Discussing gender

Since 1995, John Bancroft has been striving to foster the mission of the Kinsey Institute: to promote interdisciplinary research and scholarship in the fields of human sexuality, gender and reproduction. \nLast night Bancroft, director of the Kinsey Institute, presented a lecture titled, "If I could choose, what kind of sexual world would this be?" in the Whittenberger Auditorium of the Indiana Memorial Union. The lecture was a part of AIDS Week, sponsored by the Health and Wellness Center. Bancroft discussed the roles of men and women in the societies of the past, present and future. \nCurrently, in several places around the world, women are being oppressed, Bancroft said -- and he wants this to change. He envisions a shift from today's "patriarchal" world to a world where there is complete equality between men and women. In his presentation he outlined how the roles of men, women, and religion in society would look in his sexual world -- his "Bancroftian paradise."\nHe explored the issues of marriage and parenthood, religion, the need for social and legal constraints and pornography.\nBancroft said his world is "sex positive and gender balanced." He said the world is currently changing, as it has been since the beginning. The first step in achieving equality is to correct the gender imbalance. \nWhen Bancroft began his work in the field of human sexuality, there were not very many people to help him get started. Not until recently did women begin to emerge as professionals in the field of sexology.\n"I lacked a real mentor," he said. "There were not many people around in sexology. For the most part it is a very narrow field."\nBancroft said he met with late chancellor Herman B Wells once per semester to discuss the Institute and its research. He said Wells was "always very encouraging" when he visited the Kinsey Institute or when Bancroft visited his office.\nHe said the best part about working at the Institute has been his co-workers. \n"They are a great team. I've really become attached to them," Bancroft said. "It's a great university and I've enjoyed the opportunity of being here. The Kinsey Institute is a very important place."\nWhen Bancroft first came to the Institute, there was somewhat of a standstill in sex research, yet it's an aspect he feels has changed since he became director. \n"It's been great to be a part of that process," Bancroft said.\nBancroft has spent seven years at the Kinsey Institute. He plans to retire in 2003, after 10 years as director. \nWhen he retires, Bancroft plans to return to his home country, England, where he owns a piece of land outside Oxford where, he said, he has implanted a part of his soul. He also intends to continue writing books. So far Bancroft has written over 200 articles as well as a book titled, "Human Sexuality and its Problems," which is believed to be one of the most scholarly comprehensive texts published on human sexuality.\nSenior Brent Talbot was among the over 200 in attendance last night. He said he found Bancroft's lecture "informative and well-presented. It is insightful to incorporate the history of the phallocentric world (when discussing) the issues that have been raised."\nGraduate students Robin Milhausen and Sara Cole said they are eager to sign up for Bancroft's world. \n"We want to live in his world," Milhausen said. "Women are freed to enjoy sexuality and men are freed from the need to perform. That's utopia."\nCole said one aspect of Bancroft's world that is significant is that there will be less sexual violence. "That speaks for itself," Cole said.\nBut Bancroft is doubtful his paradise will ever come about in its entirety.\n"(However), there could be a change to a more gender equal society," he said. "We are moving in that direction."\nStephanie Sanders, associate director of the Kinsey Institute and professor of gender studies, said bringing the topics out in dialogue is an important step in realizing a larger goal.\n"That's the point -- to imagine a different kind of setup where gender relations are central to recreating a more sex positive world," Sanders said.