There is a common belief that people need to hide their desires in order to survive in society. This attitude towards sex has led to many taboos around it, making it hard for individuals to express themselves freely.
There are some benefits that come from keeping one's erotic life hidden.
Secrecy can allow them to explore their fantasies without judgment or fear of being judged. Secrecy also allows people to resist social norms regarding sexual expression and explore new ideas about what constitutes pleasure.
Secrecy can be seen as a form of resistance against dominant power structures and cultural oppression.
I will explain how secrecy helps subversive thought, imaginative exploration, and resistance. First, I will discuss how secrecy facilitates subversive thought. People who keep their erotic lives hidden are able to think outside the box and challenge societal norms. They can experiment with different ideas and behaviors without feeling like they have to fit into a certain mold. Second, I will talk about how secrecy encourages imaginative exploration. When people feel free to pursue their erotic interests privately, they may be more likely to try new things and expand their horizons. Third, I will argue that secrecy is an important tool for resistance. By hiding parts of their identity, marginalized groups can protect themselves from discrimination and other forms of violence.
While secrecy can offer these advantages, there are also downsides to keeping one's erotic life hidden. It can lead to feelings of shame and isolation, and make it difficult to connect with others on a deep level.
Secrecy may perpetuate negative stereotypes about sex and sexuality.
When used in moderation and with awareness, secrecy can be an empowering tool for those seeking to express themselves fully and authentically.
I want to emphasize that everyone has the right to choose whether or not they wish to share their sexual experiences publicly. There is no single right answer when it comes to erotic secrecy; each person must decide what works best for them based on their own needs and desires.
In what ways does erotic secrecy facilitate subversive thought, imaginative exploration, and resistance?
Eric Fromm argued that "secrecy plays an essential role in human sexuality" (Fromm 1956), which implies that it is fundamental for humans to be able to separate their private world from their public one. In turn, this creates opportunities for individuals to imagine new possibilities and explore themselves beyond social norms.