He believed her eyes more than he believed her words. Narcissus and Goldmund. This book looks at the history of American sexual behavior from the point of view of acquaintance rape. Historically, Americans have been remarkably voluble about human sexuality, passing sex through the endless mill of speech in our theories and popular beliefs. Although such cues emanate from the body, because their meaning varies according to a partner's interpretation they are preeminently cultural.
Wordless sex is full of social consequences and meaning.
For one thing, it carries the tremendous risks of unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. To mention just one of any number of social meanings, sometimes sex is played as a game of conquest. In this game the man who moves ahead without obtaining verbal consent acts as seducer, wielding power not just in the sexual activity itself but also in the boasts to his buddies about his latest sexual conquest. Other women feel violated if the sex is unwanted and against their will. Surveys conducted in the l970s found that a high number of women answered affirmatively when asked if they had experienced nonconsensual sex, including rape.