Question

Researchers have found that a significant proportion of women, particularly women in heterosexual relationships, fake or have faked orgasm. Based on what we've read this quarter (that means, do your best to try to be sociologically analytical), why do you think women sometimes fake orgasm? What does it have to do with gender roles and/or expectations? What does it have to do with messages girls and women learn about sexuality? And finally, who "benefits" from women faking orgasms, and who is "harmed?" To do well on this question, you should refer to this week's readings, as well as course material about gender roles from earlier in the quarter.

Answer 1

It has been studied that in almost 70% of the cases, it is the women who fake orga-sms. There are several reasons for this. Many women believe, that in order for the inter-course to end successfully, they don’t necessarily have to climax. Though for men, orga-sm is required. Also, for women, it is required to be in the correct frame of mind so as to be able to reach orga-sm.

It was thought to be known that women require to boost up the male ego at the time of inter-course. Ironically, org-asm is thought to be pleasurable for women, but it is known that it is the man who would benefit as the woman would achieve climax. If a woman does not reach org-asm, she might think that the male ego of her partner would be hurt. As a result of which, rather than being able to focus on their pleasure, they continue to ponder on the satisfaction levels of her partner and the fact that she might or might not be able to give the correct response. In such situations, they fake org-asms, since if they don’t, it might be upsetting to the partner.

Also, many a times, the woman does not want her man to feel that he has failed, with the thought that she might be judged. Moreover, women are used to putting more value on the pleasure of the man rather than their own self. Women do not generally act on their own desires, where there might be other ways of stimulation of orga-sm.