Roni Wiener

Date of Award

2019

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

Zabriskie, Queen

Area of Concentration

Psychology and Sociology and Gender Studies

Abstract

Women experience orgasm less frequently than men, a phenomenon known as the gender orgasm gap. Social explanations for this gap connect it to cultural norms that privilege men’s pleasure and preferences. In this thesis, I employ practices from Critical Sexuality Studies to consider how narrow definitions of sex contribute to orgasm disparities. I destabilize heteronormative ideals by centering experiences of orgasm with no genital stimulation (orgasm WNGS). I conducted a quantitative study of orgasm frequencies using an anonymous online survey with a convenience and snowball sample. Participants (N = 388) were between the ages of 18 and 71 (M = 32.2, SD = 12.3) and predominantly white (81.5%). One third of participants with orgasm experiences have experienced orgasm WNGS at least once. Cis-men experienced orgasm more frequently than cis-women, but cis-women experienced orgasm WNGS more frequently than cis-men. Experiences of orgasm WNGS and higher orgasm frequencies were associated with greater sexual satisfaction for cis-women, but not for cis-men. These findings suggest that social norms confining orgasm to genital stimulation disproportionately disadvantage women. This study demonstrates the importance of accounting for experiences of orgasm WNGS as part of a comprehensive understanding of human sexual behavior. Researchers should work toward using broader definitions of sex that include all activities intended to create sexual arousal and erotic pleasure.

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