Tom Ford, man of many fashion and film-related endeavours, has posited the idea that all men should be sexually penetrated at least once in their lives. “I think it would help them understand women,” he told GQ, because “it’s such a vulnerable position to be in, and it’s such a passive position to be in. And there’s such an invasion, in a way, that even if it’s consensual, it’s just very personal.”
But is being penetrated at least once in your life a defining part of the female experience? And would being “invaded” really help men understand what it means to be a woman?
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To find out I went and asked a load of men in the street for their views on Ford’s grand plan (some of whom didn’t want to be photographed, which is why there’s no photos of them).
Alex, 34
“Medically, yes, it’s fine. Like checking for prostate cancer. But I wouldn’t be penetrated for any other reason.”
Gary, 45
“I think he’s confused. I don’t agree with that at all. Who is Tom Ford to make the decision that all men should be penetrated? As a man you’re vulnerable in other ways, so that doesn’t need to happen for us to understand women. It’s deeper than that.”
Arnaud, 23
“I kind of agree with him. It’s a little bit ‘freaky’, I suppose, but humanity is a little freaky. I haven’t ever done it, but some of my friends have. Really, I suppose it should be up to the individual person.”
Hamza, 23
“I’ve never really thought about it, to be honest, but I don’t agree with the idea. It’s not necessary for us to do that to understand what it feels like to be a woman. I think for most women their vulnerability is psychological. Even professionally, women might not feel comfortable, they might feel vulnerable – it’s not all physical.”
Argy, 28
“Forcing a straight man to have homosexual relations seems to be a bit strange. It should be a choice, not a requirement.”
Xin, 31
“I don’t know how it feels because I’ve never done that, but I think Tom Ford has got a point. I don’t think any man should ‘have’ to be penetrated; that’s wrong. But maybe it would be better if we could understand what it feels like? I don’t think it could be a bad thing in many ways.”
Joe, 52
“I think he’s talking bilge. I certainly would not allow that. These days you have all these wacky opinions – it’s rubbish.”
David, 68
“I think Tom Ford is off his bloody rocker. In some countries he’d get strung up for saying that. Has he got nothing better to do than tell men they should be penetrated?”
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