Exposing the Myths and Fallacies of the Vagina Monologues

Exposing the Myths and Fallacies of the Vagina Monologues

What do actresses Rachel McAdams, Calista Flockhart, and Roseanne Barr have in common? They have all performed in Eve Ensler’s infamous play The Vagina Monologues. Every year, throughout the months of February and March, college papers across the country publish articles condemning or promoting the play. Whether you are a supporter or not, the feeling of exasperation at the thought of another piece trying to sway you one way or another can often be mutually shared; however, when the content of such a play is misrepresented, dispelling the fallacies becomes crucial.

It is imperative that college students investigate the facts and the myths that surround every cause that calls out for support. Upon hearing your friends talk, it’s easy to conclude that the play promotes the liberation and empowerment of women. If, however, you pick up a copy for yourself, reality proves quite the contrary. In the over-sexualized culture in which we live, Ensler has taken it upon herself to degrade a woman’s self-image to being solely defined by her body and sexual organs. What is empowerment? It is the focus on the dignity of the woman: her intellect, integrity, strength, and spirit. There is no liberation in chanting the word “vagina” ad infinitum as described in the chapter entitled “Reclaiming Cunt.”

Thousands of college students are lured into supporting the play each year, due to the misbelief that Ensler’s primary concern is to raise awareness regarding violence against women. Think again. She has been quoted saying, “If you had an understanding of the play, the vagina becomes the least significant thing.” Throughout the play, however, Ensler states that Monologues was penned in an attempt to rediscover her own vagina, because she frets over how, “we don’t think about them.” Instead, she should be worrying about how punishments are not severe enough for sex offenders or that self-defense techniques are not sufficiently funded.

The claim is often heard that those who oppose the play are anti-feminist. On the contrary, I propose that opponents of the play couldn’t be greater proponents of true feminism. Those who fought for our liberties and equal treatment under the law (the original feminists) were against reducing women to mere body parts, which is the very message Ensler conveys.

While we’re at it, let’s tackle another myth: Violence against women will end due to funds raised by the V-Day campaign. Although some funds are going to organizations that help victims, the play does not effectively call attention to the real issues, nor does it offer solutions. In treating women as objects, the play promotes the very attitude that often leads to sexual violence.

As an author, maintaining the credibility of your work is critical and Ensler herself says the play is based on true stories gathered from interviews of over 200 women, only to then state in her book that, “Some of the monologues are close to verbatim interviews, some are composite interviews, and with some I just began with the seed of an interview and had a good time.” There is no real evidence that these interviews were ever conducted even when you check her V-Day Web site.

Prior to cracking open the cover, I would never have guessed that within the pages I would read about a spiritually redeeming experience. The audacity of describing the rape of a young girl by an older woman in this way is repulsive. The experience is described as being “a surprising, unexpected, politically incorrect salvation.” The young girl is said to claim that this encounter raised her vagina to “a kind of heaven.” As you read through the chapter, the picture is painted of a 24-year-old woman handing the girl vodka and proceeding to violate her. What they don’t tell you is that in the original monologue the scene concluded with the lines, “If it was rape, it was good rape.”

For a play committed to combating violence against women, its logic isn’t very tight. You want to know what violence is? It’s finding that more women die of cervical cancer (caused by HPV, the human papillomavirus) every year than of AIDS-related complications every year. according to the medical journal Sexually Transmitted Infections. Condoms don’t offer protection against HPV, but Ensler wouldn’t be caught promoting premarital abstinence, even if it does safeguard against cervical cancer.

Instead of falling into our culture’s libertine approach to finding fulfillment through sex, reclaim what Valentine’s Day is truly about—love and romance. Don’t allow Ensler to define your role as a woman; you deserve much more. Instead, take a stand for your principles, voice your opinions, and empower women by celebrating their strength, intellect, and integrity. Promote human dignity and respect, not degradation and debasement.

Dawn Eden, author of The Thrill of the Chaste and long time New York Post columnist, lays it out perfectly when she says, “there is no dignity in a society that encourages touching another person’s body but not allowing that person to touch your heart.”