, or the society that marketers work to?
Firstly, anyone who aspires to Beyonce as the beacon of feminism needs a reality check. Secondly, feminism has become a joke. It's no longer dealing with choice but a sort of fascism that is more interested in discussing 'man-spreading' than genital mutilation or for banning words such as 'bossy'. Pathetic.
I don't see how it's "hypocrisy" if Beyonce claims to be a feminist and is against women being portrayed as sex objects and dresses sexily herself.Surely it enhances her initial message of, no matter what a woman wears, under no circumstances should be identified or even closely identified to a "sex object".
I think that the entire point of the sex positive feminism movement is that women can be sexual creatures, and be confident in their sexuality, but it's not always for the benefit of men. That's really why it started, because the sexualisation of women was always treated as something that had to be appreciated by men, not simply as a means of women being confident in themselves. In regards to how this leads to the portrayal of women as sex objects in the media, tbh, I don't think that's our fault, so much as the media's fault for intentionally misconstruing our message. As I said before, it's not always about pleasing men, but the media will convey that message because that's what sells; those are the social norms that we have become accustomed to, that women, as sexual objects, can only be enjoyed by men. This movement aims to break down that ideology. That's my understanding, anyway.
"trashy looking girls".

The moment when OP lost all credibility.
Original post by Aceadria
Firstly, anyone who aspires to Beyonce as the beacon of feminism needs a reality check. Secondly, feminism has become a joke. It's no longer dealing with choice but a sort of fascism that is more interested in discussing 'man-spreading' than genital mutilation or for banning words such as 'bossy'. Pathetic.


Honestly, Beyonce isn't my feminist icon, more rather referencing her for the sake of example. Caitlin Moran however, is a prime candidate for the title. The problem is, you're associating misogyny with feminism. Feminism, by definition, is the advocacy of women's rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes; not the one in which females are supreme.
I'd honestly love to believe that you'd understand but you're obviously not going to listen about how you're looking at the mainstream media represented topics that are spread rather than the consistent campaigns by other feminist writers and activists.
Original post by rjsoutham
Honestly, Beyonce isn't my feminist icon, more rather referencing her for the sake of example. Caitlin Moran however, is a prime candidate for the title.
The problem is, you're associating misogyny with feminism. Feminism, by definition, is the advocacy of women's rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes; not the one in which females are supreme.


Your definition of feminism is far too narrow and ignores historical and changing views on the movement. But that is beyond the scope of this discussion.


Original post by rjsoutham
I'd honestly love to believe that you'd understand but you're obviously not going to listen about how you're looking at the mainstream media represented topics that are spread rather than the consistent campaigns by other feminist writers and activists.


I'd love to believe that you are intellectually capable of asking me questions before jumping to conclusions. Re-read my post about what feminism has become and not what it used to be.
Original post by SallyMae
For example, look at the music industry. People like Beyonce claim to be feminist but then sexualise themselves heavily on stage, probably contributing to the "portrayal of women as sex objects in the media" claimed by feminist thinking. Do you think that this is hypocritical or stupid?

Or what about left wing men who claim to be feminist but then stigmatise people for being more sexually conservative, especially women. Are they "feminist" just for their own benefit so they can get laid more/is that why they support women being more sexualised and "liberated"? Sites like Suicide Girls for instance claim to be for "sex positive feminism" and all "empowering" but are actually just porn of trashy looking girls and the site is run by a man probably for mens' benefit too.

In b4 "all feminism is a joke" - rep me please for this not the next person who says it :rofl:



Sex-positive feminists are just feminists who aren't puritans. You are just a moral conservative.

Quick Reply

Latest