Abstract
Feminine sexuality has traditionally been conceptualized as passive, naive, and disinterested. However, what little empirical evidence exists regarding female sexuality suggests that sexual satisfaction in women is more likely to be associated with sexual interest, knowledge, activity, and other “nonfeminine” characteristics. Given the current cultural climate wherein both sexual satisfaction for women and a single standard of sexuality for both sexes are being embraced, the question is raised: Does sexual satisfaction in women correlate with their femininity and feminism? The present study was designed, therefore, to investigate the relationships among sexual satisfaction, femininity, and feminism in women. Data were collected via questionnaires completed by 199 couples—largely young, educated, and middle class. A positive association was found between sexual satisfaction and feminism; there was no significant relationship between sexual satisfaction and femininity. Implications for psychotherapy and further research are also discussed.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.