This master’s thesis examines the experience of sexuality by cisgender women who define themselves as heterosexual.
Sexuality was examined through the lens of social constructionism, which views it as a social construct that changes over time and across settings. The theoretical framework connects the concept of sexuality with gender, providing a brief historical overview of how sexuality has been perceived in various periods of Western society. Next, restrictive and permissive sexual cultures were defined, and the experience and variation of sexuality were explored through various concepts, such as patriarchy and male dominance, which I deemed important for understanding female sexuality. Additionally, the thesis discusses the impact of the rise of feminism and the sexual revolution on women's emancipation and the development of sexual script theory. The evolution of how female sexuality has been controlled over time is examined, highlighting that, while it still is, the methods have shifted from overt and repressive to more sophisticated and insidious ways that often fly under the radar. To differentiate between sexuality and sexual violence, the concepts of consent and sexual agency are explored. Finally, several studies on the subject of sexuality, both from Slovenia and internationally, are presented.
In the empirical part, qualitative research was conducted through interviews with 8 women aged between 28 and 55 using semi-structured questionnaires. The research explored their sexual practices, beliefs, and expectations about sexuality, the importance they attach to sexuality in their lives, the messages they have received about sexuality, their understanding of the concept of consent and sexual agency and how all of these aspects have evolved and changed over the course of their lives. The research findings have revealed that participants' beliefs, expectations, and the meaning they attach to sexuality have evolved over their lives, shaped by the various messages they have received. Similar to trends in broader society, the participants' experiences reflect a shift from traditional discourses towards a more permissive sexual culture, embracing postmodern narratives. However, the resurgence of traditional views underscores the need for an in-depth exploration of the perception of sexuality within diverse groups and individuals, as well as the empowerment of marginalized social groups, including women and others.
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