Marguerite de Navarre: what crack was she on, and can we have some? And more about sex

[elettaria]

Somewhere between the Pyrenees and the Alps there once lived a nobleman by the name of Thogas. He had a wife, children, a fine house and so much wealth and pleasure that he had every good reason to be content with life. Apart from one thing. He was subject to great pain beneath the roots of his hairs. The pain was so severe that the doctors advised him to stop sleeping with his wife.

Marguerite de Navarre, The Heptameron, Story 54.

We're having quite an interesting discussion about a peculiar TV programme called "Virgin School" in king_laugh's journal here, if anyone wants to jump in. Topics for discussion here in mine, prompted by a variety of sources:

* Prostitution - should it be legalised?
* Sexual surrogacy - useful? creepy? unprofessional? a great idea?
* Virginity - what does it mean, and do we like the concept in the first place?
* Should vibrators be available on the NHS?

Comments

[sweetrush.livejournal.com]

I'm in the middle of finals and full of death so this is going to be very brief - feel free to poke for more discussion, I will be very happy to indulge in it tomorrow.

1) ...Is it not legal in Scotland, then? Yes, I'm very much for legalising or at least decriminalising sex work in general.

2) Very useful, no creepier than any other sex work, although obvoiusly a complicated matter that deserves tons of discussion in terms of what is appropriate for individual cases. You may find this to be interesting reading.

3) Whatever you want it to, within reason (I use risk of pregnancy or STI transmission as my benchmark) - or absolutely anything you want it to so long as you add your definition to any statements of your virgin (or not) status. And no I don't like the concept it's loaded and stupid.

4) Cock rings are, actually, but I think I'd go with no on this one. Although I guess they could make a profit selling £3 bullet vibes for the £6 prescription charge! However, I would be all for doctors recommending specific sex toys or brands when appropriate.

[sweetrush.livejournal.com]

The bit about the cock rings I'm not entirely sure about, btw - someone told me they were, but a brief google hasn't turned up anything. I'll ask her about it and get back to you.

[sweetrush.livejournal.com]

Aha! Cock rings and penis pumps available on the NHS if you have a medical condition causing impotence.

I go bed now.