Feminism-Sex War 2010

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The Sex Wars

During the 1970s, much of the discourse in the feminist movement was dominated by discussions of lesbian feminism.

Toward the end of the decade, however, the conversations within feminism began to focus on a new topic: sexuality. This included sexuality of all types, not just lesbian sexuality. Included in the discussions and debates were heterosexuality, pornography, sadomasochism, butch/femme roles, and prostitution.

One of the issues, pornography, was quickly taken up by some in the feminist movement as a central issue, and so the anti-pornography feminist movement was born. Very soon afterward, there was a reaction against this movement, a reaction which is termed “pro-sex” feminism.

The two sides of this debate quickly became heated and passionate, thus became the Sex Wars.

Key Issues of the Sex Wars:

What is the fundamental nature of sex and sexuality?

Is pornography an issue of violence against women or an issue of free speech?

Which kinds of sex are appropriate and politically correct and which are not?

Who gets to decide?

How did each side of the debate characterize themselves and how were they characterized by their opponents?

In what ways did the debates around sexuality affect lesbian women?

How are people still being affected today?

Sarah Lucas: Au Naturel Amna Malik

Does art have a sex? And if so, what does it look like?' With these questions Amna Malik opens her study of Sarah Lucas's Au Naturel (1994), an assemblage of objects that suggest male and female body parts.

In Au Naturel, 'sex' appears with no apparent morality attached - no implication of guilt, shame or embarrassment. The sardonic and irreverent nature of Lucas's observations challenges assumptions about what kind of art women artists make. This, Malik proposes, is the significance of Lucas's work for a later generation of female artists who no longer feel obliged to insist on questions of gender and sexual politics in their work.

Interesting mentality directly in response to feminist movement..?

Rebelle: Feminism and the Haunting of History

The recent exhibition 'rebelle: Art and Feminism 1969-2009' (2009), at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Arnhem.

Shadi Ghadirian, 'Like Everyday (Domestic Life) 08'

Underwear Options..

A pocket for your mobile phone, just to take advantage of the vibration alert. Practical? Who wants to reach into their underpants beneath layers of fabric in public?

Hairy print underwear from Helsinki. Fairly humorous. Obviously not for pleasure, function or particular sex appeal. Just for laughs.

Camel Toe Insert, is this ever a positive enhancing look? Surely no one would consider this in a way other then a joke..

Spanish Leggings

How promiscuous do you feel today? A hop-skip-jump away from forehead tattoos reading 'no chance' or 'lets go'..? OR does it empower women by the terminology 'warrior' and 'fatal'?

From Bottom Up:

Demure
Discreet
Subtle
Flirtatious
Sensual
Moody
Seductive
Provocative
Bold
Shameless
Warrior
Fatal

Reiki Healing

Reiki healing is the usage of spiritual energy to heal a person's aura or physical situation. Reiki actually translates to "Universal Life Force Energy." Reiki and massage are two separate things; massage is the process of rubbing or kneading different parts of the body for therapeutic reasons or purposes. Reiki in itself does not involve any physical contact. Therapists who are trained in Reiki will combine the two practices for optimal results in therapy. Licensed therapists often take Reiki classes in order to learn how to use the energy to promote spiritual well-being as well as physical well-being in their treatments.

The usual treatment of Reiki massage begins at the head and works its way through the seven different chakras. The hand placements coincide with the seven major chakras or energy centers of the physical body.

Reiki Healing is used to help patients manage pain (similar to regular massage) however, differs because the practitioner does not knead or manipulate the tissues or muscles of the patient. Instead, the hands of the practitioner remain still, and the energy of healing is sent through the channels of the practitioner into the patient. It is not necessary for there to be skin-to-skin contact.

Reiki is used to treat conditions such as muscle pain, tension, stress, injury healing, pain management and over 60 other medical ailments. There are seven different areas or chakras of the body used to treat different ailments and illnesses in the body.

Reiki treatments are said to be one hundred percent safe; they do not incur any side effects or injuries. There are sensations that are felt, but they are different for different people. Some people experience a sensation of warmth or tingling. Others experience a spirit of relaxation and balance. Depending on the patient, Reiki treatments have been known to show results immediately or over a period of extended time.

Tantric Massage

The majority of people have heard of Tantric Massage or Tantric Sex; intimate touching, rubbing and caressing with a possibly orgasm. Basically, my knowledge solely comes from the brief scenes in a Sex In The City episode with 'Charlotte' convinces her three friends to join her in Tantric Massage classes.

Many people may be under the impression that tantric massage is all about penetrative sex, but they are incorrect with this assumption. Tantric massage is an actual massage technique that is created from believing that sexual happiness and relaxation will contribute to better health and provide other benefits. “Tantra” is the Hindu word meaning “personal growth in a pleasurable existence.”

Tantric massage can result in orgasm, but that is not the main objective of this form of massage. It does involve touching of the intimate organs but does not include penetrative sex. The exception is when this type of massage is provided in massage parlors in major cities across the world that tend to offer a “full range” of services and sex is the primary focus. Nudity is optional, although many find the experience to be enhanced when clothing is removed.

Tantric massage is best performed in a quiet room with accompanying soft music. The partner should lie on his back with legs spread apart, and a cushion should be placed beneath the hips. The head should also be raised enough to view the genitals. During the massage every part of the body to be touched with the private areas getting much of the attention. The object of massaging the other is to prepare him for the intimate touch and fondling that will follow. When these techniques are properly administered, tantric massage will teach the partners techniques for relaxation and arousal of the senses that will bring the partners closer together.

Using this method of massage, a person can easily learn which parts of his partner’s body are receptive to the touch and these areas can include the neck, scalp, inside of elbows, solar plexus, hands and feet and of course, the genital areas. One can often experience near orgasm from parts that are not obvious erogenous zones.

The advantage of tantric massage is that it allows the partner to touch areas of the body that a massage therapist would never venture to, and this will offer benefits to parts of the body that have been greatly stressed from activities such as sitting behind an office desk all day. For a change in routine, partners can experiment with different massage accessories and massage oils that can promote the release of endorphins while making the massage process itself smoother and more relaxing.