The Right to Sex

Synopsis

Signed by the author


Essential lessons on the world we live in, from one of our greatest young thinkers – a guide to what everybody is talking about today

'Unparalleled and extraordinary . . . A bracing revivification of a crucial lineage in feminist writing' JIA TOLENTINO

'I believe Amia Srinivasan's work will change the world' KATHERINE RUNDELL

'Rigorously researched, but written with such spark and verve. The best non-fiction book I have read this year' PANDORA SYKES

How should we talk about sex? It is a thing we have and also a thing we do; a supposedly private act laden with public meaning; a personal preference shaped by outside forces; a place where pleasure and ethics can pull wildly apart.

Since #MeToo many have fixed on consent as the key framework for achieving sexual justice. Yet consent is a blunt tool. To grasp sex in all its complexity – its deep ambivalences, its relationship to gender, class, race and power – we need to move beyond 'yes and no', wanted and unwanted.

We need to interrogate the fraught relationships between discrimination and preference, pornography and freedom, rape and racial injustice, punishment and accountability, pleasure and power, capitalism and liberation. We need to rethink sex as a political phenomenon.

Searching, trenchant and extraordinarily original, The Right to Sex is a landmark examination of the politics and ethics of sex in this world, animated by the hope of a different one.

Summary

Chapter 1: Introduction
In the first chapter of “The Right to Sex”, author Amia Srinivasan sets the stage for the rest of the book by highlighting the importance of the topic of sexual desire and consent in modern society. She argues that our understanding of sex and its inherent power dynamics is constantly evolving and that this warrants a deeper discussion and exploration. To illustrate this point, she presents the example of the #MeToo movement and how it exposed the systemic inequality and abuse of power in sexual relationships. This chapter also serves as an overview of the main themes and questions that will be explored in the rest of the book.

Chapter 2: The Trouble with Consent
The second chapter delves into the complex nature of consent and how it intersects with power, desire, and agency. Srinivasan uses the example of a heterosexual couple where the woman consents to sex but does so without genuine desire. This scenario raises questions about the role of power dynamics and the pressure to conform to societal expectations of sex. The chapter also highlights the problematic notion of “enthusiastic consent” and the related issue of sexual agency being denied to certain individuals due to their marginalized identities.

Chapter 3: Painful Sex
Moving on to the topic of painful sex, the third chapter explores the notion of “bad sex” and how it is often seen as a side effect of sexual liberation and empowerment. Srinivasan challenges the narrative that pain must be endured for the sake of pleasure and raises important questions about who gets to define what is considered “good” or “bad” sex. To illustrate her point, she uses the example of BDSM and how power dynamics can blur the lines of consent and pleasure.

Chapter 4: Sex Work
The fourth chapter delves into the controversial topic of sex work and the dualistic view that it is either empowering or inherently exploitative. Srinivasan argues that this binary viewpoint fails to consider the complexities and individual experiences of sex workers. To illustrate this, she presents the example of a sex worker who enjoys her job and does not feel exploited, challenging the common perception that all sex work is inherently damaging to individuals.

Chapter 5: Sexual Debut
The fifth chapter explores the concept of sexual debut and its significance in society. Using various examples, Srinivasan argues that the importance given to a person’s first sexual experience perpetuates the idea that sex is a pivotal moment in one’s life that must be “done right”. This chapter also raises questions about the pressure to conform to societal expectations of sexual experiences and the various forms of harm that can arise from this.

Chapter 6: Procreative Sex
The sixth chapter delves into the topic of procreative sex and how it is often seen as the “right” type of sex in many cultural and religious contexts. Srinivasan challenges this notion and explores the intersections of gender, sexuality, and reproductive rights. She uses the example of reproductive technologies and how they can further complicate the already complex issues surrounding procreative sex.

Chapter 7: Conclusion
In the final chapter, Srinivasan brings together the key themes explored throughout the book and offers her perspective on the issue of the right to sex. She emphasizes the need for a more nuanced and intersectional approach to understanding and discussing sexual desire and consent. The conclusion highlights the importance of ongoing conversations and critical thinking when it comes to issues of sex and power in modern society.

In conclusion, “The Right to Sex” challenges society’s long-held beliefs and norms surrounding sexual desire and consent. The real-life examples presented throughout the book serve as powerful illustrations of the complexities and nuances of this topic. Srinivasan’s exploration of power dynamics, agency, and societal expectations sheds light on the need for a more inclusive and intersectional approach to understanding and navigating sexual relationships. This book serves as a thought-provoking and timely examination of a crucial aspect of human experience and serves as a call to action for a more open and critical discourse on the right to sex.