of others. Given the double standard, the high school girl who has
a desire for sexual experience every bit as strong as a sexually pre-
occupied young man, must weigh the consequences. A bad reputa-
tion, tarnished self-esteem, and a negative self-image may result if
she acts on her urges. And “good girls” may avoid her, while young
men with sex on their minds may flock around but not consider her
“good enough” to be a steady, or a date for the prom.
There are other problems with an uncontrolled Aphrodite arche-
type, too. An unwanted pregnancy is one possibility. And an active
Aphrodite risks exposure to sexually transmitted diseases. Another
medical complication is a higher risk of cervical cancer later in life.
Young women are given little help with how to handle the insistent
Aphrodite within. Sexual expression is a major choice with serious
consequences. Some suppress their sexuality, although those who
feel strong religious constraints may feel guilty anyway, blaming
themselves for having “unacceptable” feelings. Others express
sexuality within a steady relationship, a choice that works well if
Hera is also a strong part of the personality, although an early mar-
riage may be the result.
If Athena and Aphrodite are both strong elements in a young
woman, she may use a combination of strategy and sexuality that
is self-protective. One such women said, “Once I knew that I fell in
and out of love easily, and had a strong sex drive to go along with
it, I didn’t take falling in love too seriously. What I did take seriously
was birth control, who the guy was, and keeping this part of my life
private.”
When an Aphrodite women goes to college, social aspects will
probably be the most important for her. She may choose a “party
school”—a college noted more for social activities than academic
studies.
She is not usually focused on long-range academic goals or on a
career. Her budding interest in a professional career wanes at the
prospect of taking difficult prerequisites that do not interest her. She
is capable of plunging into college work only if she becomes fascin-
ated with a subject—most often in a creative field involving interac-
tions with people. She might be a drama major, for example, who
goes from one role to another. Each time, she immerses herself in
her role, tapping her own
Goddesses in Everywoman