Online expression of female sexuality in the perspective of social information processing theory

• Main Authors: Setiawati, Titin, Agustini, Vilya Dwi, Maududi, Mukhlis Muhammad, Dzaljad, Rifma Ghulam, Rahmawati, Yulia, Pranawati, Rita, Pamungkas, Andika, Camba, Cesar Armando S.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Subjects: Communication; Data processing; Intimacy; Messages; Sexuality
• ISSN: 0094-243X; 1551-7616
• DOI: 10.1063/5.0243576

This research aims to elaborate on women’s expressions of sexuality in online media. In Indonesian society, sexuality is something that resides in the private sphere, never discussed openly in the public sphere. Especially in a society that still holds patriarchal values, women will be viewed badly if they dare to express their sexuality. With the development of communication technology, there has been a shift regarding the disclosure of women’s sexuality. The mediated public sphere becomes a new arena for expressing women’s sexuality. Women dare to express their sexuality openly, especially in WhatsApp groups whose members consist of fellow women. Things that were previously considered taboo become blurred and are revealed openly, especially if there is a physical meeting where the matter is discussed beforehand. This research shows that communication that occurs in online media (CMC) is able to develop intimacy among its members, although CMC has limitations when compared to FtF communication because online-based media can only send text messages which are interpreted as verbal messages. Discussions about sexuality that are often carried out by women are also able to build intimacy among its members. Intimacy is built in members who are involved in conversations about sexuality, although not all group members are interested in being involved in the conversation.