It is believed that sextoys are modern vices, that sexual pleasure is starting to be talked about now, that BDSM is a modern practice as well as the use of the strapon. But are we sure that is really the case?
Well, doing some research we found that sexual pleasure has always been central even in ancient civilizations. The strapon is not a modern vice, but an ancient tool for giving and receiving pleasure, between lesbian and nonlesbian couples. So let's see together how it evolved!
THE STRAPON IN ANCIENT TIMES
Let's start with a small definition, what is the strapon? It is a wearable dildo thanks to a harness and can be worn for penetrative sex. Strap-ons have a very long history dating back to the? Paloelitic!
Strap-ons were depicted in frescoes, artifacts, and writings. They were used in various contexts including: religious rituals, sexual activities, and even as children's toys in ancient Greece. However, the true understanding of strap-on sex throughout history is often hidden in the limited ancient artifacts and texts.
STRAPONS EXISTED BACK IN PREHISTORY!!
The oldest artifact that is believed to be a strap-on dates to the Upper Paleolithic period around 10,000 BCE. This artifact, a double "stick," had a hole in the center that is thought to have been used to insert a strap in order to hold it in place. Other artifacts such as a Japanese wooden dildo and an Oriental double strapon carved from jade have also been found. These further prove the existence of strap-ons in ancient times.
EARLY REPRESENTATIONS OF THE STRAPON
Strap-ons have existed since the earliest known civilizations. Frescoes, paintings, poems, and artifacts show that they were invented quite early and became an important part of the sexual life of the time. Conceived as a manifestation of the ancient conception of gender, which sometimes mixed and harmonized different genders, early strapons were used by both men and women.
Clues to the use of strap-ons can also be found in frescoes depicting sexual acts in now-forgotten brothels and bathhouses. For example, a fresco discovered at the Suburban Baths in Pompeii, Italy, depicts a trio with male anal penetration. Another fresco in Pompeii depicts a woman penetrating women and men with a strapon harness. This suggests that strapon sex was accepted and celebrated in ancient Italy.
THE SOCIAL FUNCTION OF THE STRAPON IN ANTIQUITY
Ancient writings also make reference to strap-on sex. Roman writings mention lesbians using strapon dildos. In Procopius' The Secret History, he depicts the wife of Emperor Justinian engaging in strap-on sex with her male lovers. Some Latin poets and satirists also mention strap-on dildos and same-sex sexual activities involving strap-ons.
It is important to approach the history of strap-on sex with an understanding of the cultural and social contexts of different historical periods. Strap-on sex was not only associated with the imitation of hetero intercourse. The main purposes were pleasure, power dynamics (man/woman and woman/woman), and alternative sexual practices.
It is critical to recognize that interpretations of artifacts and texts are subject to limitations and bias. The history of strap-on sex, like many aspects of sexuality, is complex and multifaceted, influenced by cultural, social and individual factors.
THE STRAPON IN TODAY'S SOCIETY: STEREOTYPES AND CONTROVERSES
Nowadays, there is a growing movement to challenge social taboos and embrace diverse sexual practices, including strap-on sex. Educators, psychologists, and influencers are working to normalize strap-on sex and create inclusive spaces for people who value strap-on use or those who are just discovering it. By understanding the historical context and dismantling preconceptions, we can promote a more inclusive and welcoming attitude.
STRAPONS AND GENDER IDENTITY. ARE THEY RELATED?
It is important to note that strap-on use does not define a person's gender identity or sexual orientation. People can have sex with strap-ons various reasons, including pleasure, preferences, and exploring different sexual experiences. If you, too, want to learn more about how to explore we encourage you to read our article on how to use a strapon. The key is to prioritize communication, consent, and mutual pleasure in all sexual activities.
It has taken time for our understanding of gender and sex to evolve to what it is today. Over the years, the rise of patriarchal structures has influenced not only people's views of sex, but also the meaning of sex.
The strong influence of religion on people's lives and the overall structure of our societies has limited the meaning sex to reproduction for 2 millennia. It ended all kinds of narratives that associated sex with "women's pleasure" and the use of phalluses for simple penetration within the confines of clearly defined gender roles.
This idea is supported by misogynistic perspectives that associate passivity during sex with femininity and femininity with weakness. There are tons of indicators that strap-on sex is still considered a humiliating act for cis-het couples.
STRAPON AND LESBIAN SEX STEREOTYPES
When considered in the context of lesbian sex, the controversy over strap-ons stems primarily from heteronormative myths, which see them as an "inferior substitute" for the penis. In this view, lesbian and bisexual women who wear strap-ons are seen as "tomboys" who need a substitute, and those who submit to penetration (note that the same person can use the strap-on actively and passively) are not seen as truly homosexual, since they are basically still looking for the penis. And this, of course, is not true.
Strap-ons are not designed to mimic straight sex, and viewing them as such only reinforces the heteronormative barriers that already surround these sex toys. Another controversy, is that they are seen as a fetish for the subversion of gender roles during intercourse. Or again as an accessory for BDSM sex - words that do not have negative connotations, but may contribute to marginalizing people who like to use strapons of various types (strapless dildos, strapons with double penetration, etc...) to have sex in ways other than heteronormative ways.
Again, there are many different reasons why someone might want to use a strap-on dildo with their partner. When asked why you like to use a strapon, one in five people with a vulva said they use a strap-on for "domination," the rest said they prefer it because "it leaves their hands free," "it creates a bond with the other person," or "it's just another way to give pleasure to your partner."
If all this intrigues you and you want to go deeper by finding the right strapon for your body, we leave you with the guide on how to choose the right type of strapon for you.
CONCLUSION
The strapon has always existed, the findings of double strapons in the Paleolithic period, the frescoes found at Pompeii, and the texts of the ancient Greeks and Romans describing female pleasure and domination, as well as lesbian sex, prove it to us.
Modern society is steeped in stereotypes and misconceptions that hover around strapon use such as the correlation between strapons and gender identity. Using an object does not define your gender identity or sexual orientation.
It can be part of a regular routine or an occasional thing for you. There are no "wrong reasons" for wanting to use them and, in the end, the only thing that matters is finding joy.