fertility fetish

An initial reaction to the use of the phrase “fertility fetish” in Helen Gardner’s Art Through the Ages is an uneasy reaction. To be sure, history is presented with a bias, but reminders of that bias are never pretty. Phrases like “fertility fetish” demonstrate this bias. “Fertility fetish” has been used to describe the Venus of Willendorf statue. The “fertility fetish” can be broken down for further analysis. “Fertility” is defined as the ability to produce offspring; reproductive power, while “fetish” can be defined as an object regarded with awe as being the habitation embodiment of a potent spirit or having magical potency.

The power to produce offspring is obviously associated with women and the term fetish is generally a term that has negative connotations. This implies that an object that is defined as a fertility fetish is not an object that only shows great respect for fertility, but an object with an unhealthy reverence for fertility. The phrase “fertility fetish” is an inherently sexist phrase. It implies that fertility, and therefore females, is an idea that does not deserve any kind of praise. It is surprising that Gardner honored the use of the phrase by including it in his work, especially considering that it was in all likelihood a phrase first used by men who did not think the idea of ​​a woman with power was likely. Attaching fetish to the word fertility is also anti-sex. The only way to obtain a state of fertility at the time the phrase was first used was through a sexual encounter. By linking the fetish to fertility, the phrase is essentially downgrading the idea of ​​pregnancy achieved through sex.

Perhaps the worst bias placed on the Venus of Willendorf or other “fertility fetishes” is the bias of Western cultures, specifically those where Christianity is common. The reason the Woman of Willendorf is referred to as a fertility fetish rather than an ancient Austrian religious artifact is due to the twist in modern religion. If it was an ancient Christian artifact, it would be considered a religious artifact, but since it is a pagan religion, it is a fetish. History and religion walk a very tightrope. Much of human history is based on religious figures, ceremonies and places. However, it is critical that the story, despite its religious involvement, remain as objective as possible. False reports write a false story. This is why terms like “fertility fetish” are so destructive. It is an injustice not only for a work of art, but for an entire civilization.

An initial reaction to the use of the phrase “fertility fetish” in Helen Gardner’s Art Through the Ages is an uneasy reaction. To be sure, history is presented with a bias, but reminders of that bias are never pretty. Phrases like “fertility fetish” demonstrate this bias. “Fertility fetish” has been used to describe the Venus of Willendorf statue.

The “fertility fetish” can be broken down for further analysis. “Fertility” is defined as the ability to produce offspring; reproductive power, while “fetish” can be defined as an object regarded with awe as being the habitation embodiment of a potent spirit or having magical potency. The power to produce offspring is obviously associated with women and the term fetish is generally a term that has negative connotations. This implies that an object that is defined as a fertility fetish is not an object that only shows great respect for fertility, but an object with an unhealthy reverence for fertility.

The phrase “fertility fetish” is an inherently sexist phrase. It implies that fertility, and therefore females, is an idea that does not deserve any kind of praise. It is surprising that Gardner honored the use of the phrase by including it in his work, especially considering that it was in all likelihood a phrase first used by men who did not think the idea of ​​a woman with power was likely.

Attaching fetish to the word fertility is also anti-sex. The only way to obtain a state of fertility at the time the phrase was first used was through a sexual encounter. By linking the fetish to fertility, the phrase is essentially downgrading the idea of ​​pregnancy achieved through sex.

Perhaps the worst bias placed on the Venus of Willendorf or other “fertility fetishes” is the bias of Western cultures, specifically those where Christianity is common. The reason the Woman of Willendorf is referred to as a fertility fetish rather than an ancient Austrian religious artifact is due to the twist in modern religion. If it was an ancient Christian artifact, it would be considered a religious artifact, but since it is a pagan religion, it is a fetish.

History and religion walk a very tightrope. Much of human history is based on religious figures, ceremonies and places. However, it is critical that the story, despite its religious involvement, remain as objective as possible. False reports write a false story. This is why terms like “fertility fetish” are so destructive. It is an injustice not only for a work of art, but for an entire civilization.