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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/18990
Description
Title
Behind closed doors: Men's conquest sex talk
Author(s)
Gilmore, Sean Michael
Issue Date
1995
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Kramarae, Cheris
Department of Study
Speech Communication
Discipline
Speech Communication
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
Psychology, Social
Women's Studies
Speech Communication
Language
eng
Abstract
This dissertation is an analysis of young men's sex talk. In order to collect data for this study methodological triangulation was employed. In all, 39 interviews were conducted and transcribed concerning how men talk about sex. Notes from seven workshops concerning men's sex talk, in which 118 men attended, were also collected. In addition, men attending these workshops and various courses were asked to write thought papers concerning any dimension of men's sex talk and a total of 225 were collected. Sixty surveys were also completed concerning men's sex talk.
"In this study it was found that the men employed a sexual discourse that positioned sex as a game, men as players, and women as objects to be scored. Specifically, men employed informal brag sessions, bets, contests, and point systems to determine who had achieved the most interesting and challenging sexual achievements. Within this discursive reality men who achieved advanced sexual activity with multiple women of high physical attractiveness were given positive regard and respect. Often these men who achieved this type of sexual conquest were labeled ""studs,"" ""mac-daddies,"" ""casanovas,"" and most commonly ""players."" These were all positive terms signifying status among their peers."
"Sports metaphors were often employed within this discourse to represent various sexual achievements. ""First base"" was accomplished when a man kissed a woman. ""Second base"" signified a man placing his hand up the woman's shirt, while ""Third base"" represented a man's hand down a woman's pants. ""Home Run,"" ""touchdown,"" ""full nine yards,"" ""going the distance,"" and ""score,"" all represented intercourse. Most of the men in this study were familiar with these and other sports metaphors which referenced sex as a game, and women were sometimes referred to as ""points,"" while men were referred to as ""players"". These metaphors, along with other discursive practices that positioned sex as a game and women as points to be scored were the topic of this dissertation."
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