Spooning, a common body practice and form of affection consisting of two people, usually a couple or lovers, laying together where one partner, usually a male (as shown above) faces the back of the other partner, usually female. The act, much like a variation on hugging and cuddling, is usually done in bed before sleeping or after sex, as a sign of intimacy, especially with each others' bodies. There are two positions in the act of spooning: the dominant, or outer, position (usually male) and submissive, or inner, position (usually female). The act itself clearly defines gender roles in bed and in sexual situations, as the man will lead and dominate the female from this position during intimate moments, while the woman is in a vulnerable position, with her back to the male. Domination in bed creates an image for the male as a sex-hungry physical force, that is always there, at least physically or bodily ready, to be ready for sexual relations. Yet, the female is asked, or in some way tempted, for sex and, unless in a situation of rape, is thus in a position to decide whether or not sexual relations should occur. The inner position is also a position to tempt and/or tease your partner, as the female body is on display for the dominant male to view or pleasure. The self-image for men is that they are in control, yet the female, who has the self-image that they must be beautiful or attract and pleasure their partner, actually has more control then she realizes, much like Bordo's thesis on the roles of women related to the media and eating disorders (women have eating disorders to control over their bodies, but they might not be doing it for themselves). Because of this power and agency are physically constituted to the male, whose physical power cups the female form into his. Spooning also affects our gender identities as well, because the ramifications of male physical domination in bed (may, or may have led) lead to societal and cultural pressures on both men and women, affecting how people "think" about their own personal role in bed and in the home, even elsewhere.
Eric R. Best
Just wanted to make a quick comment on your post-
ReplyDeleteThis is a practice I would have never thought of and I found it very interesting and think you did a good job!
I agree with Alexa, this was a practice I totally wouldn't have thought of! Very interesting! I agree with your argument, and would like to add that the male's position may also represent the gender-expectation to protect the woman (from loneliness or cold maybe?) as it is seen by his position of surrounding the female, almost as someone would protect a smaller person/being from falling rubble by embracing them.
ReplyDeleteyour description of the woman having more control than she realizes is a good analytical observation. You incorporated Bordo's claim well into this blog post where for instance a anorexic girl becomes powerful because of what she is doing for the body. i have been brought up to believe that man=big spoon woman=little spoon. it would feel unnatural if it was the other way around. Great post!
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