Conceptualising the continuum of female genital fashioning practices

ABSTRACT

Genital fashioning practices, such as Brazilian waxing and female genital cosmetic surgery, have become increasingly prevalent within contemporary western societies. This paper explores the role of genital fashioning in the construction of contemporary femininity. It uses in-depth interviews and focus groups with Australian women aged 18–30 to investigate female genitalia as a site of alteration. Drawing on broader understandings of the body as socially mediated, this paper contends that multiple modification practices are employed to produce genital appearance. It departs from previous investigations which consider genital fashioning practices in isolation. In identifying the scope of genital fashioning, this research reveals a continuum of genital fashioning practices, both physically and discursively mobilised by women to negotiate their identity, sexuality, and femininity.

KEYWORDS:

• Genital fashioning
• sociology
• women’s health
• feminine sexuality
• female genital cosmetic surgery

Acknowledgements

This research was conducted as component of a Ph.D. at Monash University, supervised by Professor Jo Lindsay and Professor JaneMaree Maher. It was made possible by the generous contributions of research participants. Thanks to The Australian Sociological Association Families and Relationships Mentoring Program and mentor Dr Emma Kirby for support in producing this paper.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This project was supported during PhD candidature through the Australian Postgraduate Award.