Quizzer #1:Bonk

1. Do you think it is socially acceptable for the researchers to masturbate and have sex with the research participants?

I think personally it would be awkward if I were either the participant or the researcher. Because, like the book brought up I would think the researchers are mixing work with play and not really finding the information they intended to do. But as long as the participants gave their consent and their names and information would be kept confidential I think it would be ok. Also if the researchers are truly in to find the information that they intended about sex I think it is acceptable. If we didn’t have people doing this we wouldn’t know as much as we know today.

2. How do you think the times have changed from the late 1800’s to now dealing with sex as a public topic?

Back in the 1800’s I think people though sex was “always done but it was never talked about.” It was socially unacceptable and was looked at as being bad and something that wasn’t discussed openly. The book brought up the points that they studied animals to find out how humans copulate. That just wouldn’t work, because we are different in lots of ways. I think as we learned more and more about it; it became easier and more comfortable to talk about. Today, I know it still isn’t polite to talk openly about it with everyone but a lot of people do with friends and in school and at random times. It has come a long way since the late 1800’s till now.

3. If you were Mary Roach and were presented with some of the situations she put herself in, how would you feel?

I would feel so awkward, I think it would take time for me to openly ask the things she does and have a hard time doing it. I would feel ashamed or embarrassed to do so. Also, the seminar that she attended, I think I would just have been freaked out and be like what the hell am I doing here. So, I give her credit for being brave enough to go out and do the research and the interviews she did.

4. After reading a little into the book what do you think Mary Roach was trying to do for her audience by having such an open and graphic book?

I think Mary Roach herself was interested in the mysteries of sex and though her audience might be as well. So, she wrote a very thorough and detailed book. I also think she wanted people to feel more comfortable talking about it because the subject is becoming more open and she wants people to see that. Also, with this book, it shows the history of sex and what we did and didn’t know about it. It brought all that up in the book so the general public could have more knowledge of it and be comfortable around it because they know more about it and are more comfortable with it today.