Sex. In media it is a common theme, in movies and in tv shows. It is not only sex but also sexualized images that we see on a daily basis, these are things that we accept as normal. However, speaking of one’s own sex life feels awkward or in some cases wrong.
Society is constructed in a way that we are fed images of something which is deemed desirable, sex, in some ways we are expected to follow through and preform these actions. There are no rules or constructs where you can talk to someone about. Or if there are its not something that should be talked about in public in front of others even though there cannot be anything more public than the media which is where the ideas an images are fed to us on a daily basis, selling us something which we cannot talk about.
Talking to someone about sex can be very helpful and in some ways could help you understand the normality of it. Sex is something that many individuals preform to get a sense of pleasure. In talking with someone about it that has different experiences you could possibly learn more about the pleasure you are interested in giving or getting. A world where the media pushed the idea on teenager and adults that sex is normal but at the same time convinces you its not okay for you to be able to talk about it. Outside of joking and complaining open conversations can be very interesting.
The paradox of the sexy media and story where society tells you to not talk about it is not lost on me.
Unruly Bodies 
I really like this post! Something else I’ve noticed about our society and the way it treats sex is that it is more socially acceptable for a man to talk about his sex life than for a woman to talk about hers. When men talk about their sex life they are celebrated and envied; when women talk about theirs they are looked down upon and slut-shamed. I do think this is getting better with time as gender equality increases, but the double standard of sex is still so apparent to me.
Excellent points! Also, one interesting note a person is automatically assumed to desire/ want sex. Seriously think of how many books, shows, movies … all have romance/ sex as a major part of the plot. And if those people do speak out there is an automatic assumption from society that something is wrong or broken with those people. It’s not a healthy viewpoint. And it goes back to that paradox you mention. We have “sexy” pretty much everywhere. It’s on the internet, in magazines, moves, shows and so much more! Yet sex is such a taboo topic
I never thought about it this way but this is definitely true. Society has raised us to be ashamed when talking about sex or masturbation. I think in the west that’s bc of the Christian religious background. Something else I’ve noticed is that sex is portrayed in very unrealistic ways on media. Because of this people go into having sex with unrealistic expectations. Lastly I feel like the media only portrays certain people having sex. They don’t show chubby or fat people having sex. They don’t show disabled people having sex. And sometimes they do show queer people having sex. But most of the time its straight skinny people. I want sex to be portrayed more with more diversity and realism.
I really enjoyed this post! I feel like I’ve noticed this for a while and I find it baffling. I do not understand why companies and entertainment industries constantly discuss how “sex sells” and that people love that kind of content but the people they’re selling it to feel societal pressure to not talk about it in casual conversation. It’s like it’s okay to watch and listen to and look at, but for some reason putting it into words with others (who most likely engage with the same content) is taboo. It makes no sense at all. The world increasingly becomes more progressive, however, people still hold onto certain societal norms despite them becoming more “acceptable”.
Sex definitely is a paradox, especially when you speak about religious connotations and capitalism. With capitalism, sex is supposed to produce more workers, not be pleasurable, same with religion. But where they disagree is the advertising and how sex is used as a weapon for capitalism, so sexy billboards are okay, but having sex before marriage, adultery, and showing your body off is wrong. This massive contradiction is perpetrated by American Christians, which is an oxymoron considering Christianity. Overall, sex itself is for more than reproduction, but workers are seen as just that, not people, just tools to multiply.