Possibility of Women as Agency of Masochism towards Sexual Independence

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  • 女性の性的自立におけるマゾヒズム的行為体の可能性
  • ジョセイ ノ セイテキ ジリツ ニ オケル マゾヒズムテキ コウイタイ ノ カノウセイ

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Abstract

The aim of this paper is to inquire into possibilities of women's sexual independence by focusing on women's masochism, which is usually believed to be opposed to said independence, as a possible way towards it. I will examine the potentiality of women's active practices of masochism to deconstruct the present power structure of our gendered society. This examination is also intended to lead to a deeper understanding of masochism itself. In our present gender-biased culture, women's masochism, in contrast with men's, has been understood to be derived naturally from the constitution of women. This type of argument, based on nature, must be rightfully placed under critical review. It does not necessarily mean, however, that women's sexual masochism is simply a reflection of power relations in our daily life. If sadomasochism could be considered a game making full use of these relations, it might be taken to be a "parody of power relations," as defined by Pat Califia. Consequently I will take up her conception of masochism as a means to attain an adequate understanding of women's masochism as well as to deconstruct the present gender structure, so that we may find a way to redefine women's sexual independence. In this connection, Judith Butler's conception of "gender trouble" and John K. Noyse's argument regarding men's masochism, which according to him is an inevitable outgrowth of modern subjectivity, are also to be examined.

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