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This article examines the ways in which three women poets of the long nineteenth-century – Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806–1861), Emily Brontë (1818–1848) and Charlotte Mew (1869–1928) – represent fame in their work in terms of a tense sexualised dynamic of attraction and repulsion, variously modelled as femme-fatale-like seduction, repressed lust and the activity in, and consequences of, what Mew terms the “tossed bed” (“Fame”, l. 19). The focusing of fame through the ideas of sexuality and embodiment enables these writers to reflect, explicitly or implicitly, upon the gendered nature of literary creation, public voice and visibility, and thereby to negotiate, at least in part, the complex legacies of the “poetess”. In deploying innovative experiments with structure, form and language, Barrett Browning, Brontë and Mew repeatedly reveal fame’s double-edged nature, as something which may be alluring and enthralling in terms of desire, yet simultaneously silencing and threatening to the intellectual and creative life of the poet. The poems examined here consequently demonstrate that succumbing to fame is something which must be resisted at all costs in order to maintain personal and poetic integrity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diagnostic of sexual desire disorders is based on not only physiological and psychological symptoms but also on the extent of distress about these symptoms. Using data from a 2022 national survey of 3,000 respondents in Austria, this paper explores the range of relational distress individuals experience about their level of sexual desire. Participants were asked, ‘Have you ever been ostracised or ridiculed in your life for feeling too much (not enough) sexual desire? If yes, in what way?’ Gender and sexual minorities were more likely than cisgender and heterosexual participants to report negative reactions to their level of desire. The paper presents the results of a thematic analysis of the 341 written answers to the latter question. The analysis identified three themes: a) harassment, such as mocking, bullying, or public humiliation; b) the pathologization of desire as a sexual disorder; and c) negative social classification with respect to gender, age, or sexual orientation. By investigating different types of negative social reactions that individuals experience with respect to their level of sexual desire, the paper critically questions an individualised notion of sexual distress that has often been the basis for biomedical and psychological interventions by highlighting social factors that produce distress in the first place. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper argues that the historical process of the Sinicization of Buddhism and the evolution of the value of female roles in Buddhist beliefs have advanced hand in hand; the more Buddhism becomes Sinicized, the higher the status of women in Buddhist beliefs becomes. To some extent, the Sinicization of Buddhism can be considered a feminization process. Female roles in Buddhist beliefs are often passive objects and marginal positions that are uncertain and continuously presupposed by others. This article starts from a cultural, philosophical perspective, aiming to examine the internal logic of the evolution of female roles in Buddhist beliefs. In terms of individual experience, the highlighting of the identity as a "subject" of sexual desire makes women a necessary but insufficient prerequisite "option" for guiding male sexual desire—in Indian Buddhist beliefs, women's enlightenment involves both reflecting on sexual desire itself and negating their own gender disadvantage. As Buddhism spread worldwide, Western Buddhist traditions laid the foundation of Buddhist belief on "sacred images", while various local cultural genes infiltrated the imagination of "Western Buddhist nations". The Buddha's gender orientation achieved a transcendence of both male and female or a bilateral blend, leaning more towards female. Ultimately, from the perspective of family identity, in a Chinese Buddhist belief world organized by the patriarchal system, the unique role of women in the family—"mother"—pushes Buddhist belief back to the scene of the emotional world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pregnancy loss affects 1 in 4 women and is linked with poorer overall health and relationship outcomes. Despite sexual well-being's importance to health, how sexual well-being changes across time after a pregnancy loss and what might predict such changes, like perinatal grief, have never been examined, leaving practitioners and couples without knowledge of what to expect. Aim: We aimed to examine (1) how sexual satisfaction, sexual desire, sexual distress, and perinatal grief change from 10 to 25 weeks postloss for both couple members; and (2) if perinatal grief levels at 10 weeks postloss predict sexual well-being trajectories. Methods: Women and gender-diverse individuals who were pregnant when a pregnancy loss occurred (within the last 4 months) and men, women, and gender-diverse partners who were not pregnant (N = 132 couples) independently completed 4 monthly assessments of sexual well-being and perinatal grief. Outcomes: Outcomes included sexual satisfaction (Global Measure of Sexual Satisfaction), sexual desire (Sexual Desire Inventory), sexual distress (Sexual Distress Scale–Short Form), perinatal grief (Perinatal Grief Scale). Results: Dyadic growth curve modeling indicated that, from 10 to 25 weeks postloss, both couple members' sexual satisfaction increased, and their sexual desire remained stable; sexual distress decreased for partners but remained stable for individuals who were pregnant; and both couple members' perinatal grief decreased. Perinatal grief levels at 10 weeks postloss did not predict sexual well-being trajectories over time. Clinical Implications: Given sexual well-being's dynamic nature, clinicians should regularly discuss sexuality with both couple members after pregnancy loss. During such discussions, clinicians could reassure couples about their sexual relationship's recovery by sharing that, on average, sexual satisfaction, sexual desire, and sexual distress tend to improve or stay the same (rather than worsen) from 10 to 25 weeks postloss. They can also share that perinatal grief tends to decrease during this time and is unrelated to trajectories of sexual satisfaction, sexual desire, and sexual distress. Strengths and limitations: This is the first study, to our knowledge, to examine how sexual well-being changes across time after a pregnancy loss and perinatal grief's role in such changes. The results may not generalize broadly, as most couples were in mixed-gender/sex relationships, identified as White, and were relatively affluent. Conclusion: From 10 to 25 weeks postloss, both couple members tend to experience improvements in their overall sexual well-being and declines in their perinatal grief. Early perinatal grief levels and subsequent sexual well-being trajectories are seemingly unrelated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) is a frequent sex-related problem in women; however, a specific tool to characterize HSDD subtypes based on sexual inhibitory and excitatory factors is still lacking. Aim: (1) To find a cutoff value in Sexual Inhibition Scale (SIS)/Sexual Excitation Scale (SES) scores predicting a diagnosis of HSDD in women consulting for sexual symptoms, (2) to explore the sexual inhibitory and excitatory profiles in women referred to a clinic for female sexual dysfunction by stratifying the sample according to the newfound cutoffs, and (3) to identify biopsychosocial factors significantly associated with the 2 profiles. Methods: An overall 133 women consulting for sexual symptoms were retrospectively evaluated for clinical, biochemical, and psychosexologic data collected at the first visit. A subgroup of 55 women treated with transdermal testosterone was retrospectively analyzed at baseline and the 6-month visit. Outcomes: Patients underwent physical and laboratory examinations and completed the SIS/SES, Female Sexual Function Index, Female Sexual Distress Scale–Revised, Emotional Eating Scale, and Middlesex Hospital Questionnaire. Results: Specific cutoffs for SIS1 (≥32.5; indicating threat of performance failure) and SES (≤46.5) predicted HSDD diagnosis with an accuracy of 66.4% (P = .002) and 68.7% (P < .0001), respectively. Patients with impaired SIS1 scores showed higher distress and psychopathologic symptoms, while those with impaired SES scores demonstrated lower desire and arousal and a negative association with some metabolic and hormonal parameters. SES score also showed a significant predictive value on testosterone treatment efficacy for HSDD. Clinical Translation: A better characterization of HSDD would enable individualized treatment based on the main underlying etiologies. Strengths and Limitations: Limitations of the study include the small sample size and cross-sectional retrospective design, with the choice of treatment for HSDD limited to transdermal testosterone. Strengths comprise the thorough and multifactorial evaluation of every aspect potentially affecting inhibitory and excitatory components of sexual desire. Conclusion: Validated cutoffs of SIS/SES scores could allow deep characterization of women diagnosed with HSDD, thus ensuring better tailoring of therapy and prediction of the probability of response to specific treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Much has been written about the need for greater integration between the fields of sex therapy and couples therapy, as sex is an integral part of many intimate relationships. Sexual desire discrepancy (SDD) is a common relationship issue that couples therapists are likely to encounter; however, they receive limited and varying degrees of training on how to approach and treat sexual issues like SDD. Emotionally focused therapy (EFT) is an empirically supported approach to couples therapy that offers a structure for strengthening relational bonds. The current literature on using EFT for sexual issues in general, and desire discrepancy specifically, focuses on adapting EFT to treat sexual issues by mapping out the sexual cycle and using an attachment lens to increase emotional safety. The PLISSIT model and its extension the Ex-PLISSIT model are multi-pronged approaches commonly used in sex therapy that provide a guide for how to initiate and progress therapeutic treatment of sexual issues. This article explores how incorporating the PLISSIT and Ex-PLISSIT models into EFT can offer additional benefits to clients and practitioners alike. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

\nHIGHLIGHTSInfertility affects 8–12% of couples globally, with male factors contributing to around 40% of cases. Common male infertility issues include erectile dysfunction (ED) and low sperm count or quality, which account for over 90% of cases. These problems often result from anatomical, hormonal, or genetic abnormalities. This review focuses on natural aphrodisiac herbs commonly used to address ED, providing detailed information on their botanical characteristics, metabolic pathways, recommended dosages, phytochemical properties, side effects, origins, and traditional uses. It also reviews recent studies on medicinal herbs that boost sexual desire and treat urological conditions. By compiling reliable findings from the past decade, the study aims to serve as a comprehensive resource for individuals dealing with sexual health issues. Through careful evaluation of each herb, it offers insights into their effectiveness and limitations, emphasizing the potential of natural treatments as complementary alternatives to conventional therapies for male infertility and related conditions.Anatomy, hormone abnormalities and genetic flaws may contribute to male infertility.The most popular natural aphrodisiac herbs used in the treatment of infertility were revised.Unique and reliable references to sexual desire and urological problems were provided.Safe aphrodisiac herbs including phytochemical products were emphasized.Plants were investigated for their potential as aphrodisiacs and fertility enhancersAnatomy, hormone abnormalities and genetic flaws may contribute to male infertility.The most popular natural aphrodisiac herbs used in the treatment of infertility were revised.Unique and reliable references to sexual desire and urological problems were provided.Safe aphrodisiac herbs including phytochemical products were emphasized.Plants were investigated for their potential as aphrodisiacs and fertility enhancers [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article we describe fertility and the sexual aspects of several (pediatric) urological conditions: hypospadias, spina bifida and bladder exstrophy-epispadias. Hypospadias is a very common condition. Especially males with a more severe, proximal hypospadias can develop problems with sexual wellbeing. Approximately 10% experience difficulties with erections and ejaculation. The overall sexual wellbeing seems to be comparable to that of men without hypospadias. Spina bifida patients are sexually active and have just as much sexual desire as the general population. Fertility in general is reduced and female patients need adjusted doses of folic acid preconception. Urine- and fecal incontinence are important negative factors for sexual wellbeing. Bladder exstrophy-epispadias is very rare, but the complexity of this condition requires transition of care and long-term follow-up. Extensive reconstructions may be associated with problems in various phases of life. The cosmetic appearance of the penis is often a point of concern due to a short and wide aspect despite reconstruction. Urological involvement during pregnancy is preferable in mothers with exstrophy. In general, patients with these conditions are in need of good education and guidance. Preferably pro-active, thus initiated by the doctor, and with easy access to a psychologist and/sexologist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper explores Manto's selected short stories i.e. Toba Tek Singh, The Dog of Tetwal, Ten Rupees, Blouse, Khol Do, Licence, For Freedom, and Smell from thematic perspectives. Manto deftly presents the issues of his time through the sentiments and experiences of his characters. The psychological impact of the partition, people's attitude towards animals after partition whether they belong to which country, how the hunger of stomach compels females to sell their body for survival, adultery, extramarital affairs, morality influencing human relationships, hormonal changes during adolescent period resulting in emotional turmoil, communal riots resulting in bloodshed and loss of families, lust, fear, female victims' conditioning to surrender their body for survival to the lusty inhabitants, atrocities of the British on native Indians, freedom as a desired dream and female body as a sight for respite are some of the major concerns, Manto addresses in these texts. Thus, the writer unfolds the aftermaths of chaos, and unrest to the world while presenting the picture of society he lived in. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the poetics of touch and female fetishism in Lynn Nottage's play "Intimate Apparel." The author argues that the fetish object in the play serves as a creative medium for female expression, knowledge, and fantasy, rather than devaluing femininity. The protagonist, Esther Mills, uses her attachment to fabrics and garments as a way to navigate her own femininity and overcome feelings of loss and alienation. The article also discusses the transformative power of the fetish object and its influence on Esther's evolution throughout the play. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED) and sex hormone profile disturbances are common in ESRD patients. Objective: To assess the effect of kidney transplant (KT) and Hemodialysis/peritoneal dialysis (HD/PD) on the serum sex hormone profile and sexual functions in ESRD patients with ED. Patients and methods: A single-center, non-concurrent cohort study included a hundred ESRD patients with ED, on regular HD/PD (group A, n = 50) and after KT (group B, n = 50) at Armed Forces Hospitals Southern Region, KSA. Results: the mean age of patients was 47.3 ± 7.01 and 56.8 ± 9.6 years in groups A and B, respectively. The cohorts were comparable regarding patient demographics, apart from a higher incidence of comorbidities in group B. After KT the mean testosterone level was higher in Group B (13.64 ± 3.21 nmol/L Vs 10.26 ± 3.26 nmol/L, p < 0.001). Similarly, LH and prolactin levels were lower in group B than in group A (p < 0.05). As regards sexual function, ED was reported in 92% of patients in group A compared to 42% in group B (p < 0.001). In groups A and B, mild ED was found in 48% and 14% of patients, while moderate ED was found in 16% and 8%, respectively. The mean total IIEF-15 score was 36.42 ± 9.33 and 43.87 ± 9.146 in groups A and B, respectively (p = 0.0001). Sexual desire and orgasm were significantly better in Group B. Conclusions: Our study showed that kidney transplantation could improve erectile function and restore normal sex hormone levels in ESRD male patients with ED, with better outcomes compared to HD/PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article "The Sexual and Racial Politics of Intimacy in Thomas A. Digges's Adventures of Alonso (1775)" published in Early American Literature explores the extensive geographical and epistemological scope of the two-volume picaresque novel Adventures of Alonso. The narrative follows Alonso, a Portuguese-born protagonist, on episodic travels across the Atlantic world, focusing on the small-scale intimacies between male protagonists. The text delves into the regulation and management of intimacy across transatlantic spaces, highlighting how Adventures of Alonso constructs notions of liberal subjectivity and relationality through exclusion and affective distancing of racialized, gendered, and sexualized individuals. The article examines how the novel uses intimacy to reorganize bodies into a fantasy of democratic social form while dismissing others as politically expendable, ultimately revealing the racialized and sexualized dynamics at play in the narrative. [Extracted from the article]

Will human sexuality survive the passage to Artificial Intelligence? To answer this question properly, we should first analyze the paradoxical inner structure of sexuality itself, which is never simply binary: it always involves a third element that gives body to the deadlock of sexual difference - this is what Lacan meant by "there is no sexual difference." This is why sexuality is in itself excessive and perverse. For this reason, all attempts to "normalize" sexuality by way of keeping it within the limits of moderation miserably fail: today, we find on the market products deprived of their dangerous element (coffee without caffeine, chocolate without sugar...), and the moderate sexuality is sexuality without sex. The Buddhist attempts to contain the excess sexuality miss the point of sexuality: intense sexuality is in itself the greatest sacrifice (the sacrifice of peaceful moderate life) - in sexuality, we enjoy the pain, the renunciation itself. However, today, in our world pervaded by commodification and technological inventions, real human partners are more and more replaced by what Lacan called lathouses, artificial objects aimed at satisfying our sexual desire without another human being (plastic phalluses, digitalized pornography). The result is that we are thrown into a space of limitless pleasures where, although "everything is permitted," our intense sexual desire gets anaestheticized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Rezum alleviates lower urinary tract symptoms secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) while preserving sexual function, but long-term sexual function outcomes are lacking in patients with baseline erectile dysfunction (ED). Aim: The study sought to analyze 4 years of real-world sexual function outcomes of Rezum using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire, stratified by baseline ED status. Methods: Participants included multiethnic Rezum-treated patients from a single outpatient office. IIEF domains and BPH medication usage were compared at baseline and 6, 12, and 48 months using t tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, chi-square tests, and Wilcoxon signed rank tests. Outcomes: Primary outcomes over 4 years included the IIEF functional domains (erectile function [EF], orgasmic function [OF], sexual desire [SD], intercourse satisfaction [IS], overall satisfaction [OS]) and BPH medication usage. Results: A total of 91 patients were included: 40 (44%) in the ED cohort and 51 (56%) in the no ED cohort. History of diabetes was more prevalent in the ED cohort (35% vs 15.7%; P = .048). Baseline scores in the EF, OF, IS, and OS domains were lower in the ED cohort. Compared with baseline, there were no significant changes in any IIEF domains in either cohort at 6 months. At 12 months, the ED cohort had significant percent decreases in OF (−25%; P = .02), SD (−22.2%; P = .04), and OS (−33.3%; P = .004); the no ED cohort had a significant percent increase in EF (5%; P = .04). At 48 months, the no ED cohort had no significant changes in any IIEF domains, while the ED cohort had significant percent increases in EF (30%; P = .01), SD (22.5%; P = .02), IS (20%; P = .01), and OS (58.3%; P = .008). Both cohorts significantly discontinued BPH medications at all follow-ups. At 48 months, there were no cases of de novo ED in the no ED cohort. Clinical Implications: As modern BPH therapies continue to demonstrate efficacy in alleviating lower urinary tract symptoms, the preservation or improvement of sexual function emerges as an increasingly important consideration for patients, with our study suggesting Rezum as a compelling option. Strengths and Limitations: Our study has the strength of long-term Rezum outcomes in an ethnically diverse patient population, stratified by the presence of baseline ED, but is limited by retrospective design, single-center nature, and small sample sizes at long-term follow-ups. Conclusion: Rezum preserved long-term sexual function in patients without baseline ED and improved sexual function in those with baseline ED; however, individuals with ED may experience temporary decreases in sexual function at 12 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mulla Sadra considers the speaking soul to have perceptive and executive functions. The human soul can make the right choice in the path of thought to action with the presence of practical reason during conflicts that may arise between the speaking power and other powers of the soul. This research intends to explain the choice in Sadra's works with a descriptive and analytical method; a choice that is only sometimes rational. To explain the truth of rational choice, Sadra pays attention to the roles that practical reason can play in the process of optional action. According to him, practical reason overcomes illusion and reflects on imaginary perceptions, sometimes it does not confirm them as useful. By standing against some animal passions (lust and anger), it prevents their aggravation. He carries out the minor matters that he himself has decreed to be permissible, good and beautiful, with resolute determination. Through an optional verb, the ego is continuously choosing. By fully fulfilling these roles, practical reason realizes a rational and good choice, and on the contrary, with the absence of practical reason, a bad and inhuman practical choice will definitely be formed. Human action is human only when the scientific part of the soul reaches a scientific and rational understanding and combines this understanding with a decisive determination that is achieved in the area of the practical part in the light of practical rationality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Common conceptions of romantic love suggest that romantic love is associated with increased sexual activity with more frequent sex in the earlier stages of a romantic relationship. To our knowledge, no studies have investigated individual-level factors and sexual frequency using a validated measure of romantic love. This study tested a number of hypotheses about the factors associated with sexual frequency among 720 sexually active young adults experiencing romantic love from the Romantic Love Survey 2022. We hypothesized that relationship duration, the intensity of romantic love and obsessive thinking about a loved one, commitment, and hypomanic-like features would be associated with sexual frequency. Using hierarchical linear regression, controlling for known covariates, we found no significant associations between any of our variables of interest and the sexual frequency and our entire model of 14 well-reasoned predictors explained only 4.06% of the variation in sexual frequency. The findings are surprising and highlight how little is currently known about sexual activity and sexual desire among individuals experiencing romantic love. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Breast cancer remains the most prevalent cancer among women, with its incidence rising globally. Post-mastectomy survivors often face significant psychosexual challenges impacting their quality of life. This study investigates the psychosexual disturbances experienced by post-mastectomy women and their male partners, aiming to highlight these issues and propose suitable interventions. Methods: This cross-sectional, open-ended questionnaire study was conducted over two months with 50 post-mastectomy women and their male partners from a hospital-based setting. Participants were assessed for psychological effects, sexual disturbances, and emotional involvement through detailed questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SPSS software and represented through numerical and graphical formats. Results: The study revealed that 70% of women experienced significant psychological disturbances, including disturbed sleep patterns, depression, and a loss of self-worth. Sexual dysfunction was prominent, with reduced sexual desire, lubrication issues, and dyspareunia reported by 70% of participants. Psychological distress was more pronounced in women under 45 years. Male partners exhibited fewer disturbances, but some reported issues with sexual desire and comfort, particularly in younger age groups. Emotional involvement decreased in younger women, with increased domestic friction noted. Discussion: The findings underscore a high prevalence of psychosexual issues among post-mastectomy women and their partners, with significant age-related variations. Psychological and sexual problems are considerable and multifaceted, impacting overall quality of life. The need for comprehensive pre-and post-surgery counseling is emphasized to address these challenges effectively. Conclusion: Psychosexual morbidity is prevalent among breast cancer survivors and their partners, with notable impacts on sexual function and emotional well-being. Effective intervention strategies, including multidisciplinary sexual counseling, are essential to improve the quality of life for these individuals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western Medicine both have shown efficacy in treating male sexual dysfunction (MSD). The aim of this perspective paper is to discuss a possible link between Western medicine and TCM in the MSD field as represented by the entity of Klotho. Klotho is a recently discovered protein, mainly expressed in the kidney, encoded by the anti‐aging gene klotho. Not only is Klotho significantly correlated with the development and progression of kidney diseases and their complications, but increasing evidence indicates that it is also closely related to MSD. A comprehensive search within PubMed database was performed to retrieve available evidence on Klotho's roles, particularly in kidney and in MSD. Indeed, in the TCM theory, the concept of the "kidney" is entirely different from the Western medicine: it is closely related to metabolism and to the reproductive, nervous, endocrine systems, being more than just a urinary organ. According to the "Kidney storing essence (jīng) and governing reproduction" (KSEGR) theory, a cornerstone in TCM, the treatment of MSD mainly consists of restoring the kidney's function. Signs of decreasing kidney essence show a consistent similarity to deficiencies of Klotho, also for what regards the male sexual function. Based on the current evidence, Klotho may represent a potential biological indicator for sexual desire and sexual function and a kind of new scientific Silk Road between TCM and Western medicine for MSD; nevertheless, there is a need to conduct further high‐quality research to prove this hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Sexuality is a central aspect of being human that encompasses many facets. Cannabis, a widely used psychoactive substance, has been associated with various effects on sexuality. The relationship between cannabis and sexuality is complex and multifaceted, involving physiological, psychological, and social factors. Objectives: This review aims to provide an overview of the current literature on the effects of cannabis on several sexual functions, including sexual desire, arousal, orgasm, and sexual satisfaction. It also discusses the potential mechanisms underlying these effects, as well as the impact of dose and frequency of use. Results: This review has revealed a complex relationship between cannabis dosage and its influence on sexuality. It appears that the frequency of cannabis use in humans has been associated with the frequency of sexual activities. Individuals who use cannabis more frequently tend to report higher levels of sexual activity. Moreover, there is a notable gender difference in how cannabis affects sexuality. In addition, we found lower doses of cannabis to be linked to heightened sexual desire and enjoyment, whereas higher doses may lead to a decrease in sexual desire and performance. Conclusions: Overall, the association between cannabis and sexuality is complex and warrants further research to better understand the psychological and neurological mechanisms that underlie the effect of cannabis on these sexuality functions and its implications for sexual health. To advance in this endeavor, a crucial step is establishing a precise measurement of dosage in human studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The Butlerian theory of performativity and subversive performative acts has been always helped to consider the situation of female gender construction in the heteronormative cultures. The situation of male gender identity and roles in the bipolar cultures has not yet been studied and the hegemonic functional context of the heterosexuality was not considered to be effective in the construction of male gender identity and roles. In the light of Judith Butler’s theory, different male individuals are coming into consideration and the complimentary parts to the theory of performativity will be revealed. The present research is the first study of the male gender identities and roles in the light of the Butlerian theory of performativity to understand whether these individuals follow the same constructive elements and react performatively and subversively or not. The importance of the present research is that the representative of the matrix of power, as depicted by Williams, can be female individuals as well as male identities. In these cases, female characters attempt to oblige male gender identities to remain under the control of the heterosexism and understand the binaries that differentiates two intelligible gender identities. On the other hand, the variety of male gender identities that Williams illustrates, provide the opportunity to consider how male gender identity and roles react to the parodic acts and construct their identity through performative acts or subversive performativity. Another significant finding in this research is that to the time that homosexual male gender identities keep their lack of continuity among sex, gender, and sexual desire, they are allowed to live in the cultural context without receiving any harms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Much research looking at Queer migration focuses on the movement of people between countries and continents, where countries of origin are deemed unsafe. However, literature shows that in South Africa there are more people migrating internally than those migrating into South Africa from other countries. In this article, I draw on 15 interviews with BlackQueers who moved from rural to urban areas in South Africa to explain their Queer-centric motivations for migrating internally, which enabled them to "confront what it means to be Queer" through physical and digital interactions. The digital world is important because it surpasses fixed geographies. Digital spaces offer a refuge that may not be available in offline spaces even when there are legal protections that state that this should not be the case. This article provokes transnational scholarship to pay equal attention to movements within countries and digital spaces as it does to cross-country flows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

يحاول البحث دراسة ملامح الكتابة بالجسد في كتابات المرأة، وبخاصة أن هذه الكتابات شكلت رؤية جديدة مغايرة للكتابة في حد ذاتها، لما تتمتع به كتابتهن من وعي عميق بالجسد، ومع ازدياد كتابات المرأة التي تعلن عن جرأتها في التعامل مع الجسد وفضح المسكوت عنه والإفصاح عن العالم الداخلي، مما يحمل تحولًا وتغيرًا في التعبير عن هويتها الأنثوية، نابعًا من رفضها لأن تقف عاجزة تكتفي بقراءة ما تنتجه الكتابات عنها إلى أن تتولى زمام العملية الإبداعية، لتعبر عن وعي عميق بخصوصيتها في الإبداع الأدبي. وقد اختار البحث دراسة الأعمال الروائية للكاتبة الجزائرية فضيلة الفاروق؛ لما تميزت به تجربتها الروائية من احتفاء بتيمة الجسد وكيفية إبرازه بصورة مغايرة، تحمل الجمع بين نظرة المجتمع الذكوري في التعامل مع الجسد وبين جرأتها في التعبير والانتقال من الجسد حسيا إلى الجسد كنص، وقد حاول البحث الإجابة على مجموعة من التساؤلات، أهمها : كيف استطاعت الأعمال الروائية التعامل مع الجسد والكشف عن الهوية الأنثوية، وكيف استطاعت العبور من الوعي العميق بالجسد الأنثوي إلى كتابة الجسد نصًا، وقد اقتضى ذلك التعامل مع آليات المنهج التحليلي الوصفي، مع الاتجاه صوب النقد الثقافي؛ رغبة في فضح الصورة الذهنية الثابتة في الموروث الثقافي، وانتهى البحث إلى مجموعة من النتائج، لعل من أهمها: جرأة النصوص الروائية في التعبير عن الجسد، بصورة أخرجته من الصورة الثقافية التي عاشت داخل الموروث المجتمعي، وعدم حصره في كونه رمزا للعار أو أداة للشهوة ، بل التعامل معه كجزء من الهوية الأنثوية، التي لا يمكن حصرها في أطر أو قيود، بحكم كونها أنثى.Abstract The research attempts to study the features of writing with the body in women’s writings, especially since these writings formed a new vision different from writing itself, due to their writing’s deep awareness of the body, and with the increase in women’s writings declaring their boldness in dealing with the body, exposing what is kept secret and disclosing The inner world, which carries a transformation and change in the expression of her feminine identity, stemming from her refusal to stand helpless and content herself with reading what writings produce about her until she takes control of the creative process to express a deep awareness of its specificity in literary creativity, the current research chose to study the novels of the Algerian writer Fadela Al-Farouq. Because her novelistic experience was distinguished by her celebration of the theme of the body and how to highlight it in a different way, it carries the combination of the male society’s view of dealing with the body and its boldness in expression and the transition from the body sensually to the body as text. The research attempted to answer a set of questions, the most important of which are:How were fictional works able to deal with the body and reveal female identity, and how were they able to cross from deep awareness of the female body to writing the body in text? This required dealing with the descriptive analytical approach, and the research ended with a set of results, perhaps the most important of which is: the boldness of fictional texts in expression. About the body, in a way that removed it from the cultural image that lived within the societal heritage, and not limiting it to being a symbol of shame or a tool of lust, but rather treating it as part of the feminine identity, which cannot be confined to frameworks or restrictions, by virtue of being female.

This editorial from the journal Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters emphasizes the importance of pleasure in discussions of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). The authors argue that pleasure has been overlooked, leading to shame and stigma around sex. They call for a more radical understanding of pleasure as a political lens and a methodological approach to interventions in the development sector. The authors also highlight the diversity of pleasure and the significance of touch in sexual knowledge. They advocate for a more inclusive view of sexual health that supports the autonomy and desires of marginalized communities, such as queer people, sex workers, and the polyamorous. The text suggests that embracing pleasure as a political and decolonial act can invigorate scholarship and activism in the field of sexuality, and calls for a shift in the discourse on sex to include lived experiences and diverse perspectives. [Extracted from the article]

The sexual incentive motivation model suggests that attractive stimuli activate the sexual response system. Attraction toward one’s partner has been linked to greater sexual satisfaction, but no quantitative studies have examined its links to sexual desire or distress among those with sexual dysfunction. We examined associations between daily attraction toward one’s partner and sexual satisfaction, desire, and distress for individuals with Sexual Interest/Arousal Disorder (SIAD) and their partners. Participants (N = 227 couples) completed daily online surveys measuring attraction for one’s partner, sexual desire, satisfaction, and distress. Multilevel models showed that on days when women and gender diverse individuals with SIAD reported higher attraction for their partner, they and their partners reported higher sexual satisfaction and desire, and their partners reported lower sexual distress. On days when partners reported higher attraction, both they and participants with SIAD reported higher sexual desire and partners reported lower sexual distress; however, women and gender diverse individuals with SIAD reported higher sexual distress. Daily fluctuations in attraction may be important for daily fluctuations in sexual wellbeing among couples coping with SIAD. Findings may inform novel treatment targets for SIAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to examine the relationship between relational factors and sexual desire and sexual distress. In order to achieve these goals, a sample of 788 married Turkish women was recruited through social media platforms between June and July 2022. The study employed three instruments to assess the relevant variables: the Sexual Satisfaction Scale for Women to measure sexual distress, the Female Sexual Function Index to assess sexual desire, and the Couple Burnout Measure Short Form to evaluate couple burnout. Structural equation modeling was utilized to analyze the data and test the proposed models. The initial model indicated a negative correlation between marriage length, parenthood, couple burnout, and sexual desire. The employment status of the participants was not found to be a significant factor. The second model revealed that marriage length, parenthood, and sexual desire were negatively correlated with sexual distress, whereas couple burnout was positively associated. In conclusion, our study highlights the intricate interplay between various factors and their impact on sexual desire and distress among married women. Specifically, marriage length, parenthood, and couple burnout were identified as significant determinants of sexual desire and distress. These findings underscore the importance of addressing relationship dynamics, parental responsibilities, and couple well-being in order to promote sexual well-being within committed relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the film "Fin de siglo" as an example of a new wave of queer cinema that focuses on the everyday lives of queer individuals. The film explores themes of time, missed connections, and queer futurity through its narrative structure and visual style. It embraces a new queer realism that prioritizes observational camerawork and a lack of dramatic tension. The article argues that this approach represents a recalibration of queer representation rather than a rejection of politics. The film offers a nuanced and intimate portrayal of queer lives and relationships, challenging traditional narratives of loss and isolation. It explores the complexities of queer identities and presents alternative visions of the future, emphasizing the potential for happiness and the importance of embracing possibilities. [Extracted from the article]

Dr. Sudhir Kakar, a renowned psychoanalyst and cultural thinker from India, made significant contributions to the understanding of unconscious processes in individual and collective life. His work went beyond studying the relationship between culture and the psyche to exploring the psyche within civilizational flows. Dr. Kakar emphasized empathy and compassion in psychoanalysis and aimed to bridge differences and create dialogical spaces between seemingly incompatible social binaries. His global recognition and translated books reflect the impact of his work. Dr. Kakar passed away in 2024 after battling cancer, leaving behind a profound intellectual legacy. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Female cancer survivors often experience estrogen-deprivation symptoms, which may lead to decreases in sexual desire, vulvovaginal health (lubrication, dryness, discomfort), and sexual satisfaction. Interventions are needed to address these concerns. Aim: The objective of this secondary analysis was to determine if women with higher (better) scores on the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) lubrication and pain subscales reported higher desire scores based on treatment with bupropion vs placebo. Methods: Participants were part of NRG Oncology's NRG-CC004 (NCT03180294), a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluating bupropion (150 vs 300 mg) to improve sexual desire in survivors of breast or gynecologic cancer. All participants with baseline data from the FSFI lubrication, pain, and desire subscales with 5- and/or 9-week data were analyzed. The FSFI subscale scores were correlated using Spearman correlation coefficients. Logistic regression was used to determine associations between FSFI desire and other FSFI subscales while accounting for treatment arm and other covariates. Outcomes: The primary outcome of NRG Oncology's NRG-CC004 (NCT03180294) randomized phase II dose-finding trial was change from baseline to 9 weeks on the FSFI desire subscale score. Similar to the parent study, the primary outcome for this ancillary data study was the FSFI desire subscale score at 5 and 9 weeks. Results: Overall, 230 participants completed the FSFI at baseline and 189 at 9 weeks. The strongest correlations were between lubrication and pain at baseline (all participants, rho = 0.77; bupropion arms, rho = 0.82), week 5 (all participants, rho = 0.71; bupropion arms, rho = 0.68), and week 9 (all participants, rho = 0.75; bupropion arms, rho = 0.78), and the weakest correlations were between desire and pain. In patients in the treatment arms there were no interactions between lubrication or pain. The impact of various covariates on the FSFI score for desire at 9 weeks demonstrated that participants of non-White race (odds ratio [OR], 0.42; 95% CI, 0.21-0.81; P = .010), with a high lubrication score (OR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.21-0.61; P = .0002), with a high pain score (less pain) (OR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.29-0.87; P = .014), or with prior pelvic surgery (OR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.23-0.63; P = .0002) had lower odds of having low desire. Clinical Implications: Acute estrogen-deprivation symptoms should be addressed prior to sexual desire intervention. Strengths and Limitations: This secondary analysis was not powered to examine all variables. Conclusion: Lubrication and pain were predictors of low desire. Therefore, vulvovaginal atrophy and associated genitourinary symptoms of menopause such as vaginal dryness and dyspareunia should be addressed prior to or in parallel with interventions for sexual desire. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexual compliance (i.e., consensually engaging in sex despite a lack of desire for it) is common in committed intimate relationships, but the consequences of compliance for the well-being of the individual and the relationship are poorly understood. We investigated the perceived consequences of sexual compliance and perceptions of factors contributing to negative/positive consequences by applying qualitative content analysis to free-text retrospective survey responses from 107 (mostly) Finnish adults. We identified five themes of personal consequences (emotions and mood, sexual experience, sexual desire, pressure and violations, and physical pain), four of relational consequences (relationship satisfaction, partner's response, relationship interaction, and value alignment), and nine of possible factors contributing to negative/positive consequences (communication, self-esteem, motives for sex, relationship factors, agency and self-knowledge, mental health and stress, psychological flexibility, societal norms, and past negative experiences). Perceived consequences varied widely across individuals, both in terms of whether any positive or negative consequences were experienced and whether compliance was perceived as improving or worsening specific domains of well-being. We discuss the themes identified in relation to previous theories of sexuality and intimate relationships and offer hypotheses that can be tested in future quantitative studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feminist considerations have influenced how women and men view sex, affecting not only women's perspectives but also men's feelings about sexual desire with regard to gender equity. This might be especially the case among men who self-identify as feminist. However, how men should manage their sexual desire or communicate about it within relationships with women is not always clear in this evolving social climate. Thus, the current study aimed to explore the successes and/or struggles feminist heterosexual men experience while navigating their desires alongside feminist considerations. To explore this, we recruited feminist-identified heterosexual men in long-term relationships. We asked participants (N = 30) a series of questions regarding their sexual desire, considering the context of their long-term relationships and evolving gender norms, during a one-on-one interview via Zoom. Using thematic analysis, we identified 11 themes from the interview data. We found that, though the feminist men in this study were all aware of negative societal perceptions of heterosexual men's sexual desire, most men in this study did not feel conflicts between their feminist principles and their own sexual desires. This is because they reported already following feminist principles; those who felt ambivalent navigated this by communicating with their partners. Findings demonstrate the usefulness and positive impact men report feminism having on them, their sexuality, and their long-term relationships, by allowing them to better engage with their sexuality and partners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines historical medical injustices against sexual and gender minority groups, focusing on the pathologization of homosexuality and gender nonconformity. It covers early medical references and stigmatizing diagnoses, as well as harmful treatments like conversion therapy and institutionalization. It sheds light on the lasting impact of these practices on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ)+ individuals.

This study examines the association between sexual desire and sexual satisfaction in sexual double standard typologies (i.e., egalitarian, man-favorable and woman-favorable) in the sexual freedom and sexual shyness areas. The sexual double standard (SDS), sexual desire (partner-focused dyadic, dyadic for an attractive person, and solitary) and sexual satisfaction were assessed in 444 men and 499 heterosexual women with a partner (M = 37.33; SD = 12.09). The results showed that dyadic sexual desire toward a partner was the main positive predictor of sexual satisfaction for men and women in all the SDS typologies, and in both the sexual freedom and sexual shyness areas. Solitary sexual desire was negatively associated with sexual satisfaction in men and women adhered to the woman-favorable SDS typology, and in men in the egalitarian typology in the sexual shyness area. Sexual desire for an attractive person showed no relation with sexual satisfaction. In conclusion, the importance of the SDS in relating sexual desire and sexual satisfaction in men and women is highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Symbiosexuality, the individual experience of attraction to people in relationships, has not been examined as a lived experience. Lack of recognition and examination of symbiosexuality is surprising when one considers studies of romantic and sexual desires and behaviors associated with more than two people. Also evident in the existence of the sexual identity label known as the unicorn and easily found in essays, memoirs, and dating apps, this attraction proves salient. Further, we find evidence of symbiosexuality outside Western discourses on desire and sexuality. Dominant conceptions and assumptions about sexuality and desire including mononormativity, respectability politics within polyamorous communities, and current conceptions of desire within western discourse contribute to symbiosexual invisibility. This invisibility harms several sexual minority groups, especially women and gender minorities within these groups. The purpose of this review is to describe and provide evidence of the phenomenon of symbiosexuality. Through a queer-feminist lens, I argue that recognition of symbiosexuality will fill a knowledge gap in the field of sexuality studies on the nature and shape of human sexual attractions and may be validating and/or empowering to those experiencing these types of attractions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) affects millions of women globally, impacting their quality of life and potentially influencing family planning decisions. This study aimed to assess the impact of uterus-preserving prolapse surgery on the sexual function, desire for children, and pregnancy outcomes in premenopausal women with symptomatic POP. (2) Methods: A survey study was conducted among patients who underwent sacrospinous hysteropexy at a tertiary hospital between 2001 and 2021. Telephone interviews were performed to gather data on sexual function, desire for children, and satisfaction with surgical outcomes. (3) Results: The study included 33 premenopausal women, revealing diverse factors influencing sexual activity and desire for children following surgery. While most of the participants expressed a desire for children after surgery, sexually inactive individuals were more likely to report an unfulfilled desire for children. Fear of incontinence during sexual activity emerged as a significant concern for the sexually inactive participants. (4) Conclusions: The study highlights the need for comprehensive counselling and tailored interventions to address the multifaceted needs of women with POP. Further research is warranted to highlight the long-term implications of uterus-preserving surgeries on women's health and well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parent couples often struggle to maintain satisfying sex lives perhaps because partners have different priorities to balance including the self, their relationship with each other, and their relationships with their children. Given that parents are increasingly involved in supporting adult children, it is important to examine how prioritization of other's needs over one's own shapes a couple's sexual relationship. In a sample of 179 parent couples with university student children living at home, we examined whether prioritizing one's partner's (i.e., partner‐centrism) and/or their child's (i.e., child‐centrism) needs above one's own were associated with couples' sexual relationship outcomes (sexual desire, satisfaction, and frequency). The results showed that higher partner‐centrism was positively associated with sexual satisfaction for both men and women. Having a partner who prioritized them and not their child was beneficial for men's sexual relationship. In contrast, it was important for highly child‐centric women that their partner was also child‐centric. The findings highlight the importance of examining the ways in which parents prioritize their own and other family members' needs when working with couples. It may be especially beneficial for men's outcomes when they feel prioritized and for women when they feel that their partner shares their goal to prioritize children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In pornography created for (and often by) heterosexual men, it is common for women performers to look directly at the camera. This simulates eye contact with viewers and is intended to create a participatory point of view. Little is known about the function of direct gaze in this context. In other domains, eye contact can increase physiological arousal, but also facilitate nurturant connection. Eye contact in porn may thus have a range of functions, which we explored in a preregistered study. Participants (N = 799) watched a brief sexually explicit video that had a high prevalence of eye contact (n = 399) or no eye contact (n = 400), then completed measures of eroticism, nurturance, guilt, other measures of affect and desire, participatory perspective, and whom they experienced sexual desire for. We found no significant differences in eroticism, nurturance, guilt, or other affect or desire measures across conditions, but found some evidence that eye contact may facilitate a participatory (vs. observational) perspective and desire for the performer in the film (e.g. vs. someone else), .05 < ps < .10. Overall, our findings provide preliminary insight into the function of eye contact in pornography and provide promising avenues for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article considers the relationship between dogs as fictional constructs and the shifting dynamics of the novel form in the mid-nineteenth century in order to account more fully for their particular importance to realist writing. In revisiting three canonical novels associated with the realist tradition, Charles Dickens's Dombey and Son (1848), Charlotte Brontë's Villette (1853), and George Eliot's Adam Bede (1859), it demonstrates the ways in which writers regularly rely on dogs in depicting moments of deep personal and interpersonal conflict. Where most previous analyses of animals in Victorian fiction have tended to treat them as minor characters within their respective human narratives, this article is attuned to the affective functions of the domestic dog in contexts that exceed mere verisimilitude, exploring the significance of the connection between the dog's textual body and the intense experience of grief, sexual desire, and anger respectively. I argue that the dog's simultaneously narrative and extra-narrative position in the emergent realist novel reflects the genre's larger formal tensions, generated by the representation of excess affects. These tensions are closely linked to the novel's primary mode of representation: language. I conclude that it is the dog's extralinguistic presence, predicated on its inability to encode affect in language, that marks it as the ideal, if increasingly unstable, nexus of powerful, unprocessed emotion in the mid-nineteenth-century novel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This article addresses the complex dynamics of sexual consent among female Spanish university student. The research is based on two independent studies, each employing a distinct methodology: study 1 (n = 308) employs a quantitative approach to analyze the relationship between the endorsement of heterosexual scripts, individual variables (sexual satisfaction, sexual assertiveness, and sexual communication styles), and intimate partner sexual violence (IPSV) and the reasons for consenting to unwanted sex; study 2 utilized qualitative methods to explore personal narratives and deepen the understanding of consent as experienced and articulated by 8 women. Objectives: Study1 aimed at quantitatively assessing how the endorsement of heterosexual scripts, individual variables, and previous IPSV experiences impact the reasons for consenting to unwanted sex. Study 2 sought to compliment Study 1's findings and qualitatively investigate the personal and societal narratives that shape the understanding and communication of sexual consent. Results: In Study 1, the findings reveal that endorsements of traditional sexual scripts and histories of IPSV are associated with a higher likelihood of consenting to unwanted sex, while greater sexual satisfaction and assertiveness correlate with reduced consent to unwanted sex. Study 2 provides a thematic exploration of sexual consent, identifying key themes in how consent is negotiated, perceived, and misunderstood within interpersonal and cultural contexts. Conclusions: The combined results of these studies illustrate the nuanced interplay between individual agency, cultural expectations, and past experiences in shaping sexual consent. Underscoring the importance of challenging traditional sexual scripts and enhancing assertiveness, this research contributes to ongoing efforts to foster a consent culture that respects individual boundaries and desires in sexual relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is growing interest in identifying factors that promote sexual well-being in romantic relationships. One such factor is intimacy—a process involving self-disclosure and empathic response that is positively associated with sexuality outcomes. However, most work among community couples examined cross-sectional associations in mixed-sex/gender couples using a single sexual outcome, which may not capture daily variations in intimacy and different dimensions of sexual well-being among a diversity of unions over time. Additionally, potential mediating mechanisms of the intimacy-sexual well-being association, such as attention to positive sexual cues (i.e., sexual thoughts and feelings), have been neglected. Adopting daily diary and longitudinal designs, the present study examined whether greater intimacy was associated with higher levels of positive sexual cues and, in turn, higher sexual well-being (sexual desire, satisfaction and distress). A convenience sample of 211 couples (Mage = 30.2 years; SD = 8.3; 75 sexually diverse couples) completed a survey on days of sexual activity with their partner, over a 35-day period and 12 months later. Daily results showed that intimacy was related to greater attention to positive sexual cues for both partners, which in turn was associated with their greater sexual desire and satisfaction and lower sexual distress. Longitudinal results showed that a person's greater daily intimacy was linked to their own greater sexual desire and satisfaction 12 months later via their own higher positive sexual cues, but not to their partner's cues or well-being. Findings extend interpersonal models of sexual well-being and support the role of intimacy and positive sexual cues therein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Desire discrepancies are a common source of relationship conflict and one reason adults may seek couples counseling. Within romantic relationships, adults individually experience sexual and affectionate desire, but also experience desire relative to their partner. If desire discrepancies exist, partners may attempt to resolve these discrepancies. Thus, we examined adults' strategies for managing sexual and affectionate desire discrepancies. Our sample consisted of 300 adults (45% women; Mage = 29.5; 86.3% LGBTQ+) who were in a romantic relationship and reported a desire discrepancy. Thematic analysis revealed five strategies for managing desire discrepancies: alternative behaviors, communication, doing nothing, engaging in behaviors anyway, and giving control to a specific partner. Adults reported similar strategies for resolving sexual and affectionate desire discrepancies. Perceived effectiveness and strategies varied by whether adults thought that their discrepancies were problematic. Our findings hold implications for clinicians approaching problematic desire discrepancies, and suggest strategies that may promote effective resolutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With growing interest in developing digital health tools for treating sexual dysfunction, this pilot study aimed to determine feasibility and gather preliminary efficacy data of a self-led online mindfulness intervention in comparison to an online psychoeducational intervention for women's low sexual desire in a community sample (N = 57). After a four-week intervention, participants showed overall improvements on sexual functioning, orgasm, sexual self-pleasure, sexual self-image, and sexual distress, in both treatment arms. Majority completed assigned homework and felt the intervention enhanced their sexual well-being. This study supports the feasibility of a self-led online mindfulness intervention that could help inform future programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a performance analysis of One Woman Show by Liz Kingsman, based on a viewing of the show's 2023 run in New York at the Greenwich House Theater. Written and performed by Kingsman, One Woman Show parodies the titular genre, satirizing the hypocrisies and paradoxes that women performing solo comedic material must navigate. In doing so, it offers a rich case study to examine in concert with scholarship on women and comedy, which often focuses on the binaries that circumscribe women's ability to function as joke-tellers in a patriarchal society. Whereas theorists such as Kathleen Rowe Karlyn uphold approaches to humor based in the materiality of the comic body, Kingsman's show critiques the overexposure of the explicit, "unruly" body in women's comedy. The show questions a performer's ability to tell an authentic story in such a highly constructed genre and highlights the readiness with which women's expressions of sexual desire turn back around into exploitation and objectification. Kingsman's performance, however, constantly finds ways to distance and displace any true scrutiny of her person onto another surface, layering multiple narrative frameworks, timelines, and personas across her single body. I argue that the many-layered frameworks of One Woman Show function as a form of comic embodiment that displaces materiality in favor of theatricality. With this "embodied meta comedy," Kingsman offers a strategy of representation that is self-aware without resorting to self-deprecation, using the body as a tool without it reading as an object. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In today’s interdisciplinary studies, assessing the relationship between literature and other sciences is highly beneficial in literary criticism. The psychoanalytic criticism is one of the pioneers of this phenomenon. This approach in the contemporary era has entered a new phase with the formation of new psychoanalytic cores in terms of psychoanalytic theories of love initiated by Robert Sternberg, who defines his analysis system based on the type of action of individuals in romantic relationships. He has developed efficient model in identifying the form of love in each person in this context. The objective here is to adopt a descriptive-analytical method to assess the love poem Khosrow va Shirin and Leili va Majnoon by Nezami Ganjavi with a comparative approach from Sternberg’s view and explain why the titles Eshq Nameh (love) and Havas Nameh (lust) are applied to the narration of Leili va Majnoon and Khosrow va Shirin. The results indicate that from Sternberg's point of view, perfect and holy love is a threefold relationship of commitment at the highest level and intimacy and passion at the lowest levels. In a narrative based on the failure of love in the direction of "ideal and perfect love" and its victorious hero is involved in "sad and romantic love", the type of relationship is based on lust the Havas Nameh and if the type of mutual love is of the "ideal love" type orientation, due to the priority of the commitment component, love is formed in its true meaning, the Eshq Nameh. The results here indicate that the element of commitment in Ganjavi’s self-consciousness has an operational structure and function in lovebased relationships in terms of Robert Sternberg’s theory and cognitive psychoanalysis in the contemporary period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the poetic achievements of R.K. Singh, focusing on his mastery of haiku as analyzed through Longinus's theory of sublimity. Topics include the grandeur of thought in Singh's haiku, the use of sensuous and spiritual themes, and the balance of poetic technique and emotional depth.

This article provides an example of how middle-aged women rediscover and express emotions in digital media, mainly sexual desire but also the joy they feel among like-minded women of the same age. The ethnographic case is a community of European and North American women aged around 40 to 60 years who sexually desire 20-year-old TikTok celebrity William White. White went viral when he began lip-syncing to 1980s hits, particularly Barry Manilow's "Mandy" while performing his flirtatious signature moves: the smile, the wink, and the eye roll. This study is based on 6 months of daily lurking in a digital community the women call Whiteyynation, structured around White's accounts on various digital platforms. In trying to understand the meaning and function of a young male TikTok'er in the lives of middle-aged women, with Sara Ahmed's theory of emotions, I describe how happy objects align individuals in a social community toward happiness. Specifically, I analyze how White, through a playful capitalization of 1980s music combined with a certain flirtatious look, functions as a happy object that is multiplied, magnified, and circulated in Whiteyynation. I explore the circumstances and conditions surrounding Whiteyynation as an affective space and affective economy, such as the production and distribution of self-produced content, gifting as a strategy for increased reciprocity, and the various currencies at play. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]