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The Journal of Sex Research Volume 43, 2006 - Issue 3
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Original Articles

Women's sexual desire: A feminist critique

Jill M. Wood Women's Studies Department, Pennsylvania State University, 133 Willard Building, University Park, PA, 16802 E-mail: [email protected]
,
Patricia Barthalow Koch Pennsylvania State University, ; Widener University,
&
Phyllis Kernoff Mansfield Pennsylvania State University,
Pages 236-244 | Accepted 22 Nov 2005, Published online: 11 Jan 2010
 
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Abstract

This article offers a critical feminist analysis of the biomédical conceptualization of women's sexual desire. The five major features of the biomedical model of female sexual desire examined and critiqued are (a) use of the male model as the standard, (b) use of a linear model of sexual response, (c) biological reductionism, (d) depoliticalization, and (e) medicalization of variation. A “New View,” an alternative to the biomédical model, is offered for reconceptualizing women's sexual problems. This analysis concludes with recommendations for feminist‐based biopsychosocial research.

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