Erotophobia
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Erotophobia is a term that has three different common usages or meanings-- It may 1) be used to describe a specific phobia related to sex, or 2) may be used as a term in psychological studies describing ones degree of (general) aversion to sex, or 3) as a political term, used for example by some feminist intellectuals and sometimes in literary analysis.
Clinical Erotophobia
As a clinical phobia, 'erotophobia' describes an irrational and potentially debilitating fear of some object, person or act that is related to sex. This fear either impairs a persons ability to enjoy sexual relations, or completely prevents a persons ability to have sex. Erotophobia can also in some (but not all) individual cases, be a part of larger patterns of any of the following psychological problems-- social phobia, avoidant personality disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, or general social anxiety problems. Erotophobia can also, for others, be very specific to erotic matters and not be related to any of these other social anxiety disorders. In the case of specific erotophobia, only the fear of something related to sex would be present without any other other fears or syndromes.
Use of the Term 'Erotophobia' in Psychological Studies
In psychological studies, the term is often used to describe degree of (general) sexual aversion versus (general) interest in sex. In this sense erotophobia is descriptive of ones place in a range on a continuum of sexual feeling or aversion to feeling. Erotophobes score high on one end of the scale that is characterized by expressions of guilt and fear about sex. psychologists to describe sexuality on a personality scale. Erotophobes are less likely to talk about sex, have more negative reactions to sexually explicit material, and have sex less frequently and with fewer partners over time. In contrast, erotophiles score high on the opposite end of the scale, erotophilia, which is characterized by expressing less guilt about sex, talking about sex more openly, and holding more positive attitudes toward sexually explicit material.[1]
This dimension of personality is used to assess openness to sex and sexuality. It is an important dimension to measure because of the health and safety risks associated with poor sexual education. Research on this personality dimension has shown a correlation between high erotophobia scores and a less consistent use of contraception and a lack of knowledge about human sexuality. The word erotophobia is derived from the name of Eros, the Greek god of erotic love, and phobia, Greek (φόβος) for "fear".
Political (Rather than a Clinical) Use of the Term 'Erotophobia'
The word erotophobia has been used by anti-oppression activists to describe sex negative attitudes as a form of discrimination and oppression (akin to homophobia). In "Disability, Sex Radicalism, and Political Agency," Abby Wilkinson argues that "constraints on sexual agency should be recognized as a hallmark of oppression." In "Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack of Sexual Conservatism" (after Peggy McIntosh's influential "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack"), TJ Bryan says, "Since power-based hierarchies in society form a matrix of domination, I understand that erotophobia occupies a supportive space adjacent to isms and phobias like classism, racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia."
In his book The Politics of Lust, author and sexual activist, John Ince examines three distinct cause and effect forces that fuel erotophobia: "antisexualism," the irrational negative response to harmless sexual expression; "nasty sex," which includes rape and violent pornography; and "rigidity," the inability to enjoy "playful and spontaneous" sex. Ince also argues that social inequality and politics are inter linked with erotophobia and that overcoming erotophobia is one of the first steps to a truly democratic society. [2]
Criticism of Use of Term in Psychological Studies
Erotophobia has been criticized as not being a scientifically legitimate concept because it is disjunctively defined. That is, the instruments used to measure it ask several questions about issues related to sexuality. Those things seen as being "sex positive" give high scores on erotophilia and those seen as "sex negative" are given low scores and are seen as erotophobic. However, some questions may be about attitudes toward homosexuality (Gays, Lesbians, Bisexual etc) and others may be about attitudes about viewing sexually explicit materials. It is perfectly possible for someone to have positive attitudes about gay people, but have negative ones about sexually explicit materials because these are two different things. Consequently, it is claimed, by being combined into a single measure, things that the creators of the instrument see as "sex-negative" are all lumped together with a kind of guilt by association.
References
- John Ince "The Politics of Lust" (2005 edition ISBN 1-59102-278-9 ; 2003 edition ISBN 0-9696567-1-8)