Episode 490: Why People Say Yes To Sex They Don’t Want
About this episode
This episode explores the distinction between wanting sex and consenting to sex, featuring insights from Dr. Kirsten Greer on the topic.
Wanting sex and consenting to sex aren’t the same thing. Sometimes we agree to sex we don’t want, and other times we turn down opportunities for sex we do want. Today, we’re going to explore the distinction between wantedness and consent, including common reasons people agree to sex that they don’t actually desire. My guest is Dr. Kirsten Greer, a postdoctoral research fellow at the Kinsey Institute with the disability and sexual health initiative. Her research focuses on sexual consent, sexual violence, and sexuality and disability. Some of the specific topics we explore in this episode include: What is the difference between wanting sex and consenting to sex? Why do people sometimes turn down sex they genuinely desire? What happens when there’s a mismatch between wantedness and consent? How do people feel about that? What does healthy sexual agency look like in practice? You can learn more about Kirsten’s work and check out her publications here. Got a sex question? Send me a podcast voicemail to have it answered on a future episode at speakpipe.com/sexandpsychology. *** Thank you to our sponsors! If you’re ready to ditch the shady stuff and choose…
People in this episode
Host: Dr. Justin Lehmiller
Guest: Dr. Kirsten Greer
Topics covered
- sexual consent
- wantedness vs consent
- sexual agency
- sexual health
- sexuality and disability
Sponsors
Drive Boost
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Kinsey Institute, Sexual Health Alliance
More episodes of Sex and Psychology Podcast
- Episode 496: How Breasts Became Erotic – The Surprising History
- Episode 495: Why Even Happy Couples Fight (And How To Do It Right)
- Episode 494: The Six Essential Ingredients For Lasting Love
- Episode 493: Straight Men Who Have Sex With Other Men
- Episode 492: Why So Many People Fantasize About Sharing Their Partner
- Episode 491: Sex, Disability, And Barriers To Care
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