Defining Desire: How Highly Sexual Women Construct and Assert Their Identity"

• In Event: 30412 - Retheorizing Sex, Desire, and Consent

Abstract

There exists limited research on women who self-identify as highly sexual. This study explores the self-definition of the "highly sexual woman" by women who identify as having strong and frequent sexual desire. In contrast to traditional research that has pathologized or externalized definitions of female sexuality, this study centers the voices of highly sexual women, allowing them to define their own experiences. This study is the result of a five-year recruitment from a variety of outlets. Women between the ages of 20-67, who self-identified as highly sexual responded to the call and participated in an in-depth interview via email or phone. A diverse group in terms of race, education levels, sexual orientation, sexual history, and relationship status, participants revealed feelings of not belonging and feeling like an outsider due to their closeted identity. Self-identified highly sexual women provided their perspectives on what it means to be "highly sexual," with many emphasizing the frequency of desire, the agency to act on that desire, the prioritization of their own pleasure, and the absence of shame in expressing their desire. The findings reveal that the recognition of this identity often occurred early in life, sometimes through masturbation or early sexual experiences, and was shaped by comparison to peers and societal narratives about women’s sexuality. A key aspect of this identity is the empowerment that comes from embracing one’s sexual needs without conforming to restrictive cultural expectations. This research contributes to the growing understanding of women's sexual autonomy, challenging dominant narratives and offering a more nuanced perspective on female desire. Given the topic of women who report a much higher than average sex drive is an under-researched topic, this inquiry is an important one. Also important was allowing women’s voices and perceptions of their lived experiences to be heard.

Author

• Alicia M. Walker, Missouri State University