Thursday, August 30, 2012

Blog 1: How a vaginal cream ad has prompted debate about sexuality in India.



Samira Shackle, a writer for the Guardian, talks about a new vaginal cream in India named “18 again”, that helps women "Feel like a Virgin" again. According to the article, it is frowned upon to engage in premarital sex of any kind and if so you are looked at as being promiscuous.  Shackle writes, “While India is fast becoming the next superpower, this rapid economic growth is not matched by a corresponding sexual revolution.” So why are there still parts of the world that consider sex as taboo? The ability and power to control a woman’s body is at the forefront of this obsession with the issue. In places one would consider lower class, women face extreme social ostracism for this that could result sometimes in death. However, creators of the product argue that it too “empower” women rights. Yet who are they really targeting?

I think this is a global issue because women around the world still don’t have complete control over their sexuality/bodies. Men are rarely frowned upon for having multiple sexual partners, yet in many countries women are seen as the not marriage material. This sexual inequality is happening more than people think. In Africa, the Togolese women are organizing a sex strike against the men in their village in an effort to overthrow their President. (Togolese Women) What kind of platform does this set for future generations? That is a major perspective when it comes to the idea that young girls will see themselves as a sexual object and not just a person. In the global spectrum, women all over are looked at as being sexual symbols and tools to get men involved whether in politics or the media. For example, during this election year, one major issue is indeed women’s right to have an abortion and the use of contraception. Yes, this is a social problem that affects the world all over not just in America.      

 http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/aug/29/vaginal-cream-ad-sexuality-india

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/togolese-women-vow-sex-strike-to-press-for-resignation-of-president-faure-gnassingbe/2012/08/26/7897d33e-ef74-11e1-b74c-84ed55e0300b_story.html 

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