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Toni Nagy

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The Case for Dry Humping: Why Being Prude Is a Feminist Statement

Posted: 08/10/2011 3:57 pm

How many people's mouths would you stick your finger in? A lot. I would stick my finger in a lot of people's mouths. But how many people would you let stick their finger in your mouth? Not as many! There is a biological difference between the way women and men experience sex, and each gender should view and treat sex in its own way. I think women need a velvet rope and a self-important doorman for their vaginas, monitoring who gets access. If you're not on the list, you are not coming inside.

I am not suggesting a return to an archaic repression of female sexuality, expecting women to be virgins even after they have given birth. The double standard of the male stud and female slut is not only outdated, but also makes no sense. Who are all these guys sleeping with if no one is supposed to put out? Most likely any self-possessed woman is going to spend at least one period of her life on a whore tour and still have the t-shirt to match. Discovering different sides of your sexual self is often achieved through multiple partners, and I think sampling the variety is part of the human experience. But after you have indulged your inner whore, there comes a time to embrace your inner prude as well.

If you sleep with a guy too soon and the sex was bad, you can end up feeling as dirty as massaging a dead rat with your tongue, searching for a scrub brush for your vagina, or maybe even a plunger. But if the sex was good, you would want to do it again, and again, and again. The more you orgasm, the more oxytocin is released in your brain, which is the "bonding hormone." Most likely, you will feel physically and physiologically attached to that guy whose penis was inside you. Go figure. Even if you think you don't "want anything serious" you probably still wonder, question, ponder "where is this all going?"

Of course, not all sex has to be about relationships, but denying the connection between emotions and sex is ignoring the complexity. Sleeping with someone makes you feel something. But isn't that okay? If sex were as intimate as a handshake, what would happen to the magic?

That is why I am an advocate for dry humping. It honors the involvedness of sex, giving you time to actually sort out how you both feel about each other, but still leaves something to build up to. And the likelihood of you feeling like crap because a guy you wiggled around with never called is less then if he actually penetrated your panties. But if you are both attracted to each other, the dry humping session will only make you more so.

This is the thing about attraction. Because of birth control, be it medicinal or condoms, women have the freedom to sleep with men they would never procreate with. But the majority of studies indicate that baby making potential is the main facilitator of lust. From smell indicating a compatible immune system and gene pool for breeding, to pheromones, to symmetry, to signs of fertility. We are pushed by our animal instincts towards making more humans. You wouldn't want to devour him if your animal self didn't crave his sperm. And if you sleep with a guy right away it is not the best way to start a relationship. Not because you should fear his judgment of you, but because things that start fast end fast.

Yet if you audition people with the dry hump, your restraint will not only benefit you, but your fellow female sisters as well. By being a little prude, you are helping the male species remember that being inside a woman's body is actually a really big deal. In the world of nature, the males dance like Michael Jackson, or kill some another dude just to get into some bird's wings. Going home with someone who bought you a beer is hardly worth letting them inside your body. The harder a guy has to work to get into your pants, the better he will treat the girl wearing them. I don't think I have ever regretted waiting to sleep with someone, but I sure as shingles have regretted sleeping with someone too soon.

 

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02:10 PM on 08/19/2011
Everybody posting negatively about this article is just being pretentious. This wasn't written for you 30+ year old people, it was written for girls struggling with the age old question of when is the right time to have sex with somebody you like. I've had this discussion with many of my friends that are girls, from the late teens to early twenties. It's a concern for many young women, and this is the exact advice they need. For people my age, if the girl puts out on the first date, the guy isn't going to respect her as much. It's a sad fact, but it's true. And girls need to realize that they can be and should be the power-brokers in the early stages of a sexual relationship so that men who desire to take advantage of them, can't. And armed with the advice in this article, after a week or two of dry humping the true intentions of these guys will undoubtedly be brought to light, so the girl will be able to weed them out. Well written, Toni.
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10:03 AM on 08/18/2011
"The harder a guy has to work to get into your pants, the better he will treat the girl wearing them."

This is what I disagree with the most.

It's implying that sex is bad. That when you have sex, a guy is taking something from you. Sex should not be about control, it should be about a shared positive experience. You can sleep with someone quickly and still demand and warrant their respect and good treatment.
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sidge
01:07 PM on 08/15/2011
This is essentially an old Ann Landers column with some self-conscious naughtiness thrown in to try to update it. The fact is, your vagina is no more special than my penis. It isn't any more or less sacred than any other part of you - or me. It does not deserve a velvet rope and a self-important doorman. Either you want to be entered or you don't. If you don't, say no and that's the end of it. If you do, there's not a problem. If you're confused about it or ambivalent, again, say no. But not based on this old, tired argument that a woman's genitals are somehow created more equal than the man's. It has been used a justification for manipulating and shackling men (and subsequently women) for centuries and we ought to be better than this. Men and women both have shame about their genitals. With men, it comes out in sexual aggression. With women, it comes out in this kind of psycho-sexual manipulation. But in the end, it still stems from the same shame.
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detroitblkmale30
Wise Men Still Seek Him
10:41 AM on 08/16/2011
Those organs are indeed more sacred than the rest of you. They carry more weight as they obviously can have far deeper impacts on one's life (children, STDs, emotional/physical attachments) than say your hand or legs.
DrSnuggles
You label me and I'll label you
10:36 AM on 08/15/2011
Personally, and this is just me, I think everyone should be having sex when they 'want to' and the 'feel comfortable doing so.' All rules, regulations, making sure you get called for a date at least three days in advance, putting out during a specific time window.....

BS, everyone is unique. All these rules do is confuse our social interactions to the point where we see our romantic interests as enemies or things to be conquered.
09:47 AM on 08/15/2011
Here's a fine idea.. instead of advocating for _____ how about we advocate for people of both genders and all orientations being reasonable and communicating. There's nothing wrong with a hot makeout session, same as there's nothing wrong with having a "friend" come over for wine, pizza and a one off. Getting over oneself and what other people think is the first step. Try it.
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justannesopinion
08:21 PM on 08/14/2011
Seems the gist of the post is to advise women to be selective about who they have sex with and to engage in some clothed make out sessions before deciding to (or whether to) get into a more intimate relationship. OK, but what does that have to do with being a prude? Would you post a headline saying you recommend anorexia, only to have the body of the blog say that it's better not to to stuff yourself at a greasy all you can eat restaurant?
02:30 PM on 08/14/2011
I rarely have the energy to satisfy one woman. Who are all these guys who drop trou at the mere site of a well turned anke?
12:19 AM on 08/14/2011
How does one request only a "dry humping" session? I love making out, but can't imagine what you suggest. Can you elaborate?
03:09 PM on 08/15/2011
Easy, say "no" when he makes the move to make it more.
12:43 PM on 08/16/2011
Um, I wouldn't be "dry humping" in the first place, but per your answer, you'd let it get to the "DH" phase without warning the guy that it wouldn't go any farther. So after he'd gotten all worked up and eager to proceed, you'd put on the brakes.

Doesn't sound like a good position to put oneself in, so to speak.
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infonomics
Your happiness pleases me but must I witness it
01:18 PM on 08/12/2011
The orgasm is the ruse of nature to intice humans to continue their species. The ruse was necessary because no person claiming intelligence would submit to a few moments of pleasure in exchange for a lifetime of utter misery. Indeed, the pinnacle of wisdom is reached when one recognizes and rejects this absurdity. Cynicism? No, that too is just a rhetorical device that evolved to rationalize the irrational. For this disposition, don't blame me, blame the teachers who urged me to read Schopenhauer.
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ProfessorMacphisto
Am I the only sane one left?
03:04 PM on 08/11/2011
"that is why I am an advocate for dry humping"

There is another approach. Open honest discussion of expectations and feelings.
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folkie51
international micro-mini-relations
06:15 PM on 08/11/2011
Lets all stop playing the games. Good answer.
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anelder
07:16 PM on 08/11/2011
Sounds like a man who doesn't get the difference between the sexes is real.
12:12 AM on 08/14/2011
In the heat of first spending a few hours with someone you find to be extremely hot?

I'm not saying I'm in favor of the "dry humping" approach, nor do I advocate giving in to sex too soon, just saying how incredibly intoxicating good chemistry can be.

Sometimes chemistry is all there is. It's sad to find that out after the fact.

I prefer getting to know someone before taking things any farther. "Expectations and feelings" about a new acquaintance can change in a short amount of time.
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Backtalkisahorse
02:03 PM on 08/11/2011
I have been celibate for 8 years and counting. I was in committed relationships when I was younger and I was always cheated on. I realised that I was making bad choices so I decided to take a respite from relationships. In this time period I observed and listened to my friends female colleagues. No matter the type of woman the same thing always happened. Men cheated. Always. Pastors, lawyers, policemen, dentists, teachers, taxidrivers, didn't matter. No matter the financial situation, how much love and fealty the woman was showing --they cheated. Many times the woman knew about the cheating but didn't let on and let him continue to not make more of a mess. Bottom line, I will continue w/ celibacy. It's safer, cheaper, my self esteem is epic, and I get more important things done.
12:16 AM on 08/14/2011
I agree, but not necessarily for the same reason. Life is so very much more serene. It helps that I rarely see anyone that I find to be attractive enough to bother with.
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MissTake1989
Equal means equal, hypocrites.
07:57 AM on 08/14/2011
If everyone fails a test...they usually start taking a hard look at the test.
01:32 PM on 08/11/2011
Seldom has the case for dry humping been more cogently or eloquently put. I must confess I would never have dreamed of calling someone making this argument a prude, so thank you for bringing the whole contentious subject to our attention.

I'd like to see Hollywood explore this "from today's headlines" social issue. Might I suggest a remake of that chaste British classic "Brief Encounter" where the two protagonists stare longingly at each other. This could be tastefully updated to include a quick dry one at the local motel 8.
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01:52 PM on 08/11/2011
I'd love to see your album of "puttings" of the question of dry humping.

Voluminous, is it?
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Backtalkisahorse
02:44 PM on 08/11/2011
While that movie was a nice fantasy, men knew what the female protagonist apparently did not. That if Mr.Handsome Leading Man had just had sex he: a) wouldnt have looked at her at all or b) would've just got her flat # for later. --you know back up. And also something he could brag about to his "mates" at the club.
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Lynda Groom
12:54 PM on 08/11/2011
That was a waste of time and ink.
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moAb
"when bad men combine, the good must associate”
09:29 PM on 08/14/2011
Thank you!!!
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12:12 PM on 08/11/2011
*yawn* Well theres thirty seconds of my life I'll never get back. Thanks a lot Tony Nagy. I'll make a note not to ever read any of your stuff again. And stop projecting your crotch issues onto everyone else. You sound like a nervous pre-teen.
12:06 PM on 08/11/2011
As long as a woman believes she alone gets veto power on sex between two consenting adults, battery makers will be in business. I want a woman who is honest about her sexuality, not some game player who sees herself as the protector of some sacred carnal artifact. And these women wonder why they can't get a man to stay around.....
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Getalifealready
01:18 PM on 08/11/2011
After reading your comment I have to agree with Toni Nagy's advice. If the only reason for you to "stay around" is sex then I hope women continue to deny you entry.
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01:41 PM on 08/11/2011
You apparently understood Valarana's post about as well as what's-her-name at the top of the page understands.... anything related to the topic.
03:46 PM on 08/11/2011
Staying around is not about the sex. It's about the honesty and knowing one's self. You definitely misunderstood my intent. My bad.
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anelder
07:20 PM on 08/11/2011
And as long as the veto power is never used by a man then we shall just have to keep it to ourselves. Keep on showing us what you are and you make the case for us.
10:09 AM on 08/12/2011
Thank you for the compliment.
08:54 PM on 08/13/2011
It's rather ammusing how when a woman is told "no, it's too soon" while in a heated physical situation, you get looked at like you just said the earth is flat and the sun revolves around the earth. There are men who use the "veto power" we just get looked at like we are less than men and never hear from those ladies again.... Kinda the same way women are treated in the same situation. Been there myself... both sides.