Penile Imperialism: The Male Sex Right and Women's Subordination

The Industrial Vagina by Sheila Jeffreys presents a critical examination of contemporary sexual politics, arguing that modern society perpetuates male dominance through what she terms “penile imperialism.” Jeffreys contends that cultural and legal frameworks have granted men assumed sexual rights over women and girls, normalizing practices that compromise women’s bodily autonomy. She situates this argument within the historical context of the sexual revolution of the 1960s, showing how male sexual liberation has been prioritized while women’s rights to self-determination remain constrained.

Key Features

• Critical analysis of power dynamics: Examines how sexual freedom has often translated into male privilege and control rather than equality
• Focus on systemic misogyny: Investigates the role of law, culture, and social institutions in sustaining male dominance and sexual exploitation
• Examination of sexual subcultures: Explores normalization of practices like BDSM and transvestism and their implications for women’s autonomy
• Intersection with human rights: Highlights the profound harm inflicted on women’s human rights and the use of sexual violence as a tool of social control
• Provocative and evidence-based argumentation: Combines historical, cultural, and legal analysis to challenge assumptions about gender, sexuality, and consent
• Relevance to contemporary debates: Addresses issues of harassment, consent, and the “erasure” of women’s spaces in modern society

Product Details

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0B7Y31YJ8
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Spinifex Press (1 August 2022)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1925950717