Meaning: The quote "Leaving sex to the feminists is like letting your dog vacation at the taxidermist" is a provocative statement made by Camille Paglia, an American author, and social critic. The quote reflects Paglia's contrarian and controversial views on feminism and its relationship to sexuality. To fully understand the meaning and context of the quote, it's important to delve into Paglia's background, her views on feminism, and her overall body of work.

Camille Paglia is known for her unapologetic and iconoclastic views on gender, sex, and culture. As a self-proclaimed feminist, she gained notoriety for challenging the mainstream feminist movement and its stances on various issues. Paglia's critiques of contemporary feminism often center on what she sees as its failure to fully embrace and understand the complexities of human sexuality.

In the quote, Paglia employs a metaphor to convey her belief that feminists, particularly those she considers to be overly dogmatic or puritanical, are neglecting the fundamental and primal aspects of human sexuality. The comparison of leaving sex to feminists to letting a dog vacation at a taxidermist is intended to be jarring and thought-provoking. By using this analogy, Paglia suggests that by relinquishing control of sex and sexuality to feminists, the true essence and vitality of human sexual expression are being stifled or distorted.

Paglia's critique of feminism in relation to sexuality stems from her broader views on the importance of embracing and celebrating the raw and instinctual aspects of human nature. Throughout her career, she has emphasized the significance of understanding and acknowledging the biological and psychological underpinnings of human sexuality. In her view, mainstream feminism's approach to sex often overlooks or dismisses these primal forces, leading to what she sees as a repressive or unnatural attitude toward sexual expression.

It's worth noting that Paglia's perspectives have been met with both fervent support and vehement criticism. While some applaud her for challenging the status quo and advocating for a more nuanced understanding of gender and sexuality, others accuse her of being deliberately contrarian and dismissive of the legitimate concerns of mainstream feminism. Nevertheless, Paglia's impact on the discourse surrounding feminism, sexuality, and gender cannot be denied.

In conclusion, Camille Paglia's quote "Leaving sex to the feminists is like letting your dog vacation at the taxidermist" encapsulates her unorthodox and contentious views on feminism and its relationship to human sexuality. By employing a striking metaphor, Paglia seeks to convey her belief that feminism, as she perceives it, has failed to fully embrace and understand the inherent complexities and primal nature of human sexual expression. Whether one agrees or disagrees with Paglia's viewpoint, her provocative statements continue to stimulate important discussions about feminism, sexuality, and the diverse range of perspectives within the feminist movement.