Reversing Roles

In The Guide to Getting It On, the author describes a role-playing exercise that took place during Betty Dodson's sex groups for women. It involved women getting on top of imaginary lovers and penetrating them with their clitorises. The women had to thrust for 3 minutes while the moderator commented on everyone's technique. "Keep your arms straight; don't crush your lover. You're too high up; your clitoris just fell out. Don't stop moving, you'll lose your erection. Don't move so fast; you'll come too soon. And don't forget to whisper sweet things in your lover's ear between all those passionate kisses."

Following the exercise, the women said, "How do men do it?" They complained of tired arms, lower-back pain, and stiff hip joints. It increased their empathy for men as well as their willingness to try other positions for lovemaking other than missionary.