The scientific research poster
Sexual fantasies are a central aspect of human sexual behaviour.
Understanding how they work and evolve, in relation to gender and age, can help individuals and couples boost desire, manage anxiety and resolve traumatic experiences
“Yet, unbridled erotic imagination still remains quite a taboo and a largely unexplored mind field, especially if it challenges the ‘romantic’ idea of women.” says Tania Bianchi, sexologist, international communication expert, Member of The British Psychological Society.
But, according to her research, female sexual fantasies have more in common with men’s than we care to think about and they have changed in time.
Her study, presented at the 23rd Congress of the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS) in Prague (28-31 May 2017) and in The WAS Abstract Book published by The Journal of Sexual Medicine, reveals rather controversial discoveries.
Most women are showing an increasingly unrestricted and varied approach to their sexual desires, free of guilt. A fundamental, revolutionary point: most women enjoy talking about their fantasies. They are bold, at ease and happy to do it.
For this research, more than 200 women and men in Italy (aged between 19 and 72) were asked to freely talk or write about what they secretly fantasize.
The data were collected in public places, at events or telematically, through semi-structured interviews, open-ended questionnaires, telephone calls and focus groups.
The study is at a developmental stage and the population sample is, so far, nationally-exclusive. Nevertheless, it is representative of a wide range of professions, social class and education, exposing a new evolving panorama: while some male and female fantasy stereotypes of the past still seem to hold true today, a cross-gender picture is arising.
Themes of role reversal, dominance and submission are present in both sexes.
Fantasies of a gang bang or sex with a stranger were mentioned by both genders. However, women reported the powerful feeling of being at the centre of attention, highly desired and irresistible (“men losing their heads for them”), while for the males it was more a matter of physical potency, sex supremacy, command, dominance and control.
Blame or bless the media?
This study uncovered that sexual fantasies are adopting images and ideas from the culture and models portrayed in the media.
The wide spread of popular radio and TV talk-shows with sexologists, sociologists, psychologists and criminologists has greatly influenced public opinion; the permissive and promiscuous sexual life styles of VIPs in show business, sports and politics, openly reported in the media (papers and magazines as well), has had the effect of glamourizing them.
Greater openness about sex is therefore modifying the perception of what was once considered unusual or even “deviant” sex-scripts and, up to now, mostly hidden, denied or repressed.
THE RESEARCH AUTHOR:
Tania Bianchi is a certified sexuality counsellor, international trainer in communication, expert in sex education, Member (MBPsS) of The British Psychological Society (BPS) and on the Chartered Professional Register of the Italian Federation of Scientific Sexology (FISS).
She is often interviewed as an expert at international radio and TV programmes and a speaker at scientific congresses and conventions.
Official Webpage: www.taniabianchi.com/sexologist.html
Tania Bianchi, research author, Member of The British Psychological Society
CONTACT:
For further material, interviews with the author
and information on the concept of “Fantasy Training”
Please write to: info@taniabianchi.com
