Unscrewed

Q: What is *Unscrewed: Women, Sex, Power, and How to Stop Letting the System Screw Us All* about?

*Unscrewed* by Jaclyn Friedman critiques systemic barriers to women’s sexual and political empowerment, exposing the myth of “fauxpowerment”—where society gives women the illusion of power without real agency. It examines media, religion, politics, and education’s roles in perpetuating inequality, while advocating for comprehensive sex education, reproductive justice, and cultural change to achieve true equity.

Q: Is *Unscrewed* worth reading?

Yes. Praised for its sharp analysis of sexual politics, *Unscrewed* offers actionable insights despite critiques of its limited focus on racial intersectionality. Its exploration of fauxpowerment and systemic change remains highly relevant, making it a vital resource for modern feminist discourse.

Women, Sex, Power, and How to Stop Letting the System Screw Us All

Jaclyn Friedman

4.28 (413 Reviews)

Overview of Unscrewed

In "Unscrewed," Jaclyn Friedman exposes "fauxpowerment" - society's illusion of sexual equality without actual agency. Emmy-winner Tatiana Maslany calls it "required reading," while Vox's Elizabeth Plank admits you'll find yourself whispering "yas" to truths you've felt but never shared.

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Intro

Summary of Unscrewed

1
Breaking the Illusion of Sexual Liberation
00:00
00:00
In a world where women are told they're sexually liberated, reality tells a different story. A teacher loses her job when a student steals her private nude selfie. A woman is murdered for politely declining a man's advances. Despite decades of supposed progress, most women still experience that familiar flinch of fear when male attention turns sexual. This gap between our cultural narrative of female empowerment and women's lived experiences reveals what Jaclyn Friedman calls "fauxpowerment" - the dangerous illusion of sexual freedom that masks continued oppression. Consider Shaunna Lane, who tried a private nude photoshoot to boost her body confidence. When an ex posted these images on revenge porn sites with her personal information, she paid $400 to have them removed - but they continued circulating, leaving her terrified to leave her apartment. Society's response? Blame women. Don't take nude photos. Don't dress provocatively. This approach accepts misogyny as inevitable while dividing women into "smart" and "foolish" camps, reinforcing the virgin/whore dichotomy that has controlled women for centuries. The sexual revolution promised freedom but delivered a world where women's sexuality remains "a volatile but precious resource that needs proper management." Even with contraception access, women found the revolution's promises unfulfilled. As journalist Virginia Ironside recalled, with pregnancy fears removed, men "continued satisfying their own needs without considering whether women found it pleasurable." Women lacked both cultural power and personal knowledge to demand satisfying sex.
2
The Politics of Female Bodies
Hugh Hefner strategically aligned Playboy with women's liberation by funding abortion rights campaigns, filing briefs for Roe v. Wade, and hosting ERA fundraisers. This allowed him to coopt women's bodily liberation while selling it back to men-perfecting "fauxpowerment" through an illusion of sexual revolution that centered women visually while maintaining male control. This commodification spread through mainstream culture with shows like Charlie's Angels featuring women who were both capable and sexually available for male consumption, creating "modern" women who didn't threaten the status quo. As Reagan's rise empowered evangelical Christians politically, feminism fractured. Some white feminist leaders sought common ground with the new majority, with NARAL shifting to libertarian arguments for abortion rights rather than advocating for state-ensured access, effectively abandoning poor women, mostly of color. In response, Black feminist activists like Loretta Ross developed "reproductive justice"-framing reproductive freedom as a human right requiring economic means to raise children, safety from violence, freedom from coerced sterilization, and full healthcare access. This framework connected multiple issues: "It allows you to talk about the prison-industrial complex, gentrification, sterilization, immigration, all in one conversation-which you couldn't do under the pro-choice framework."
3
The Science of Female Desire
Despite our modern era, we still lack fundamental scientific understanding of female sexuality. The internal clitoral structure wasn't discovered until Helen O'Connell's MRI studies in the late nineties-long after male anatomy was thoroughly documented. The clitoris-the only body part designed solely for pleasure-extends far beyond the visible portion with arm-like structures deep in the pelvis. Historical perspectives contradict current assumptions. While today's "common wisdom" suggests men are naturally more sexual, throughout most of Western history until the nineteenth century, women were considered the ones with uncontrollable sex drives. Modern beliefs about women preferring faces over genitals, sensuality over "crass fucking," or sex only in loving relationships lack research support. Researcher Meredith Chivers found that men's physical arousal typically matches their self-reported arousal and orientation. Women, however, respond physically to almost all sexual stimuli regardless of orientation, while reporting arousal to a much narrower range-creating a "concordance gap" widest in heterosexual women. Chivers attributes this research gap to male-centered priorities. Women suffer from society's ignorance about female sexuality. As Chivers notes, "vagina is just a space" surrounded by organs-essentially defined by where "the penis goes," revealing how female anatomy is conceptualized through a male lens.
Chapter 4
Media's Double Standards and Economic Control
Female celebrities face contradictory expectations to be both sexually empowered and modest. Beyonce's pantless performance before "FEMINIST" letters sparked debates between those seeing liberation and those seeing male voyeurism. These arguments miss the point: no single image can satisfy all representation needs. The real issue is who controls media creation. Men dominate leadership across media industries, portraying female bodies primarily as ornamental, sexual rewards, or obstacles. We need diversity in media ownership, not censorship. Our current landscape resembles a grocery store selling only junk food. Our sexuality is inseparable from economic forces. When the "free market" controls sexual culture, profit-driven corporations dictate discourse. Facebook bans ads suggesting sex can be pleasurable while allowing dangerous diet pills and weapons. Market feminism frames purchasing sexy products as activism, but buyable "empowerment" remains individualistic - a temporary escape from systemic problems not everyone can afford. Women pursue this fauxpowerment while facing economic disadvantage, earning just 83 cents for every dollar men make, with women of color earning even less. Financial constraints force countless women into unwanted sexual situations, whether through sex work or remaining with partners they can't afford to leave.
Chapter 5
Religion, Protection, and Masculinity
Despite constitutional church-state separation, right-wing Christianity significantly shapes American sexual politics, partnering with Republicans to oppose sexual freedom while contradicting Jesus's teachings. Federal welfare dollars flow to heterosexual marriage promotion through TANF grants, despite no evidence these programs reduce poverty. Our culture's obsession with "protecting" women often increases vulnerability. The "rescue narrative" portrays women as incapable decision-makers, while "sexualization" creates a harmful innocent/corrupted binary for girls. This framework punishes victims like "Briana," who was shunned after a boy shared her coerced photo, while the boys distributing images faced minimal consequences. Modern masculinity exists in opposition to femininity, requiring constant defense against acknowledging women's complexity. Masculinity isn't inherent but a shifting set of cultural standards many men feel inadequate meeting. This insecurity drives violence - men with something to prove about their manhood perpetrate most violence worldwide.
Chapter 6
Creating Real Change
Sex education in America exists in a troubling paradox: we meticulously prepare students for rare emergencies like fires, yet provide minimal preparation for sexual situations they'll inevitably face. Only 24 states mandate any sex education, while 26 leave it to individual districts with minimal oversight. The Netherlands offers a stark contrast, with comprehensive sex education beginning in kindergarten. Dutch teens have first sexual encounters at similar ages to Americans but report more positive experiences and higher contraceptive use, resulting in lower STI and teen pregnancy rates. Real progress requires persistent action rather than grand visions. California's "Yes Means Yes" law, which seemed impossible when proposed but passed in 2014, demonstrates that change-makers aren't magical visionaries - they simply refuse to accept the status quo. The path to genuine sexual liberation requires "articulating an irresistibly bold vision of pleasure and freedom that's truly for everyone." It means valuing "genuine pleasure, consent, health, connection, and sovereignty over commodification and 'sexiness.'" As Rabbi Tarfon said: "It is not yours to complete the work, neither is it yours to desist from it." By addressing the root causes of sexual oppression, we can create a world where everyone's sexuality is respected and celebrated. The revolution remains unfinished - but together, we can complete it.

Key Themes in Unscrewed

sexual fauxpowerment
female sexual autonomy
misogynistic double standards
commodification of feminism
rape culture analysis

Quotes from Unscrewed

Consent is sexy.
Fauxpowerment isn't just frustrating - it's dangerous.
Parents would "rather their daughters have cancer than sex."

Characters in Unscrewed

Jaclyn FriedmanAuthor and feminist analyst
Shaunna LaneCase study of a victim of revenge porn
Virginia IronsideBritish journalist reflecting on the revolution
Hugh HefnerPlayboy founder who co-opted feminist rhetoric
MadonnaPop icon who pushed sexual boundaries on MTV

About the Author

Jaclyn Friedman, bestselling author of Unscrewed: Women, Sex, Power, and How to Stop Letting the System Screw Us All, is a leading feminist writer, educator, and activist. She is renowned for pioneering the affirmative consent movement.

A co-editor of the groundbreaking anthology Yes Means Yes: Visions of Female Sexual Power and a World Without Rape—named one of Ms. magazine’s Most Influential Feminist Books—Friedman’s work bridges gender equality, sexual empowerment, and systemic change. Her insights stem from decades of advocacy, including founding EducateUS to reform sex education and launching the #FBrape campaign, which pressured Facebook to ban gender-based hate speech.

Friedman’s commentary has graced The New York Times, NPR, and PBS NewsHour, and her podcast Unscrewed was hailed by Marie Claire and Esquire as a top sex-positive series. Her other works, including What You Really Really Want and the anthology Believe Me, further cement her role as a vital voice in feminist discourse. Yes Means Yes has inspired laws in five U.S. states and remains a staple in gender studies curricula worldwide.

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FAQs About This Book

Unscrewed by Jaclyn Friedman critiques systemic barriers to women’s sexual and political empowerment, exposing the myth of “fauxpowerment”—where society gives women the illusion of power without real agency. It examines media, religion, politics, and education’s roles in perpetuating inequality, while advocating for comprehensive sex education, reproductive justice, and cultural change to achieve true equity.

This book is essential for feminists, activists, educators, and anyone interested in gender equity. It’s particularly valuable for readers seeking to understand how systemic forces shape women’s sexuality and how to combat harmful norms through policy reform, education, and grassroots activism.

Yes. Praised for its sharp analysis of sexual politics, Unscrewed offers actionable insights despite critiques of its limited focus on racial intersectionality. Its exploration of fauxpowerment and systemic change remains highly relevant, making it a vital resource for modern feminist discourse.

Fauxpowerment describes the illusion of sexual freedom granted to women without accompanying political or economic power. Friedman argues corporations and media co-opt feminist rhetoric for profit, masking persistent inequalities in wages, healthcare, and bodily autonomy.

The book frames reproductive justice as more than abortion rights, emphasizing access to healthcare, contraception, and culturally competent medical support. Friedman ties these issues to broader struggles against systemic sexism and religious conservatism.

Friedman critiques right-wing religious groups for weaponizing morality to restrict women’s autonomy, particularly through anti-abortion legislation and opposition to comprehensive sex education. She highlights how these efforts reinforce gender-based power imbalances.

Friedman advocates for inclusive, evidence-based sex education that teaches consent, LGBTQ+ inclusivity, and bodily autonomy. She rejects abstinence-only programs, linking them to higher rates of unintended pregnancy and sexual violence.

Some reviewers note the book’s limited discussion of racial intersectionality and its reliance on the divisive term “fauxpowerment.” However, its analysis of corporate co-optation of feminism is widely praised.

Building on Yes Means Yes (which popularized affirmative consent laws), Unscrewed expands Friedman’s focus to systemic inequities beyond sexual violence, connecting personal empowerment to political action.

Friedman urges readers to challenge fauxpowerment by:

Supporting grassroots activism
Voting for progressive policies
Demanding better sex education
Holding corporations accountable for exploiting feminist rhetoric

The book argues media perpetuates harmful stereotypes by sexualizing women’s bodies while undermining their agency. Friedman calls for critical consumption of media and support for independent, feminist-driven content.

With ongoing debates over abortion rights, #MeToo, and LGBTQ+ inclusivity, Unscrewed’s analysis of systemic sexism offers a roadmap for addressing persistent inequities in education, healthcare, and workplace dynamics.

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LEARNING PLAN

The Female Eunuch: Reclaiming Vitality

This plan is essential for anyone seeking to understand the radical roots of modern feminism and the social construction of gender. It is ideal for students of sociology, gender studies, or readers looking to reclaim their personal autonomy from societal expectations.

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The Edited Woman: Sovereignty & Artistry

This program is essential for women who feel their creative potential is limited by external expectations or internal blocks. It is designed for aspiring and established artists who want to align their personal autonomy with their professional craft.

5 h 40 m•4 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

Unfiltered Presence: The Inde Navarrette Way

This plan is designed for individuals who feel silenced by self-doubt or the fear of judgment. It provides a roadmap for anyone looking to reclaim their voice and build an unshakeable sense of self-worth in professional and personal environments.

1 h 12 m•3 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

Decoding the Unspoken Social Energy

In high-stakes professional and personal environments, the most critical information is often left unsaid. This plan is designed for leaders and collaborators who want to master the subtle art of social intelligence to influence outcomes and build trust.

2 h 48 m•4 Sections

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The Oxford Tutorial: Power and Society

This program bridges the gap between normative political theory and the pragmatic, often brutal reality of governance. It is essential for aspiring leaders, policy analysts, and students of sociology who want to understand the hidden mechanics of influence and social stratification.

1 h 45 m•4 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

Unshakable Presence: From Silence to Social Authority

This plan is designed for professionals who feel sidelined by social anxiety or the fear of being judged. It provides the physiological and tactical tools needed to transition from silence to leadership, making it essential for anyone looking to increase their visibility and influence in the workplace.

2 h 18 m•3 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

The Evolution of the Feminine Principle

This plan provides a critical framework for understanding how the social status of women was systematically reshaped from prehistory to the digital age. It is ideal for students of sociology, history, and media studies seeking to understand the roots of gender inequality.

1 h 45 m•3 Sections

LEARNING PLAN

The Machinery of Power and Resistance

This learning plan is essential for understanding the hidden structures that govern modern society and the mechanisms of political control. It is ideal for activists, political science students, and engaged citizens looking to navigate and challenge systemic inequality.

2 h 10 m•3 Sections

Explore Your Way of Learning

Unscrewed isn't just a book — it's a masterclass in Politics. To help you absorb its lessons in the way that works best for you, we offer five unique learning modes. Whether you're a deep thinker, a fast learner, or a story lover, there's a mode designed to fit your style.

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Experience Unscrewed through vivid storytelling that turns innovation lessons into moments you'll remember and apply.

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Ask anything, choose your learning style, and co-create insights that truly resonate with you.

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"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

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"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

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Unscrewed

Overview of Unscrewed

Summary of Unscrewed

Breaking the Illusion of Sexual Liberation

The Politics of Female Bodies

The Science of Female Desire

Media's Double Standards and Economic Control

Religion, Protection, and Masculinity

Creating Real Change

Key Themes in Unscrewed

Quotes from Unscrewed

Characters in Unscrewed

About the Author

Download Summary of Unscrewed

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FAQs About This Book

What is Unscrewed: Women, Sex, Power, and How to Stop Letting the System Screw Us All about?

Who should read Unscrewed?

Is Unscrewed worth reading?

What is “fauxpowerment” in Unscrewed?

How does Unscrewed address reproductive justice?

What role does religion play in Unscrewed?

How does Jaclyn Friedman view sex education in Unscrewed?

What criticisms does Unscrewed face?

How does Unscrewed relate to Friedman’s previous work?

What solutions does Unscrewed propose?

How does Unscrewed discuss media’s role in gender inequality?

Why is Unscrewed still relevant today?

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Explore Your Way of Learning

Quick Summary Mode

Read or listen to Unscrewed Summary in 9 Minutes

Fun Mode

Unscrewed Lessons Told Through 25-Min Stories

Personalize Mode

Experience Unscrewed in your own learning style

See More Stories?

Summary of Unscrewed

Breaking the Illusion of Sexual Liberation

The Politics of Female Bodies

The Science of Female Desire

Media's Double Standards and Economic Control

Religion, Protection, and Masculinity

Creating Real Change

Users also liked

Discover more