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Article
Shaved or Saved? Disciplining Women’s Bodies
Women’s Studies in Communication
  • Casey R. Kelly, Butler University
  • Kristen Hoerl, Butler University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2015
DOI
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/07491409.2015.1027088
Abstract

Proponents of sexual liberation and abstinence-until-marriage advocates appear to be on opposing ends of the sociopolitical spectrum; however, both are invested in the regulation of women’s vaginas. We argue that the rhetoric of both communities produces the same disciplinary configuration for the control of women’s bodies. Both communities instruct women that the appearance of a prepubescent and pure vagina is essential to sexual appeal and self-care. Whether sex positive or sex negative, both communities articulate a model of sexual health that negates women’s status as active, desiring subjects. Ultimately, we argue that public scrutiny of women’s vaginas implicitly and overtly functions to police women’s sexual agency.

Rights

This article was archived with permission from The Organization for Research on Women and Communication, all rights reserved. Document also available from Women's Studies in Communication.

Citation Information
Casey R. Kelly and Kristen Hoerl. "Shaved or Saved? Disciplining Women’s Bodies" Women’s Studies in Communication Vol. 38 Iss. 2 (2015) p. 141 - 145
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/casey_kelly/8/