On Orgasms

Our discussions of theorists and reasearchers all seem to share a common tie with the pedastaled orgasm.
Maybe this is the best time for me to mention that even though we speak of Masters and Johnson's 4 phases of sexual response as interchangeable between male and female, the resolution phase can often be forgoed by the recently climaxed female. I say this to disclaim any perceived ignorance (on my part) in the words to follow.
Everything to do with sex is leading up to the orgasm, and according to Freud it would preferably be a vaginal one. Freud hasn't yet been presented (in our class) in a manner in which we'd be led to take him seriously. Perhaps there is more to Freud (and his Penis Envy theories) than meets the eye?

Anyway, about the orgasm. I see that we have explored the views of Masters and Johnson which are fairly clinical, Kaplan who employs a more psychological approach, Basson who calls in the gray area of intimacy by way of recognizing that sex/achieving orgasm is not entirely black and white, and, well, ...Freud.

I can appreciate where Masters and Johnson are coming from. The biology of it is all well and good to know. Informative, we might say! If I had to choose, however, I would say I'm a fan of Basson's work. The nature of the relationship in which an orgasm is taking place has a huge effect on everything to do with the sexual response cycle; whether it be a lengthy union or even a swingin' cat one met at the martini lounge that very evening, the relationship between participants is simply too vast to be cast aside amongst considerations.

And so, if someone is having an orgasm twice a day they may be quite interested to hear of all the vasocongestion and myotonia that is taking place in his body. Subsequently it is she who has run the gauntlet with her long term partner in search of the elusive orgasm who shall brush aside the work of Masters and Johnson and turn to Kaplan or Basson to see where things might be going awry.

Not an avid church-goer am I, but I do remember an evening youth service I went to in Calgary a number of years ago. The pastor even spoke ebonically; way cool. He was in the context of pre-marital sex (as memory serves...) and he assured us "God wants you to have orgasms." What a novel perspective - of course he does!!! But I'd never thought of it that way before. Why would our bodies be blessed with the ability to experience them if otherwise? So the orgasm tree is ripe for the picking - and ladies: don't worry about that Freud guy.