Tomorrow Sex Will Be Good Again

What's "Tomorrow Sex Will Be Good Again" about?

• Exploration of Desire: The book examines women's sexual desire in the context of modern consent culture, questioning how societal norms shape and sometimes inhibit women's sexual experiences.
• Consent and Power Dynamics: It delves into the complexities of consent, highlighting the challenges women face in expressing desire and navigating power imbalances in sexual relationships.
• Cultural Critique: Katherine Angel critiques the societal expectations placed on women to know and articulate their desires clearly, arguing that this can be both empowering and burdensome.
• Historical and Contemporary Analysis: The book provides a historical perspective on how female sexuality has been understood and controlled, linking past and present attitudes towards women's sexual autonomy.

Why should I read "Tomorrow Sex Will Be Good Again"?

• Insightful Analysis: The book offers a deep dive into the nuances of consent and desire, providing a fresh perspective on these often-discussed topics.
• Feminist Perspective: It challenges traditional feminist narratives by questioning the emphasis on self-knowledge and vocal expression of desire as the sole paths to sexual liberation.
• Cultural Relevance: In the wake of movements like #MeToo, the book's exploration of consent culture is timely and relevant, offering critical insights into ongoing societal debates.
• Thought-Provoking Questions: Katherine Angel encourages readers to reconsider their assumptions about sexuality, power, and autonomy, making it a compelling read for those interested in gender studies and sexual politics.

What are the key takeaways of "Tomorrow Sex Will Be Good Again"?

• Complexity of Consent: Consent is not a simple yes or no; it involves ongoing negotiation and is deeply influenced by power dynamics and societal expectations.
• Desire is Contextual: Women's sexual desire is often responsive rather than spontaneous, shaped by relational and environmental factors rather than being an inherent drive.
• Vulnerability and Power: Embracing vulnerability in sexual relationships can lead to more fulfilling experiences, challenging the notion that invulnerability is the path to empowerment.
• Critique of Confidence Culture: The book critiques the pressure on women to be confident and assertive in their desires, arguing that this can overlook the complexities of sexual interactions.

How does Katherine Angel define consent culture in "Tomorrow Sex Will Be Good Again"?

• Consent as a Baseline: Consent culture emphasizes the importance of clear, affirmative consent as a foundation for ethical sexual interactions.
• Speech and Self-Knowledge: It places a heavy burden on women to articulate their desires clearly, often equating vocal expression with empowerment.
• Limitations of Consent: Angel argues that consent culture can oversimplify the complexities of sexual desire and interaction, failing to account for the nuances of power and vulnerability.
• Cultural Critique: The book critiques how consent culture can inadvertently reinforce traditional gender roles by focusing on women's behavior rather than addressing systemic issues.

What does Katherine Angel say about women's sexual desire in "Tomorrow Sex Will Be Good Again"?

• Responsive Desire: Angel highlights that women's desire is often responsive, emerging in the right context rather than being a constant, spontaneous drive.
• Cultural Influences: She argues that societal expectations and cultural narratives heavily influence how women experience and express their sexual desires.
• Desire and Power: The book explores how power dynamics in relationships can impact women's ability to pursue and enjoy their desires freely.
• Complexity and Ambivalence: Angel acknowledges the ambivalence many women feel about their desires, shaped by both internal and external pressures.

What are the best quotes from "Tomorrow Sex Will Be Good Again" and what do they mean?

• "Consent, as Fischel puts it, gives ‘moral magic to sex’": This quote critiques the idea that consent alone can resolve all issues in sexual interactions, highlighting the need for a more nuanced understanding.
• "We must not think that by saying yes to sex one says no to power": This reflects Foucault's skepticism about equating sexual liberation with mere vocal affirmation, urging a deeper examination of power dynamics.
• "Women know that their sexual desire can remove protection from them": This quote underscores the societal double standards that punish women for expressing sexual desire, linking it to vulnerability and risk.
• "The fantasy of total autonomy, and of total self-knowledge, is not only a fantasy; it’s a nightmare": Angel challenges the pressure on women to fully know and articulate their desires, advocating for acceptance of uncertainty and vulnerability.

How does "Tomorrow Sex Will Be Good Again" address the #MeToo movement?

• Cultural Context: The book situates its discussion of consent and desire within the broader cultural shifts prompted by the #MeToo movement.
• Speech and Silence: Angel critiques the expectation for women to publicly share their experiences as a form of empowerment, questioning who benefits from this narrative.
• Selective Listening: The book highlights how certain voices, particularly those of marginalized women, were prioritized or ignored during the movement.
• Beyond Consent: Angel argues that while #MeToo has brought attention to issues of consent, it also risks oversimplifying the complexities of sexual violence and desire.

What does Katherine Angel mean by "vulnerability" in "Tomorrow Sex Will Be Good Again"?

• Embracing Vulnerability: Angel suggests that acknowledging and embracing vulnerability can lead to more authentic and fulfilling sexual experiences.
• Power and Control: She challenges the notion that invulnerability equates to empowerment, arguing that true strength lies in accepting one's susceptibility to harm.
• Relational Dynamics: Vulnerability is seen as a crucial component of intimacy and connection, allowing for genuine exploration and negotiation in relationships.
• Cultural Resistance: The book critiques cultural narratives that stigmatize vulnerability, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of its role in sexual and personal interactions.

How does "Tomorrow Sex Will Be Good Again" critique traditional feminist narratives?

• Beyond Self-Knowledge: Angel questions the emphasis on self-knowledge and vocal expression of desire as the primary paths to sexual liberation.
• Complexity of Desire: The book argues that traditional feminist narratives often overlook the complexities and ambivalence inherent in women's sexual desires.
• Critique of Empowerment: Angel critiques the pressure on women to be confident and assertive, suggesting that this can ignore the relational and contextual nature of desire.
• Intersectional Considerations: The book highlights how traditional feminist narratives can fail to account for the diverse experiences and challenges faced by women of different backgrounds.

What role does historical context play in "Tomorrow Sex Will Be Good Again"?

• Evolution of Sexual Norms: Angel provides a historical perspective on how societal attitudes towards female sexuality have evolved, influencing contemporary understandings of desire and consent.
• Legacy of Sexology: The book examines the impact of past sexological research on current narratives about women's sexual behavior and autonomy.
• Cultural Shifts: Angel situates her analysis within broader cultural shifts, such as the sexual liberation movements and the rise of post-feminism.
• Continuity and Change: The book explores the continuities and changes in how women's sexuality has been understood and controlled over time.

How does "Tomorrow Sex Will Be Good Again" address the concept of "bad sex"?

• Beyond Consent: Angel argues that consent alone cannot address the complexities of "bad sex," which can be unpleasant, humiliating, or one-sided without being assault.
• Cultural Narratives: The book critiques cultural narratives that romanticize "bad sex" as a rite of passage or learning experience, highlighting the unequal burdens placed on women.
• Power Dynamics: Angel emphasizes the role of power dynamics in shaping experiences of "bad sex," urging a more nuanced understanding of its causes and consequences.
• Political Issue: The book frames "bad sex" as a political issue, linked to broader inequalities in access to pleasure and self-determination.

What is Katherine Angel's stance on the relationship between desire and power in "Tomorrow Sex Will Be Good Again"?

• Interconnected Dynamics: Angel explores how desire and power are deeply interconnected, influencing how individuals experience and express their sexual desires.
• Impact of Power Imbalances: The book highlights how power imbalances in relationships can shape and sometimes inhibit women's ability to pursue and enjoy their desires.
• Beyond Empowerment: Angel critiques the notion that empowerment lies solely in vocal expression of desire, advocating for a more nuanced understanding of power dynamics.
• Relational Context: The book emphasizes the importance of considering relational and contextual factors in understanding the interplay between desire and power.