Her Husband Called Her Frigid In 1973. See Her Response & His To Counseling

Make sure you watch until 12 minutes where her husband comes in. This film was produced in 1973 by a major American University Medical Department with a grant from a major pharmaceutical company. Looked at from today, I consider it fairly contemporary in terms of how the psychologist treats the two patients. Make sure you watch through to where he brings the husband in and gets his point of view. Fascinating. In the 1970s, the term “frigid wife“ was used in a derogatory manner to refer to a woman who was perceived as lacking sexual desire or being unresponsive to her husband’s sexual advances. This concept is very much a product of its time. Psychological theories back then suggested reasons for what was perceived as ’frigidity’. For some, it was thought to be related to unresolved issues from childhood, past sexual traumas, or negative attitudes towards sex instilled by religious or cultural beliefs. For others, it was believed to be a symptom of dissatisfaction within the marriage, such as emotional distance or resentment. Medical education about sexuality and sexual issues during the 1970s was different from today’s approaches. The focus was more on the biological and physiological aspects of sexuality, such as reproductive health, sexually transmitted diseases, and the basic mechanics of sexual function. There was less emphasis on psychological, emotional, or social aspects of sexuality, and issues such as consent, sexual orientation, and gender identity were typically not covered in depth, if at all. During this period, the primary responsibility of doctors regarding sexual health was often limited to treating specific medical conditions like sexually transmitted infections and fertility problems. They might also give advice on contraception and, where it was legally and ethically acceptable, perform abortions. However, addressing sexual dysfunction, counseling patients on sexual matters, or discussing sexuality in any depth was not typically seen as part of a doctor’s role, unless the doctor was a psychiatrist or some other kind of specialist. In terms of what wasn’t a doctor’s responsibility, many topics we consider important today were often overlooked or ignored. For example, discussing sexual satisfaction, addressing issues related to health and well-being, discussing sexual assault and consent, and even providing comprehensive sex education were generally not seen as the purview of doctors, except perhaps in very specific cases or contexts. By today’s standards, the term Frigid is considered outdated and offensive as it places the blame solely on the woman while ignoring the complex psychological, interpersonal and societal factors that can influence sexual desire and satisfaction. Instead psychologists now refer to conditions like Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD), a condition marked by a lack of sexual desire, which can affect people of either gender. Contemporary approaches towards this issue emphasize mutual understanding, communication, and consent within a relationship. They also consider various potential causes including physical health issues, mental health issues and the quality of the involves psychotherapy, relationship and sexual counseling, addressing underlying health issues and sometimes medication. While there is still plenty of room for improvement, there is a greater recognition of the importance of sexual health to overall well-being.