Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Thoughts on Sex and Labels Pt 1

Well, yesterday’s post sort of just happened. As I have implied, I wasn’t really sure how all of this was going to take shape, but now I feel that I have a good format to follow.  And as I also stated before, I promise all of this is leading up to my current situation.  I know that it keeps you in suspense when I say that.  I think it will all be worth the wait.  You’ll be the judge when we get there.

Now is the best time to explain the different categories that my ‘relationships’ fall into.  I think it will give you a better idea of me and the way that I work.  That, or you’ll think I’m some sort of boy-crazy tramp.  Which, maybe I am by your standards, you’ll make a decision of your own regardless of how I put it.

Okay, so my categorizations. Here we go:

:Boyfriends: (Referred to as such in future blogs!)
Most people don’t need this one explained.  I’ve had a surprisingly small amount of these.  I said I’d divulge, and I will.  But these are brief descriptions.  A boyfriend to me is when I am exclusive with only one guy.  I don’t see anyone else, and I’m not actively seeking other males to be around.  A boyfriend, like most other things in life, is a label. Monogamy isn’t my favorite thing, but every once in a while you find someone who makes you forget there might be anyone else out there.  It can be nice.  I’ve enjoyed the boyfriends I’ve had, but like I said, there haven’t been many.

:Consistent Relationships: (Referred to as SemComs [Semi Committed Relationships] in future posts)
This is the kind I’ve had the most of.  These are non-exclusive, but like the name says, consistent.  Basically it was being together without a label.  We weren’t official, so seeing other people was okay, but that rarely happened.  It was nice to have someone, but nice not to have to claim them.  Not booty-calls…because it was emotional too, and we did other things besides sex.  But convenient because you always had someone to have sex with.  And if it wasn’t like that, well, that’s where the next category comes into play.

:Benefit-Only Relationships: (Referred to as Bed Buddies in future posts)
 I hesitate calling it a relationship, because really it was just for sex.  But that is a kind of relationship…so it is part of this list of categories.  These are booty-calls.  Like the title says, it’s just about getting it on, and little else. I also like to call these ‘Filler’ relationships.  Because they fill in the time between Consistent relationships if your ‘partner’ isn’t available for fun-time, or you aren’t in that sort of place yet.  These are my favorite kind, if I’m being 100% honest.  But they also come with a certain amount of guilt.  I always feel like no matter how they start and finish…someone is always using someone.  Someone always feels more than the other and someone always gets hurt.  I find that it never ends up being me that’s hurt.  Maybe that’s conceited…but it’s the truth.

:One Night Stands: (Referred to as such in future posts)
Another one that doesn’t need an explanation.  In all fairness, I have only experienced one of these.  It was awkward to say the least.  I’ve never been interested in having another one.   Not that it wasn’t good, because it was.  The morning after just isn’t worth it.  I’m too much of a control freak for any of that.

And then there’s the final category…

The :“I know you’re not good for me, but I’m hopelessly in love with you and will disrupt my whole life for you whenever you come calling, which isn’t that often because we’re not on the same page” kind.: (Referred to as The Messy Relationship in future posts)
Yes, it’s a mouthful.  And I am one of the oh-so-lucky people to have one.  This, technically, has been my longest relationship, but only because it spans years.  It has never been consistent.  It has never been predictable.  And it is my one weakness.  I will delve deeper into this mess later, because it’s a huge part of why I do what I do…and why I am at where I am.

I guess this would be as good a time as any to tell you my personal views on women and sex.  I find the whole idea that a woman who is comfortable with her body and sexuality, who enjoys engaging in sexual activity, is responsible about who and how she engages in it and isn't shy about who knows should be labeled any of the derogatory terms used by men and other women to describe someone who isn't a prude quite ridiculous.  I’m not prude-shaming.  I firmly believe that if you have a certain view, or belief or conviction that you should stick to it, regardless of what it may be.  But once you start projecting these views onto others to judge them, or to build some sort of self-righteous opinion of yourself, that’s when it becomes wrong.  No one has the right to tell you how to live your life based on their own personal beliefs.

I don’t see anything wrong with what I do.  I don’t judge anybody for their decisions concerning sex.  I don’t think that who you do it with, how you do it, or how often you do it should be any indication of the kind of life that you lead.  I would never call anybody a whore, slut or tramp because I just don’t believe that those words are appropriate for any situation.

That being said, I have been called many variations of those words because I am a woman who enjoys being with men.  There is an enormous double standard where sex is concerned.  Men who enjoy it (and let’s be honest, what man doesn’t…) and have multiple partners, or always have a different partner, are considered Alpha Males.  Women who do the same get called tramps.  I never saw much sense in that.

There is nothing wrong with knowing what you like and going for it.  There is nothing wrong with enjoying sex and having lots of it.  Now, of course, with anything there are limits.  I think you have to be smart about it.  Use protection, know who you’re sliding into bed with enough to know if they’ll respect you and your wants and needs (Hence, my single one night stand experience).  In other words, don’t be an idiot.

If you set some rules, follow them and don’t make exceptions, I think you can avoid the negative things usually associated with sex (unwanted pregnancy, STI’s, AIDS, emotional/physical damage, etc…). 

You can disagree with my views all you want, but nothing you say will make me feel guilty about it.  You can’t change my mind or shame me into altering my lifestyle.  This is how I have always felt.  Sex is a good thing.  It’s not dirty or shameful or a huge secret.  It is a physical expression of love, or affection, or desire.  There’s nothing wrong with two people sharing in it, if they’re both ready and responsible.

Since this is turning into a huge, long post, I have decided to split it into two posts.  Tune in next time for Part 2!!


--Lemi

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