tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34294300.comments2023-11-21T04:06:19.668-08:00Sense & SensualitySarojini Sahoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06356168164108611237noreply@blogger.comBlogger559125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34294300.post-78813811471475847472014-05-20T05:45:26.123-07:002014-05-20T05:45:26.123-07:00Thank You Sarojini for this post. As a native beng...Thank You Sarojini for this post. As a native bengali-speaking person I had to struggle with gender-based pronoun initially after coming to the US. I think languages affect the way we think, feel and behave. I am wondering how many Indian languages have gender-free pronoun? I was also thinking how ancient languages like Pali (magadhi) and Sanskrit, Aramaic, Hebrew, Latin, Greek etc use gender in their personal pronoun.<br />http://womandivine.blogspot.com<br /><br />Susmitahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06086106024522573115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34294300.post-21523317960350905662014-03-19T00:48:06.564-07:002014-03-19T00:48:06.564-07:00Nice blog, This blog is so informative and easy br...Nice blog, This blog is so informative and easy browsing.<br />Friends, If you have little of time you may check <br /><a href="http://adf.ly/fkMsX" rel="nofollow">Teen XXX</a>.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16246278882234316837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34294300.post-45824905212215599892013-12-22T19:47:35.403-08:002013-12-22T19:47:35.403-08:00आपके विचारों से सहमति है।आपके विचारों से सहमति है।Hari Joshihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13632382660773459908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34294300.post-46017210678720056302013-12-20T01:13:07.489-08:002013-12-20T01:13:07.489-08:00Yes I agree with your skepticism about this survey...Yes I agree with your skepticism about this survey, sex is universal taboo, I don’t think that in Europe which is an open society women can talk about their sexual desire in detail. In our region where in rural area in particular girls are not allowed to talk about like or dislike their marriages, it is unlikely that women are able to talk their sexual feelings in detail and large numbers as shown in this survey. Sex is for men only were a popular phrase but it is in practice even today. In past it was widely believe that women don’t have sexual desire.<br />By measuring of androgen hormones or level of testosterone we can’t measure the level of sexual desire, which is like an appetite which reduces in stressed or in sadness. But without food or water we can’t live but a human can breathe without fulfilling sexual desire what quality of life it will be one can imagine.<br />I don’t think majority of educated people are familiar with the term Marital rapes you have used, because they still believe the phrase “Sex is for men”. <br />How we can persuade people to take interest in this taboo legitimate desire of overwhelming majority of women, it require thoughtful endeavor. <br />आज हम दार पे खेंचे गए जिन बातों पर<br />किया अजब कल वोह ज़माने को निसाबों में मिलें <br />ऎहमद फ़राज़ <br />آج ہم دار پہ کھینچے گئے جِن باتوں پر<br />کیا عجب کل وہ زمانے کو نصابوں میں ملیں<br />احمد فراز <br />Kalimullahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06280814705278142487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34294300.post-82370730606464598082013-12-19T23:17:01.980-08:002013-12-19T23:17:01.980-08:00The survey is prejudiced and restricted to a parti...The survey is prejudiced and restricted to a particular populace. I appreciate Dr Sarojini Sahoo to offer voice to such issues. these need vocal support from intelligentsia. ডঃ মনোজ পাঠকhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02516559081060715674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34294300.post-49082711510643737682013-12-17T20:23:16.413-08:002013-12-17T20:23:16.413-08:00Excellent findings dear Dr. Sarojini! The survey s...Excellent findings dear Dr. Sarojini! The survey seems to be a flop since very few women disclose such things in our country. Only very negligible number of women in metros was subjected to this survey, it seems. I do fully support your view that "women are still living in denial of their sexual desire."Prof. K. V. Dominichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02649382062646107636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34294300.post-61165528612306546132013-12-17T20:12:04.134-08:002013-12-17T20:12:04.134-08:00Dear Sarojini,
Female sexual desires are suppress...Dear Sarojini,<br /><br />Female sexual desires are suppressed in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia (including India). It is sad how women of Africa have to suffer from genital mutilation (FGM) and forever thereafter they suffer from discomfort and diseases.<br />I don't understand why men think they are so hot and powerful. We women of the world need to come together and speak up this time, especially in the light of all the rapes that have come to light in India. On my FB wall, I did post something on Jyoti Singh Pandey's rape & death anniversary. I have received many comments, including from a member of the One Billion Rising from the African community.<br />We shall take it no more from men. There are many men who are standing by us this time. Why don't men understand when women say "NO" it means "NO"? Why do they force themselves on women? It is because their self-esteem is so small, they are trying to regain their power by empowering women. I am so disgusted by how women are treated not just in India, but all over the world.<br />If women can rise, imagine how far they can go. Having control of who they want to have sex with is an important part of it, provided they don't use their sex to get ahead in life, which some women have been known to do.<br /><br />Jaya Kamlani, USA - Author of "To India, with Tough Love"Jaya Kamlani, USAnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34294300.post-58913638537187573882013-12-16T10:56:18.502-08:002013-12-16T10:56:18.502-08:00A nice write up indeed !!!
The respondents are fr...A nice write up indeed !!! <br />The respondents are from urban areas and are educated and well-placed. So, the survey result well reflects the transformation that’s happening among the urban, educated (enlightened?) and may be elite women class. It doesn’t reflect the views and behaviour of the Indian women in general for sure.<br />Your descriptions on patriarchal conspiracy to subjugate women and the role of men, media, industry is well-explained with logical substance. <br />About the issue of low percentage of women admitting about their sexual unhappy lives, considering the urban respondents, they are now more aware about their sexuality and may be more open to solve these problems unlike their rural, uneducated, conservative counterparts. Or they withstand the subjugation of patriarchy on this. Again it may be an issue that women respondents might have felt uncomfortable to share their unhappy sex lives with the researcher and hence, the low percentage. In the later case your argument on high percentage of women suffering from sexual problems holds true. <br />One thing I would rather point out on the survey report which probably you missed to mention- the reversal trend on men/women sexuality. As the report suggests, women’s sexuality is getting more controlled and they express their needs in their sex lives. But on contrary men are heading towards a neo-traditionalism and are more focused towards family and other issues. You are in a better position to tell how true and reliable these study reports are, but if it actually reflects our women class howsoever small, cant we say, they are in a better position in having a controlled sexuality? Thank you Maam !<br />Pradeep'shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10442010323503323000noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34294300.post-2793714092284119302013-12-16T10:47:38.401-08:002013-12-16T10:47:38.401-08:00Yes....our society is still embroiled with taboos ...Yes....our society is still embroiled with taboos on sex and most of the Indian women are molded by our age old patriarchal mentality where male sexuality is termed as ‘active’ whereas female sexuality is termed as ‘passive"..............we hv to broaden our mindset.skcoralhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13690800061878967021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34294300.post-70533389654629433962013-09-12T07:13:09.522-07:002013-09-12T07:13:09.522-07:00well saidwell saidjacobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13827595515143688814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34294300.post-15226150725887646002013-09-03T14:04:52.708-07:002013-09-03T14:04:52.708-07:00Hello, I've been reading your blog for hours n...Hello, I've been reading your blog for hours now. You've got a commendable grasp of your subjects, research and writing. They’re brilliant. I’m hoping if you can help me in the similar field, please? I’m doing my MA dissertation in Feminism and representing women in Bengali fiction Devdas (Novel 1917 and Movie 1955). I’d be really glad if you can help me with any suggestion, addition, point of view at all. Thank you. ishayad@gmail.comIsha Yadavhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17846326856489801108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34294300.post-75767070309915687242013-05-09T10:32:46.543-07:002013-05-09T10:32:46.543-07:00Very well written and thought provoking ! When we...Very well written and thought provoking ! When we say we want to be treated equal we are protesting against a lesser human treatment or in the words demanding to be treated an equal human , therefore I do not see why humanism shoud be temed as opposed to feminism . One doesn't come across male ism or man ism. Why is it so? Are men already fully qualified to be human that they don't need any isms to protect their human rights? I am legal professional & writer and some one who has boldly stood up against sexual harassment at work place - because I felt that as a woman, as a human I had a right to walk with my head held high Kausalyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04520936658754458789noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34294300.post-25308664490729058522013-04-26T02:50:15.881-07:002013-04-26T02:50:15.881-07:00I am in agreement with Jack Duras who has rightly ...I am in agreement with Jack Duras who has rightly pointed through an analogy about siblings who are raised in a more or less same environment yet have different personality. There sure must be somethings that are inherent and instinctual that make women and men different in spite of the socialization which is nevertheless not equal for both the genders. I guess one should accept this inherent difference and not try to eliminate it. Rather a 'secular sexuality' which respects the difference without discrimination as suggested by Sarojini Sahoo would bridge this gap of inferiorization of female sexuality. So, women must feel this inner difference that makes them females. This difference can be felt only if women disengage themselves from the negativity surrounding their sex in the patriarchal setup. I think Sarojini Sahoo is one such rare feminist who is trying to make women apocalypse this power of feminity through her works. sangeeta singhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17983660074304756766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34294300.post-81363766531949860902013-01-12T17:56:04.792-08:002013-01-12T17:56:04.792-08:00Indeed, the "nonessentialist" feminism (...Indeed, the "nonessentialist" feminism (of, say, Judith Butler and Simone de Beauvoir) seems to be on its decline nowadays.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34294300.post-63556757747236354622012-12-25T19:10:31.709-08:002012-12-25T19:10:31.709-08:00A nice take on views, cultural perspectives and op...A nice take on views, cultural perspectives and opinions on the female body and beauty!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34294300.post-48847069391963567282012-12-18T12:06:05.911-08:002012-12-18T12:06:05.911-08:00This was a very thought-provoking post. The East a...This was a very thought-provoking post. The East and West have many differences but also many similarities. There may be focus on the vagina here in the West, but ultimately no matter the sum of parts, a woman is a woman so if one woman in one part of the world is being degraded or abused, we all are. Please visit Venus Blogs as they also post about many subjects that are of interest to women: http://venusblogs.com/category/politics/<br />Tamekahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09022350498501742442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34294300.post-84932207750969421252012-12-07T01:07:45.162-08:002012-12-07T01:07:45.162-08:00The total discussion roamed round the merits and d... <br />The total discussion roamed round the merits and demerits of extramarital affairs. Which shows that how we are familiar with this terminology and ideas? This is an example of literary class which you were in interaction. What about ordinary people which may be expert in their respective fields but they have no precise idea of humanism, feminism, feminist; you have also pointed out several flavor of humanism .e.g. ethical , religious , atheistic , heretical , scientific, naturalistic , and just humanism.<br />It is very true what you have said “Feminism has often been misunderstood; It seems ironic that feminism has been characterized as anti-male, when in fact, it seeks to liberate men from the macho stereotypical roles”. <br /> Indeed our ideas are not changed significantly as what we are taught in early ages. When we discussed “open mindedly” our criteria remain the same what we were learned in early age.<br />Breast feeding for shorter time to become pregnant to have a baby boy is widespread even in highly civilized societies, which believe that generation continues with male not male.<br />“. As a result, girls miss out on life-giving nutrition during a crucial time in their development, which stunts their growth and weakens their resistance to disease.” Is really a key point if girls are brought up like boys and given equal opportunities then they will not become load to the society or for parents, consequently demands for equal opportunity in latter stage will not be needed as they are really equal to men? The desire for boys will significantly reduce. It is foolish and ridiculous act to produce a load consciously and planning and demand equal opportunity and called the humanism, feminism, feminity . Humanism is a misleading term or at least not correctly understood, no one give equal rights to weaker and powerful, it is not very different as begging. <br />Sunita Kishor's article “May God Give Sons to All: Gender and Child Mortality in India,” is really very interesting and explains the situation in world and in underdeveloped world in particular<br />Old wounds play an important role as mentioned “historical grievances must be acknowledged and rectified and a special effort must be made to bring these groups to an acceptable position in society.” But this question will arise when equal rights will be given; it appears to be very far away. <br /><br /> <br />Kalimullahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06280814705278142487noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34294300.post-1421860698775679722012-12-01T22:24:17.740-08:002012-12-01T22:24:17.740-08:00Very much enlightening. I read somewhere feminism ...Very much enlightening. I read somewhere feminism may be interpreted as a bid to extend membership in universal human nature, and hence eligibility for human rights, to that category of beings named women. This is the point conveyed by Mary Wollstonecraft's title: "A vindication of the rights of woman." Like many other Enlightenment radicals, Wollstonecraft asks thinkers to accept the imperatives of their own reasoning. In defining women as human beings, therefore, liberal feminism has not failed to define 'woman' in a consistent or rigorous manner; it has positively refused to do so.Sujata sSnghhttps://www.facebook.com/sujata.singh.39noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34294300.post-89992106930454271692012-12-01T06:33:07.915-08:002012-12-01T06:33:07.915-08:00I did read the post at least 3 times. concepts be...I did read the post at least 3 times. concepts being very well expressed, it was a pleasure to read it.<br /> I had never thought that there are thinking women who beleive that feminism is against humanism!!.<br />Now a days it is a fashion to say that I am not a feminist, but a humanist, subtly implying that feminism courts a tint of extremism and aggressiveness.<br />They quote anti- male slogans by some groups for evidence and women who talk and propagate the concept[ looks silly, to me] of a world of''Only Women's"!!!<br /><br />As u said, and i beleived, both man and women are complimentary to each other and are not codified as enemies<br />And, as said, the war is not with men but with history, deeply wrought with patriarchy. and its perpetuating value system.<br /><br />I am quite happy that i am a woman and would not want to be a man because he has some socio-tical privilages because of the existing patriarchial values. That does not make him superior. What i want as a woman is sweeping changes in these existing values which provide equal playing fields and opportunities. > Which in return would result in great attitudinal change in the society<br /><br />I am at war with the discrimination meted to women just because she is woman.<br /><br />yes, I fully agree with what u are saying about the ''equality'' thing.Providing [if at all] equal playing grounds NOW wont be enough, since the factors which put women far behind in every sphere are not taken care of overnight or over years[that is why our fight is so long]<br /><br /> But what is the remedy? Reservation?<br />extra political measures to put women ahead?<br /><br />what are the practical measures in your opinion?.<br /><br /> To think Feminism being not humanism , to say least, is absurd ,. Any fight against discrimination based on caste, creed. religion ,colour or gender has to be necessarily part of humanism .[in the existing parlance of the word] because humanism is based on certain proclaimed human values Feminism, dalitism,minoriy issues etc are of certain questions raised by the victims of discrimination , within the premises of humanism,, only because there the human values are challenged and violated.So there is no question of feminism not being based on humanism .it is humanism itself.Manasihttp://thiruvilwamala.000a.biz/famous-personalities/maanasi/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34294300.post-47770617838394464022012-12-01T03:35:11.875-08:002012-12-01T03:35:11.875-08:00Very well argued n a subtle commentary on the so-...Very well argued n a subtle commentary on the so-called champions of women liberation twisting things to their purpose.There is much more than the female body that needs to be discerned by looking beneath the surface.Need of the hour.......more sarojinies.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18444783545946337443noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34294300.post-71788233872447340482012-11-29T19:16:17.652-08:002012-11-29T19:16:17.652-08:00topic for creative writers, interesting though for...topic for creative writers, interesting though for anyone to look in to and see where the context in question fits in to our modern literature. for example, one might argue that the context in question as mere a secular humanism, right? (while an other might argue that the ideological humanism is as if having their different interpretations in which the statusquo has its relevance, which is almost the prevailing orthodoxy of any mainstream ideology that history has known so far--not in a positive or negative sense but on where the context in question fits against other opinions)Steven F. B. Anderson (Fernando)https://www.facebook.com/steven.f.andersonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34294300.post-36451491063865017892012-11-29T18:45:53.163-08:002012-11-29T18:45:53.163-08:00You are right! It's not possible to be a human...You are right! It's not possible to be a humanist unless we are feminist.<br />From my point of view, I don't want to be feminist cause I don't want to live in a World where there isn't equality or difference regarding women or men.But as you have stated with examples it is not possible to become unfeminist.Fide Erkenhttps://plus.google.com/114840027279801657271/postsnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34294300.post-7848748262168440912012-11-28T20:01:58.302-08:002012-11-28T20:01:58.302-08:00well-written. went through the blog. A large amoun...well-written. went through the blog. A large amount of hypocrisy dominates educated women regarding their viewpoint on female body. Rather they don't realize it denotes a wide range of socially and sociologically important aspects such as marriage, conception, child birth, breast-feeding, sexual relations, rapes, love affairs, and what not. Apart from these, as far earning women are concerned there are umpteen number of problem they confront, beginning from the household, trams and buses, office and boss, colleagues and their social connections and their impact on their spouses. All these problems will have to be addressed. This can be done only through a scientific, but bold attempts, possibly possible only through some feminist venture.Cp Aboobackerhttp://thanalonline.com/en/default.aspnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34294300.post-34407937500419583982012-11-28T18:43:58.495-08:002012-11-28T18:43:58.495-08:00Thanks Joyce, for your comments. I solely agree wi...Thanks Joyce, for your comments. I solely agree with you.<br />Feminism has often been misunderstood as a bunch of stereotyped hysterical man-hating fanatics who seek power and control rather than true equality. It seems ironic that feminism has been characterized as anti-male, when in fact, it seeks to liberate men from the macho stereotypical roles men often have to endure such as the need to suppress feelings, act aggressively, and be deprived of contact with children. I think we should emphasize our femininity rather to impose the so-called stereotyped feministic attitude of the second wave.<br />What’s more worsen in Eastern that some feminists are using feminism to make a suitable media for their identity though they have no any untainted idea about feminism. The participants in that seminar, though are invited as feminist authors and poets, but I have doubt if they are actually belong to that category by their concept s or they are feminist by craze. <br />Sarojini Sahoohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06356168164108611237noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34294300.post-39077066431039656982012-11-28T08:14:06.657-08:002012-11-28T08:14:06.657-08:00Wonderful essay, very well thought out and respons...Wonderful essay, very well thought out and responsive to contemporary debates on the nature of feminism. <br /><br />I am an American woman who has resisted the label of feminism for my whole life, while at the same time being active in fighting for equal rights for women and other minorities. For me, whether or not feminism is compatible with or opposed to humanism is not important. We need to move beyond humanism and see the world in less anthropomorphic terms. This is the great challenge of the 21st century. As long as we place ourselves above nature, we will continue to destroy our home. Without this larger perspective – that all life is sacred – we will not survive and it will not matter how we treat each other.Joyce Yarrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13298746689887039885noreply@blogger.com