I had a thought the other day...

[gezellig-girl.livejournal.com]

Actually, it was last Sunday, when I saw her on CBS's Sunday Morning.

My thought was this: I assume that we're all sort of close to the same age here, say late teens to early 30s or so, and I was wondering... would we be able to so freely discuss our vaginas and our sexuality as a whole if we had grown up without Dr. Ruth Westheimer as a public figure, saying words like "masturbating," "vaginas," and "orgasms" on the afternoon talk shows we and/or our moms watched?

I mean, sure - we all probably giggled at the time, but think about it... even if our own moms weren't telling us this stuff, here was this little old lady with the funny accent telling us sex should be enjoyable, and masturbating is pretty great. Even if we laughed (I know I did), I have to wonder, how much of what she said stuck with us? How did what she said influence how we feel now?

Therefore, I would like to nominate Dr. Ruth as one of the High Priestesses of the Vagina-Bearing Superstars, along with Eve Ensler and whoever it is that put the pair of warm socks over the cold metal stirrups on my gyno's exam table.

Comments

[mrshellion.livejournal.com]

I second all those nominations, and also would like to add the inventor of the plastic speculum.

I agree with your feelings on Dr. Ruth, even though I was one of the luckier girls to have been openly educated by both of my parents in the ways of being comfortable with my sexuality.

[gezellig-girl.livejournal.com]

Plastic speculum inventor... that's a good one. I remember those old, chilled metal ones. Brrr.

[arachne.livejournal.com]

My doc still uses them.
*shudder*

[bonniebon.livejournal.com]

All doctors I've seen use metal ones still, probably because the tight government budget doesn't allow for nice plastic ones! I bet if I went to a private doctor there'd be plastic speculums, relaxing music and a cup of tea afterwards hehe
oh well, if I end up with a good salary I might just do that.

[goodjoan]

My Dr has metal ones, but the tables in the office have a heated drawer down on his end so they are always good and warm! He's a nice guy, he even has a little warmer for the ultrasound goo! Unfortunately, no coffee or soft music and the paper gowns are still paper gowns but at least they do offer a twin sized, fabric sheet to cover yourself with while your waiting

I adore my OB/Gyn, after 4 kids we are pretty well aquainted. Honestly, for all the times I've had pelvic exams, prenatal visits, cervical checks, etc the worst part of a Gyn exam for me is the finger stick to check your iron! Youch!

[almond-tiger.livejournal.com]

I didn't watch any dr. ruth when I was younger, but I would like to add sue johanson, host of the sunday night sex show. I'm not sure if it's shown in the states, but it's a great show. She answers questions and gives info, as well as bringing something out of her "treasure chest" every episode: vibrators, dildos, any of a hundred other toys.

[prettykate.livejournal.com]

That show is going to be on Oxygen soon! You can go to http://www.oxygen.com for more information. They have a pull down menu with all the shows.

[shellyday.livejournal.com]

wow! i've never heard of DR Ruth before. she sounds awesome! i must be a bit young for the seeing dr ruth on tv generation.

[hercellardoor.livejournal.com]

Hear! Hear! Dr. Ruth rocks!