I think it's an interesting observation, and one worth making.
Penis. Testicle. Vagina.
All 3 are hideous, jarring, and clinical words, yet the first 2 are common in TV Land.
But vagina?
Nope, gotta cutesify that one - too risque, too graphic, too embarrassing, practically taboo for common discourse.
The underlying message is that vaginas are more embarrassing, more graphic, more bad, than penises.
Being the owner of a vagina myself - which I am clearly not embarrassed about - I dont' even like saying that word. It's sadly amusing to see this kind of sexist subtext persist, even in myself.
(I say vag and peen, for the record. )
Maynard said:
i like the word Vagina.
no... i REALLY like it.
and i won't be changing the name of my albm to "V is for Vajayjay"
To me, vajayjay sounds like something Britney, Paris, Lindsey, etc. have.
Vagina sounds like something non-sexrobot (human) females have.
But that's me.
I'm not going to read through all the pages of comments here, so maybe this has been noted, but the majority of people who aren't afraid (or shy or whatever) of saying the word "vagina" use it in the wrong context anyway. The vagina is the inner canal of a woman's genitalia. it does not show. it's internal. what shows is the vulva, and who says that on a regular basis? Why are people "vulva-aversive"?! One of my anthropology classes spent 2 full days of lecture on this topic. Yes, there are anthropologists who have devoted years of study to the great vagina vs. vulva debate. I LOVE higher education.
and Maynard, i have no doubt that you REALLY like vagina (the word i mean) but can VULVA get no love?! geeeesh.
Illyria said:
I'm not going to read through all the pages of comments here, so maybe this has been noted, but the majority of people who aren't afraid (or shy or whatever) of saying the word "vagina" use it in the wrong context anyway. The vagina is the inner canal of a woman's genitalia. it does not show. it's internal. what shows is the vulva, and who says that on a regular basis? Why are people "vulva-aversive"?! One of my anthropology classes spent 2 full days of lecture on this topic. Yes, there are anthropologists who have devoted years of study to the great vagina vs. vulva debate. I LOVE higher education.
and Maynard, i have no doubt that you REALLY like vagina (the word i mean) but can VULVA get no love?! geeeesh.
Spot on. I see penises and vaginas daily in healthcare. As a healthcare worker, it's part of work. It's also tough to use baby words and try to sugarcoat things when you're sticking a tube up there. Also, if you call it what it is, you're far less likely to have a patient get indignant that you're being unprofessional.
Satya
SUICIDEGIRL
California, USA
NOV 07, 2007 04:55 PM