Why Straight Women Dig Women

Today's New York Times Thursday Styles section has a very intriguing piece on a recent study conducted by a Dr. Meredith Chivers at the Center for Addiction and Mental Health at the University of Toronto.

In the study, Dr. Chivers "showed people video clips of naked men and women in various sexual and nonsexual situations and measured their genital arousal."

Heterosexual women, Dr. Chivers and her colleagues found, were no more excited by athletic naked men doing yoga or tossing stones into the ocean than they were by the control footage: long pans of the snowcapped Himalayas. When straight women viewed a video of a naked woman doing calisthenics, on the other hand, their blood flow increased significantly.

So, women find the female body more attractive. Interesting. Yet slightly obvious. But Dr. Chivers' point is that there is "a growing body of scientific evidence that places female sexuality along a continuum between heterosexuality and homosexuality, rather than as an either-or phenomenon."

But, she's also quick to point out that this does not make heterosexual women, well, homosexual.

"To conclude that women are bisexual on the basis of their sexual responding overlooks the complexity and multidimensionality of female sexuality," she wrote in her paper. She did allow that the apparent flexibility of women "may be related to greater potential for bisexuality in women than in men."

Read the rest of the article here.

What do you think? As a woman, are you more attracted to the female form or the male form? Men, do you ever find yourselves attracted to the male form? It's a happy place here - share your thoughts below!

Comments

[billkarwin]

I look forward to some future day when scientists finally discover that everyone is different and unique and it's virtually impossible to account for everyone with a few labels or categories.

Until that day, I guess they'll earn a living off of grants to do this kind of research.

[Gary47]

Anyone ever think that in our society especially, women look better than man, are groomed better, wear more fashionable clothes, etc? Of course women are more arousing then men, for anyone who cares to notice.

[avicenna]

I think the first error is concluding that "increased blood flow" = "increased attraction" when looking at yoga pics of women. It could just as easily be interpreted by a desire to get a similar outfit or body - or guilt that they missed their morning workout. The second point is that most people's sexuality exists on a spectrum - and it is likely as influenced by endogenous forces (such as hormones) as it is by culture which plays a role in dictating what is considered "attractive"; so the title of the piece "Why straight women dig women" contains conceptual fallacies.

[robotfog]

that's what I was thinking. They may have been more interested because they were identifying with the pictures rather than being turned on by them.

[research]

They should test womens responses to rich powerful and famous men.

[dora rice]

One more time. A lion doesn't frick another lion and so on. During hardship and war most perverted fads and styles are out of style. We usually occupy ourselves more often with sexuality , when we are bored and have to much time on our hands. The human body needs an outlet. If the body doesn't get it trough physical balance, it will start to use the brain for boredome. It's very easy for a brain to misfire when bored or stressed.

[Jasel]

I don't buy the entire "aesthetically pleasing" argument myself. And I really don't think "straight" women dig women any more than "straight" men dig men. I think one is just much more accepted than the other in mainstream society.

Lesbianism, or straight women messing around with other women, is almost seen as a fad in this country or as some mark of liberation in sexuality or whatever they decide to label it as. I know girls who are staright yet make out with other women and get off to lesbian porn. Their sexuality is rarely questioned. Homosexual behavior in "straight men" however is almost seen as non-existant. If you're a male and you experiment around with other guys or watch gay porn etc there's just no way of explaining that away lol. You're not going to be seen as liberated or open with your sexuality but you will be considered a sexual deviant. Especially if you're in a relationship with a woman (and if you're faithful).

It's a double standard I think which makes women more open to the idea of experimenting with other women. Men do not receive the same consideration which I think makes men less likely to accept the same mentality as women.

[queotic]

"I know girls who are staright yet make out with other women and get off to lesbian porn."

Well...they aren't straight then, are they? The definition of a "straight" woman is one who is only attracted to men. If they make out with other women and get off to lesbian porn, they are clearly attracted to women and bisexual. Many women, for whatever reasons, don't like the label of "bisexual," but that doesn't mean they aren't. I know this from personal experience. Ever since I've had sexual feelings about boys, I've had them about girls too, with many crushes on my female friends. Even when I was dating women, I still considered myself to be straight. It wasn't until I was 18 that I realized being attracted to both women & men = being bi. I think a lot of that has to do with the image of homosexuality as something disgusting & wrong. My feelings for women were so natural that I didn't consider myself bi.

[ORSunshine]

I think the male form looks funny -- and I tried to figure out what was particularly humorous, and it's the asymmetry of their organ. A man from behind can be quite attractive -- especially with firm buttocks. But a woman is more aesthetically pleasing to view (from any angle).

I am completely hetero, but I don't hesitate to admire the beauty of women.

[sculptor]

You may be right. Drawing from my experience, I know that there is a lot more figurative art sold that features women than men and I think that beauty is the reason.

[robotfog]

I agree too. You have to scrounge to find a decent male body, but the female body is generally fantastic just by nature.

[devilyousay]

And every lesbian just let out a huge cheer!

[KillTheMessenger]

There was a time, in antiquity, when the average man was also more than just a little bisexual. 2000 years of Christianity might have bred that out of us. Just a thought... putting it in historic context might help.

[FalconerHK]

"Children, there's a time and place for everything, and that's college."

-Chef

[stepintothelight]

I am soooo turned on .... So ... What is everyone wearing???

[JonasH]

I hope everyone realizes that the male fiction of hot woman on woman action just got a big boost...

[Nooneyouknow]

Dude, it's not a fiction.

[robotfog]

I'm wearing a paper bag... and nothing else

[axt113]

Didn't they already do this study years ago and found out that all women are a little bisexual?

[queotic]

I haven't heard of that study, but from personal experience, pretty much all of my "straight" friends have either hooked up with a girl or admitted that they would.

[ThermoChemist]

I can definitely understand women having the tendency to find other women attractive. No to sound too corny, but I find nothing as aesthetically pleasing to view as the female body (a work of art).

A few quotes come to mind on this subject; though I'm not quite sure on the last (?)"

"...Sure God created man before woman, but then again you always make a rough draft before creating the final masterpiece."

"Women are meant to be loved, not to be understood." -- Oscar Wilde

"If God created a more perfect creature than woman, he kept it to himself."

[mergina]

Why do women dig women? Well sisters, you are NEVER going to have as fab a sexual experience of orgasmic bliss with a man that you can have with another women. Besides, the female body is a work of art. The male anatomy, were it not for those genitals perhaps is ok, but it is so utilitarian...like a jeep.

[Theda]

Sorry, Mergina, but I've received incredible orgasms from men! Some guys are really great at lovemaking. If it's never happened for you (with a guy), well...so be it!
But don't stereotype ALL men as sexual incompetents. Some of us ladies are totally turned on by the male body. When they're in good shape, they too are a work of art.

[sigismundokafka]

A JEEP? Jeez, thanks a lot, Mergina!
I mean, I reluctantly agree, but couldn't we at least be equated to, say, a Bentley or something?
Hmm.
Sidenote:
Interesting that the above comment would never be perceived as objectifying men....
Of course, it is true.
Sigh.

[karenanne]

I'm hetero, but the male body just is not usually as aesthetic as the female body. I'm not sure it's a sexual reaction. I mean hairy legs, and so on, this is not attractive.

Compare stars on the red carpet. Hmm, maybe if guys dressed like in the Regency era. I would like that.