Gender issues

[Michele Ammons]

It is interesting to follow some of the recent threads and discussions regarding males vs female clients from a masseur and massesuse perspective.

These are some of my thoughts and conclusions - please feel free to challenge!

1. It seems that it is only masseurs (ie men) who will draw up a contract which describes which 'bits' of the body will be included in the massage. (I have never seen or experienced a masseuse showing me a drawing of a male form with boxed superimposed for me to tick where I want (or don't want) to be massaged). Are there any examples of a massesue who does this?

2. With regard to draping, the general tone of the debate seems to be that men (masseurs and clients) prefer less draping than females. Why is this? I'm intereseted to know the feeling of the masseurs out there who massage a female client - and include breast massage (with consent). Based on the fact that the average man thinks about sex every 15 minutes - then you would expect the masseur to maybe just occassionally have a flicker of sexual thought at the least during an hour long massage.

But no I hear them cry! We are professionals! This is our work! Such thoughts would never cross our minds - we are too focused on the massage session. Or maybe just occassionally they do think (nice) sexual thoughts.

3. Are there any masseuse who regularly massage other women's breasts as part of their standard treatment? It seems it is generally masseurs (males) who deem to include this a standard part of their sessions.

What do you think?

 

[yyyyyy]

Starting point - I am female.

I don't draw up the contract with the boxes, but I do specifically ask about any ares that may be of concern - which I find are mainly the abdomen, face and head.

I drape as I have been shown in order to preserve modesty and make the client feel comfortable - but if anyone asks for less draping then I am quite happy to comply. I have only ever had male clients ask for less draping.

I don't offer breast massage - but it has never been included on any massage course that I have attended. It would be something I would be happy to offer if I had the training, but I suspect that therewould not be much of a demand for it locally - I live in a small place and I rather suspect if people heard I did that they would be reluctant to come to me.