"Mothers carry the load of society, but we deny them access to their full sexuality. The cost of this 'Madonna-Slut' binary is borne by women and society in general."
"Women who remain sexually expressive or autonomous have historically been pushed to the margins, labeled immoral, dangerous, or undesirable. This stigma became so deeply ingrained that even women began policing and shaming other women for embodying sexual power."
"After having children, a woman's sexuality becomes 'in service of' something else—the partner, the unit, society. It is no longer hers to wield for her own well-being or pleasure."
"I challenge you to find one example of a mother in mainstream media who embodies a healthy sexuality, devoid of guilt, shame, and obligation."
Maternal sexuality has been historically vilified, leading to a societal narrative that denies mothers access to their full sexual identities. Many women in their 40s and 50s report never having fully expressed their sexuality, often feeling ashamed of their bodies and unable to prioritize their own pleasure. The Madonna-Slut binary perpetuates stigma, causing women to police each other's sexual expression. This societal control over women's sexuality has significant implications, as mothers bear the burden of societal expectations while being disconnected from their own sexual autonomy.
Read at Psychology Today
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