The etymological link between “humiliation” and “human” seems fairly strong to me, despite your disclaimer. Both derive from “humus”, earth: “homo”, human, is a being made from earth, while “humilis”, humility, is being made low and brought to earth.

I’ve also thought, regarding ED, that perhaps part of our problem is the necessary connection to PIV sex and sex itself. From what I understand, you don’t need an erection to orgasm, just for PIV sex. So is our narrow definition of “what counts” as “ideal” (read: normative) sex part of the problem here too? And I shudder when here in Canada, I see treatments to increase women’s sex drive. I can’t help but think that a lot of women’s “problems” come from our very underdeveloped understandings (or practices regarding) female sexuality, so I don’t think we should be so quick to push women on a pill!

And I completely agree with Ruth’s comment.

I think this also ties in to what Sophonisba said about making erectile dysfunction, or just not being able to get physically turned on, a Big Bad Thing, instead of something that men and women both have to go through, since the idea of a woman having an erection is Simply Not Discussed.

ED is when it is every day, or near so. ED is when you take antidepressants, like I did about a decade back, and find yourself unable to function - or worse, change them and find yourself totally disinterested, to boot. Many times it can be so severe even drugs such as viagra are of no help.

This is not a trivial difference. This is the difference between a sneeze or the pneumonic plague.

Best listen to it and remember that the tool is controlled by aspects of the mind that we need to better understand for our own good!!

“Which is true to an extent. Still, I think the origins of the discipline have caused gender research to downplay/ignore the importance of biology, partly for simple lack of understanding. I think that a certain over-reliance on simple biological explanations in pop culture and over-reliance on simple sociological explanations in “pop (academic) feminism” are completely compatible (and create a lot of misunderstandings).”

At one time maybe, however I think the pendulum has definitely swung in the other direction and the importance of biology seems to be over-emphasized, in my opinion. At any rate for some it’s serves as a nifty excuse making technique.

“I agree. Although sexual arousal and bladder control cannot be fairly compared, and doing so creates unfair behavioral standards, in my opinion.”

I don’t think his point was about comparing sexual arousal and bladder control. The point was about learning to control one’s urges (appropriate time, place, etc.) which has its advantages.

But in any event, we’re thread-drifting a bit here… let’s try and stay on erections.

Yeah, sorry. Tends to happen in discussions, though… last reply on that topic:

Well, I think we should start with Simone de Beauvoir then (’women are made, not born’ - and yes, I’m kidding).

What we do tend to say is that biological differences are oversold, overemphasized, and over-relied upon by popular culture.

Which is true to an extent. Still, I think the origins of the discipline have caused gender research to downplay/ignore the importance of biology, partly for simple lack of understanding. I think that a certain over-reliance on simple biological explanations in pop culture and over-reliance on simple sociological explanations in “pop (academic) feminism” are completely compatible (and create a lot of misunderstandings).

We like relying on biological and evolutionary explanations because they seem to — at least in part — absolve us from the responsibility to resist the negative messages of our culture. See this post from two years ago

I agree. Although sexual arousal and bladder control cannot be fairly compared, and doing so creates unfair behavioral standards, in my opinion.

Over and out ;).

I agree, even if we are thread drifting. I think what you said here is relevant enough to repeat in this post. Of course biology has some behavioral influence, but I agree that it is overemphasized and oversold by the PC culture and I’m tired of it being used as a convenient excuse or justification to avoid taking any personal responsibility for making poor choices with negative consequences. It’s too bad we cannot think of another easier term to use in place of erectile dysfunction, when the psychological and body disconnect is really what you are talking about. I’ve known some men (very few) who are willing to be more open and honest (rather than blame women) about their experiences and feelings on this subject. I think they are greater in number, but finding a safe environment of which to discuss these issues is probably difficult and maybe humiliating. I wish that were not so.