Abstract (eng)
This master's thesis investigates how individuals with vulvas experience their vulva, particularly in a sexual context, and aims to provide a nuanced understanding of the experiences involved in having a vulva. The study contextualizes the social representations of the vulva, including the taboos, sexualization, norming, and (im)purity, as well as the movement of vulva diversity. Additionally, the concept of (sexual) body knowledge and Sydow‘s (1991) sexual self-knowledge are explored to understand how individuals with vulvas experience their bodies within societal and personal contexts. Six problem-centred interviews were conducted with four cis women and two non-binary persons with diverse sexual orientati-ons, aged between 26 and 35 years. The interviews were analyzed using the documentary method, which enabled a better understanding of the (sexual) experiences of the vulva. The study identifies five main themes, including (1) the complex nature of (sexual) experience with the vulva, (2) the most significant influential representation being the tabooing in childhood and adolescence, (3) pubic hair being a topic of discussion for all respondents, (4) seeing different vulvas contributing to a positive perception, and (5) respondents wanting more attention given to the vulva in their sexuality and a shift away from the focus on pe-netrative sex. This research highlights the need to de-taboo the vulva and provide comprehensive (sex-)education about the vulva and its physical (sexual) functions to support indivi-duals with vulvas in their (sexual) experiences on a pleasure-based level.