Sex, Personal Freedom & Society

Those of you who stopped by a week ago may recall a post I did titled Sex & Depression which discussed this topic, and referred to a survey of a little over 100 women.

There is a follow up survey, conducted by the Australian Women's Weekly consisting of 15,000 women that features startling results that take the term 'you've come a long way baby' and perforate it with holes. Apparently sex is down and violence is on the increase. The average sexual habits within this survey are lackluster, 47% of women saying they have sex once a week. So with all the freedom to pursue whatever career, there are elements that don't balance out – for both genders.

So does that mean more sex articles for Women's Weekly?

On the subject of freedom of speech, or bodily freedom, I came across an article in Time Magazine at my shrink's waiting room that raised questions about an individual's control over their body, and I was surprised. Body art is on the agenda for a few law enforcement and military personnel in the United States where new recruits are concerned. A full tattooed sleeve is undesirable, and potential recruits may be declined due to excessive and/or visible body art.

It makes you wonder how much freedom people actually have. I have an Eye of Horus tattoo on the inside of my wrist, and since I got it last year, I have noticed (out of curiosity) the reactions to it at my workplace, and how it is gender-focused; if a male has a visible tattoo, such as a tribal arm band, then it is no big deal, but if a female has one, many assumptions are made. When I had to attend a work evaluation recently, the person evaluating me was staring at my tattoo (it was a warm day, and I wore a short sleeved shirt – my wrists were exposed, as they would be), their face a mixture of curiosity and disapproval; they actually frowned.

** A UK site for tattooed women is Tattooed Chicks. Check it out

Image: www.new-ethnic.com