Are You a ‘Good Girl?’

Dear Dr. Fulbright,
How can I break out of the “Good girls don’t do that” trap and realize that if you never push your boundaries, you’ll keep having the same old sex forever?
— Anonymous
Dear Anonymous,
Most people grow up with a lot of negative messages about sex, for example, they’re told whom to have sex with and under what circumstances. Anything outside of that recipe can be scary, guilt-ridden and wrong. At the same time, it’s titillating because we’re suddenly “bad” if we deviate.
When it comes to sex, the “good girl” versus “bad girl” labels are just that — societal labels. They’re just a negative way of capturing different degrees of one’s willingness to experiment sexually or push the sexual relations envelope. What works for one isn’t going to work for another, and what’s pleasurable for one is going to be a turn off for the next.
So it’s important to realize that we’re all sexually unique and into different things, and it is such a disservice to yourself (and your relationship) to not be at least somewhat open-minded to trying different things or find out what’s best for you. It’s perfectly healthy for people to test their boundaries with different types of sex play and adventures – and to discover what is most sexually gratifying for them. What other people put on you, like the “good girl” message, is a mere reflection of their own issues, attitudes, and discomforts with sexuality. It is not your burden to bear.
Realize, too, that avoiding the sexual rut helps people to experience new sensations, new forms of pleasure, and helps them to maintain monogamy.
Dr. Yvonne Kristín Fulbright is a sex educator, relationship expert, columnist and founder of Sexuality Source Inc. She is the author of several books including, “Touch Me There! A Hands-On Guide to Your Orgasmic Hot Spots.”
Tags: bad girl, good girl, messages, monogamy, pleasure, sex, sexual relations, sexuality, societal label, society, yvonne fulbright
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Maybe you should try different partners that will not judge you and are willing to help you experiment to see what you like and what you don’t like.
There are many people who are not judgemental about sex, and enjoy experimenting a great deal, you might just need to look a little harder. In fact, some of them may surprise you – as they could be the very same people who publicly say you must stay the “good girl”, but then will be more than willing to help you be a “bad girl” in private.
but public never understand the third eye that you are talking about..agree?
however, being open minded labels some people bad, but how do you find sexual uniqueness without participating on certain things, or experiencing the situation?
It sounds like you need Jesus Christ. Do you believe in the boudaries of marriage and that sex before marriage is wrong?
Wow James, bringing out Jesus already. Your comment will lead most to believe you think Anonymous is having boring sex, without being married. Anonymous’ comments lead me to believe that she has been married for some time, at least a few years, and doesn’t want to fall into that rut on having the “same old sex” forever.
I have accepted Jesus into my relationship with my wife, but certainly not going to get my church involved with my sex life, although it might make Sunday morning services more interesting.
James, do you believe in the Satan and all the openness of polygamy? Drop the holy roller attitude and go practice abstinence somewhere else.
Something tells me there is a lot more to the story (ies) than social labels.
Here we go again!!!!!! Just because somebody wants to lose the “good girl”, they automatically need to find Jesus. Give me a break.
Maybe she’s is in a loving marriage, and just wants to spice things up a little with her husband.
Give me a break.
The boundaries of marriage should be set by those who are involved in the marriage not by outsiders looking in. It is a connection between 2 people and should be what they want. I am not saying that you should cheat, cheating is bad under any circumstances. For the record, if you are one of those who are in an open marriage then I do not believe this is cheating. But I digress, A sexual relationship between two consenting adults is not a bad thing and telling them that They need to find Jesus does not help them in any way. Religion may work for you, but that does not mean that it is for everyone, in fact it kind of makes you look pompous and elitist.
Sorry James, but perhaps you should do a little more reading other than your little black book called the bible, as religion and it’s affiliated hierarchy more often than not are the cause of sexual confusion and hurt. Sex is a normal biological function that has nothing to do with jesus christ and marriage. If we could only turn back the hands of time and take religious hypocrisy and manufactured guilt out of the sex arena, a kinder and better-adjusted humanity would most likely be walking on the face of the earth today.
I know for a fact James is right. You people need to learn what boundaries are.
If Jesus is the answer, then why do so many “moraly superior” people get caught with the “hand” in the “cookie jar”?
Or is it the “do as I say not as I do” hypocracy we get from organized religion. Just looking at catholic priests I would say Jesus isn’t the answer when it comes to certain aspects of the human being. Don’t be offended Catolics, just using that as a glowing example. Every organized religion has it own hypocracy code.
Where are our “morals” a few on here ask? Why where are yours? Coming from something the “good” book taught ya, or that special on Tv, or maybe what your parents taught ya? Well kinda seems to me that morals is each and owns personal way to feel right from wrong. Some condone teen dating some dont, some like Obama as president some dont, some see a socialist gov as giving everyone an equal “chance” others see it as control..but thats the key aspect CONTROL, whats on tv, whats in the movies, the best selling books, the advice guides, the news, it is all controlled to market something or other. A person labeled a freak is really just part of a minority of society that the majority dont understand. Just because the volume of people in one place think something doesnt make it right. The roman catholics used to have the bishops sell passes to heavan on the church steps (dont belive me look it up) everyone can argue whether this column helps people or gives people lower morals, whether it is sick and dirty or a valuable place for infomation but all in all it doesnt matter. Its just funny that all these religous people have so many values but did have to click the link did have to read the ? and the advice click the comments and add something that detracts from the original topic. To yall keep it up it makes me laugh at the amount of belief in something while going against it at the same time with just “beating” down on your fellow man. Prouder to be a freak than fake.
Do you bible beaters always have to interject your god into everything like it’s some kinda fix all? It’s nauseating to me and so many others to have to listen to this garbage. your comments/opinions help no one. Enough of that.
Anonymous,
When it comes to your sex life never let others OPINIONS keep you from trying anything…just keep it safe. If you think it’s going to feel good you owe it to yourself and your sexual health to give it a try. What some may consider disgusting may be the very best experience you ever have. Open yourself up to a world of exploration…I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
Anonymous, don’t be afraid of who you are and don’t let anyone tell you that you should or shouldn’t do something. Experience all of life’s greatness – sex is definitely one of the best experiences life has to offer. However, be responsible – sex is outstanding but comes with responsibilities. Take care and enjoy life.
To the original question and ignoring the “Get Jesus into your relationships” idea which is all fine and good but not at all the answer to this question. Not sure but I do not think the Bible has any advice on the question as written.
Perhaps starting out with a discussion with your pertner would be good. Talk about what your feelings are – perhaps fear that you two will never progress intimately and you want to stop that by trying something new. Perhaps it is simple, you want to try something new with your partner but you don’t want to spring it on him. Perhaps something more daring or adventurous – outdoors maybe? But starting off with a talk may be the way to go.
Good luck! Oh, being bad in this kind of way is good.
Dr. Fulbright and “getsexed” must be studying the same books and probably cohabitating. By the way “getsexed” you can look some these words up in a dictionary or you could get Dr. Yvonne do that for you. You might find reading exciting…….and didactical (see dictionary). Dr. Fulbright’s picture can be found in the dictionary next to “loosey liberal”. Typically they feel they are preordained to strip any and all moral values from America, they believe they have the elitist burden, like our president, to infect anybody and everybody with their liberal attitudes and the resulting physical and psychological maladies that result from randome casual sex because it “feels good.” I’m told heroin feels good too, so I can only assume the good doctor is an advocate for, and participant in drug use. “Getsexed” if this short paragraph is beyond your read skill level I’m sure you can find a “Dick & Jane” book that you would be comfortable with.
why are you attacking “getsexed”? You left out a couple of words, so don’t think that you’re any better at english than them. Bible beaters are, in fact, annoying, so they were right about that. “getsexed” was helpful, unlike you.
Contrary to the belief of JJ Rogers, Jesus is quite relevant to your sex life.
As your Creator, God (YHVH) has every right to set up the parameters of your sexuality and everything else. It follows that He is perfectly within His divine right to judge you for not living within His parameters. You can choose not to live within those parameters to your demise, and indeed you can’t really choose to live within them because you are a slave to sin thanks to the fall of humankind.
That is precisely why you need Jesus. He died in your place, bearing upon himself the punishment for your sins. He rose again that you may have new life. Whoever calls on his name shall be saved. If you don’t, you will bear God’s judgment with no recourse. If you do, you are set free from slavery to sin and can live an abundant life within God’s parameters. A small part of that abundant life is having a healthy sexual relationship to your opposite sex spouse.
Thank Rick for reminding us all that sex is only to be practiced by married adults in their bedroom with the lights off. And a baby better come from that meeting or will be going straight to hell.
I am always amazed by the people who criticize this blog. I mean this is a sex blog. If you find the subject matter objectionable, don’t read it. It’s that simple. I guess some folks have to hate on others to feel good about themselves. Pathetic!
Anyway, to the point. My advice is to sit down with your husband over a drink or two and tell him you’d like to spice things up in the bedroom. If he’s like most men, he’ll come to complete attention and ask you what you have in mind. As for me and my wife, we are always trying new toys, new positions and new locations. The only thing we don’t do is anal sex. Not because it’s wrong or immoral. We just don’t enjoy it.
It is important to pick the right person to experiment with. I believe that it is best to have sex with the same person your whole life. Luckily I was able to do that. We don’t get stuck in a rut because we change things up often. Having sex is easy and having exciting sex is easy if you are having sex with different people all the time. Having exciting sex with someone you have had sex with thousands of times requires thinking outside the box and willingly experimenting on a regular basis. Condoms only provide mild protection from many sexually transmitted diseases and I think that if more people decided to find the right person to committ to and experiment with, they would not have to live with the consequences of having sex with the wrong person and ending up with a virus that they can never get rid of.
Wow I guess its the same everywhere. If the people on here wanted to hear the gospel and all the other religous ideas that you have we would be in church or posting on a religous blog not on a sexual health page. Its your choice to read it but dont ruin it by filling up the comments with religon when its obvious the majority of column readers do not care. So what if you can use big words I guess you have to make up for lacking in other areas, are you small…………minded or just small. I thought that holy book of yours told you not to cast stones, respect the fellow man, etc…..seems like in all your attacking and preaching you seem to forgot your own rules. Good thing we dont have the same rules as you though cause I can smile when you act like a fool preaching lies from the youngest most changing religon that was ever created if you wanna be a true thumper go back to the original bible, arabic or does your intelligence get clouded by the lies again called religon. Just remember when you get all hot and bothered and comment back look up in the history of comments and see who started this battle, like all other wars involving religons its you that start it, bad thing is you normally lose.
Wow. It’s amazing how much vitriol and hate is being spewed because someone mentioned Jesus. Why is it ok for 20 random uncertified opinions to be stated and debated, but the one referencing Jesus gets kicked around? Why does it matter if a post says being a Vegan will fix your lovelife, handcuffs can’t hurt, or monogamy and Jesus? How is it open minded to talk about releasing inhibitions but not allow other people’s opinions? Do you hate Jesus or christians?
Lets start by saying that Dr. Yvonne Fulbright is here to answer questions relating to sex. Some people are asking questions that they seriously want answered. Of course sometimes there are questions that are totally rediculous, but questions none the less. If these topics bother you, use your intelligence and your motor function, and don’t click on the link for this forum. And for you “bible thumpers,” remember, “judge not, lest ye be jugdged!!”