Files Sex Talk Stimulating

By Alston Ramsay | Monday, January 21, 2002

'Why does anal sex feel so good?' What looked like a tangle of spaghetti projected on the screen at the front of the auditorium. 'Look at all the nerves!' said Dr. Barbara Files to a crowd of thirty. This justification apparently stood on its own.

On January 8th, the Women's Resource Center, in conjunction with Health Resources, presented its second lecture in the three part series entitled, 'Let's Talk About Sex.' Today's subject was the mechanics of female pleasure, a favorite topic of the speaker, a midwife and OBGYN at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. For those who may have wondered about Files's credentials: '[I have] been a sexual being for almost half a century... I have personal experience.'

She opened her speech with a black and white overhead projection of a nude female gazing intently at a mirror positioned between her legs. Files never explained the significance or purpose of this vagina-centered projection, but instead described the different spheres of a woman's sexuality: religion, politics, art, evolution, physiology, and anthropology. Dr. Files's speech centered entirely around what she considered the 'most fascinating and compelling perspective of all—'How To.'' While she claimed that she could not fully explain any of the other aspects of sexuality in two hours, this topic could not be 'cover[ed] in 12 hours.' It was going to be a long night.

She immediately explained some of her views on sex and her purpose for being at Dartmouth. It is 'fun to come here and talk about pleasure.' Most of her talks deal with responsibility or sexually transmitted diseases at other venues.

For college-age students, 'society views it appropriate to be sexual beings.' She also has hopes for her own children. 'I hope that sex is a huge part of [my kids's] lives.' Towards the end of her talk, she added to her philosophy, telling the audience that 'sex is an everyday event' and is 'like the life-force.'

Files boasted that she had 'overheads of every piece of the female anatomy you might ever want to see.' Instead though, she preferred to examine some of the questions that had been asked on note cards at her talk last year. These she had grouped into various categories, such as 'Am I normal?,' 'G-Spot,' 'Female Orgasms,' 'Piercings,' and 'Why Are Men Such Pigs?' She emphasized that the final group of questions was 'very interesting.'

Self-expression was the first 'substantive' issue she discussed. 'Self-expression is a powerful and wonderful form of sexual expression,' and, for women, the 'key to the kingdom,' she said. But by this she made clear that she did not mean only masturbation, but also being a 'sexual person.' Dr. Files lamented that the college atmosphere was not conducive to masturbation with its rigid schedule and lack of privacy. Instead, most women do not have the opportunity to fully explore themselves until their late twenties. She advocated taking off entire weekends and devoting them to masturbation sessions.

Files moved on to the female orgasm, a topic which focused mainly on the clitoris. 'At the eye of the storm is the clitoris,' she said. 'It knows more than the vagina does and is a more reliable counselor than the vagina.' She added that it 'has proportions that bare no relation to its potential.' She discussed the interesting psychology of the clitoris. '[It] works best when you treat it right,' but 'remains mute when abused or misunderstood.' Thus, 'we use the clitoris as a concrete symbol of women's sexuality.'

Files moved from the clitoris to deeper subject matter—like vaginal bruising, which can occur if one has not had sex for an extended period of time. 'The use of lubricants is much recommended. My favorite is Astroglide,' she said. Dr. Files, evidently enamored with the topic, explained the brands of lubricants that could be purchased. If one is ambitious enough, 'the sky is the limit' for lubricants in Montreal. In fact, there are even some wonderfully flavored lubricants out there.

Often during the lecture Dr. Files boiled over with enthusiasm, such as when describing an actual woman she had examined. '[Her vagina] was pink, it was rosy, it was beautiful.' She praised vaginas in general: 'The vagina is such a sturdy organ. You can tell I just love it!'

As she neared the end of her speech, Dr. Files answered questions regarding visual stimulation, and the scientific proof that men are more visually aroused then women. This topic required a definition of terms. 'Pornography is a money-making business,' she said. 'Erotica is sexually stimulating.' The difference apparently has something to do with the exploitation of women and their bodies. There is such a thing as tasteful pornography. When Dr. Files asked if the Women's Resource Center had any erotica, a representative piped up, 'We have lots in the library.'

Dr. Files eventually came to her final subject: female ejaculation. The audience was enthralled to learn that female ejaculation has never been scientifically proven to exist and is 'not a common occurrence.' Few, if any, have studies been done on the subject.

Thankfully.

Files Sex Talk Stimulating

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