Sexual experimentation is part of the formation of body image as an adult. These practices can cause either a positive or negative connotation toward body image based on the experience of the woman. Negative body image can occur when a stigma is placed on a woman due to being comfortable with her sexuality or knowing what she wants in the bedroom. In Frye’s Oppression, it shows that women are thought of differently based on their sexual preferences. Because of this, women may seek to experiment in their own ways, without proper knowledge, which can lead to unsafe practices. We are currently within the third and fourth wave of feminism. This means that we are aware of the need for positive body image and how important sexuality is to the development of a young woman. However, we are also in the height of sexual abuse and “slut-shaming”.
There are businesses created with the sole purpose being to raise women up, encourage safe experimentation and give women’s sexuality a positive image. One example of this is Pure Romance. This is a company, created by a woman, that focuses on empowering women in all aspects of life, but centralized on sexuality, in an entertaining format through home parties. Their mission is to educate women about their body and sexuality while teaching them to experiment sexually in a safe way. All of these topics lead to feeling good in their skin and feeling confident to take charge of their sex life in the form of asking for what they want or need from a partner, in all aspects of a relationship. Finally, they strive to remove the stigma on women for enjoying sex of all forms. In addition to this, they allow women to feel comfortable in their sexuality without a partner. In Bisexuality, Feminism, Men and Me they state that a basic truth is that every woman needs a man. Pure Romance strives to break this “truth”.
In addition to Pure Romance, there are many other sex positive businesses and organizations available. One example of this is Unbound Box. This is a company created by 
Polly Rodriguez. “While it’s widely expected and accepted that men are sexual creatures – they will go through puberty, masturbate and explore what makes them feel good – the same is not always true for women, according to Polly Rodriguez (Edison, 2016). This company provides approachable products that assist women in exploring what makes them feel good. This gives them the option to ask for what they need from a partner and in return feeling more positive about themselves and their bodies.
Aside from products that assist with sexual activity in an attempt to increase sexuality and body image, there are services such as boudoir photography that can greatly increase a person’s body image.
I spoke with Maddi Ibanez, owner of Queen Bee Boudoir, a photography company that aims to give women a tool needed to love “themselves unapologetically for every 
‘imperfection’ they believe they have”. She has been in the business of photography for fifteen years, although boudoir is a newer venture for her with almost six months of experience. Boudoir comes from the French meaning “private dressing room or bedroom”. Putting this into art, it refers to the style of photography in which women will pose in lingerie or even nude. Maddi states, “boudoir is a type of photography where we captured people’s sexuality in digital image media format…We encourage them to be raw and authentically themselves so we can allow women to hop off the fence to know that they are allowed to feel sexy regardless of what the media puts on a billboard”. As previously mentioned, there are strong links between sexuality and body image. Oftentimes women do not feel comfortable expressing their sexuality if they have negative self-image. “I believe these two are tied hand in hand. Body image is how you view yourself and sexual expression is how you open and share that part of yourself with the world,” says Ibanez.
In speaking with Minta Kinser, a client of a local boudoir photographer, she states that her experiences with boudoir photography have helped her “realize that I am beautiful even though I don’t have the ‘perfect’ body”. She too feels that the abilities to express yourself sexually reflects within your body image, and vice versa. “…when you’re more comfortable with your body, you’re more comfortable with your sexuality,” says Kinser.
A
fter surveying a random grouping of 135 people, the data shows that the general public is fairly split on whether they feel that body image is directly related to their ability to experiment sexually without judgment. The majority of survey respondents stated that they felt comfortable expressing their sexual wants or needs with their partner (72%) and also with discussing sexual safety preferences (79%).
Below you will find quotes from survey respondents along with their identified gender and age grouping.
- “Sexuality and body image shouldn’t define us, but in today’s world it is hard to not let it.” (F, 25-34).
- “I feel that…sexuality may differ depending on if you’re a straight, bi, or lesbian woman. As a lesbian, I feel I have an added layer of difficulty discussing sexuality compared to my heterosexual peers.” (F, 18-24).
- “I think it’s important to examine whether I want to have sex because I actually want to or because I’ve been conditioned to do so.” (F-ish, 18-24).
- “As someone who’s never had sex, I feel as though it can sometimes be difficult to have a positive body image because there isn’t a constant reassurance from someone that they are emotionally and physically attracted to you.” (F, 18-24).
- “Women expressing their sexuality should not be seen as ‘wrong’ and should not be prohibited in ways such as dress code (no shoulders).” (F, 18-24).
- “Sexuality is deeply personal and represents my innermost feelings. To me, it can be expressed through my clothes, words, actions, and sexual activity.” (F, 18-24).
- “Media and society give girls and women false representation of body image and sexuality. They make it seem like a perfect body is what is most important…” (F, 45-54).
Ibanez closed the interview by putting forth an extremely moving message to women everywhere. She says, “this is the only body you get; it is what allows you to take a sip of a strawberry milkshake, hear the wind whip through the trees, smell tomato soup boiling on the stove on a cold & rainy day, squish your toes in the sand, and hold the person you love. You can’t spend your whole lifetime not enjoying your body because you’re not truly enjoying life when you stay angry at yourself for the imperfections that only you pick up on. Be gentle with you”.
Bibliography
Edison, Ilaina. “Sex Positive Entrepreneurs.” The Huffington Post, 30 Aug. 2016, www.huffingtonpost.com/ilaina-edison/sex-positive-entrepreneur_b_11705706.html.
Frye, Marilyn. The Politics of Reality: Essays in Feminist Theory. Oppression. Crossing Press, 1983.
Rampton, Martha. “Four Waves of Feminism.” Pacific University Oregon, 28 Nov. 2018, www.pacificu.edu/about/media/four-waves-feminism.