Two circles and an elongated u-shape, maybe even line detail for hair and a sag if you’re more artistic—a universal image for people when they’re left with a whiteboard marker in an unattended classroom. The most popular graffiti image: the penis. Somehow our society has synonymously agreed that we find humor in male genitalia.
Phallic symbols aren’t a modern discovery. For years, people have been using the iconography of a penis. In the artifacts of Pompeii, stone phalluses line the walls. Though tour guides amuse themselves by saying it serves as advertisements to the nearest brothel, this is most likely false. Instead, the phallic symbols are theorized to have been good luck charms, to ward off evil spirits. The reason, proposed by classicist Mary Beard, is a society built on masculinity with an affinity for erotic symbols.
In our current culture, a Reddit chain takes the stance that penis drawings are just for humor, and don’t hold deeper meaning. “It’s just really easy to draw toilet humor. I don’t believe there is anything deep about it”, followed by another user, “It’s just something people do when they’re bored.” With dozens of other users in agreement. Though this could be a perfectly acceptable argument, it still doesn’t answer: why penises?
A story shared on X by a high school AP psych teacher, details her experience teaching a unit on Freud. She was increasingly frustrated by the passive response of penises being ‘just funny’ and decided to take up the conversation in her own classroom. Calmly, she asked the boys of the class why they draw penises on things. The responses were like those of social media platforms: “It’s just funny.” or “You don’t understand.” Which she met with, “Yes, I do not understand, explain it to me. You already know what a penis looks like. Why do you have to draw it on things? Are you marking it? Are you tagging it? Girls don’t draw vaginas on things.” The boy’s answer: “Miss, stop talking about penises, you’re making us uncomfortable.” The teacher met this statement, exclaiming, “How do you think we [women] feel seeing dicks drawn on stuff all the time?”
This is an example of an isolated experience, but it brings up a good point. Penis symbols, once placed above our doorways, are now being challenged, as it’s deeper meaning, a practice of dominance, assuring the symbols of men’s power is widespread and protected by the common excuse of ‘it’s just a joke’.
Psychologist Dr. David Pollens, proposes that drawing phallic symbols is common for people as it is a representation of their anxieties over bodily dissatisfaction. Saying that it can be beneficial, especially for young boys, where drawing penises can give them feelings of ‘mastery’. “They’re worried about how powerful their genitalia can affect and oppress people, so they want to show it off,” Dr. Pollens told BTRToday. His proof comes from looking at art. Drawn penises have slowly increased in size over the years despite statistically a decrease in penis size in societies, suggesting these depictions are not factual for informational purposes, but a cover for insecurity. Drawing dicks, for men, he theorized, is a reclamation of power.
The start of this iconography was to represent the power to ward off evil spirits. The penis is given meaning by a society that celebrates masculinity. It seems our society hasn’t changed significantly, still celebrating masculine traits and symbols. Drawings of male genitalia still hold the same role: a reminder of the main distinction of who holds power in our misogynistic society… cis men.
I’m not suggesting leveling the playing field by drawing vaginas instead, but instead to inquire why we resort to male genitalia when at a loss for artistic imagination. Like all sex and gender expression, it is complicated and multifaceted but makes one thing clear: we live in a society and culture where having a penis gives you more privilege. Goucher as a student body can remove the power from penis iconography. Instead address our unequal celebration of masculine traits and start devaluing the penis.
By Kate Wisneskey, ’28
Sources
Bess, Gabby, et al. “A Psychoanalyst Explains Why Men Draw Dicks on Everything.” VICE, 9 Aug. 2024, www.vice.com/en/article/a-psychoanalyst-explains-why-men-draw-dicks-on-everything/.
Hamlett, Melanie. “Sorry, but Even Dumb Penis Drawings Are about Toxic Masculinity.” Glamour, Glamour, 20 Nov. 2017, www.glamour.com/story/even-penis-drawings-are-about-toxic-masculinity.
R/Askreddit on Reddit: Why Do Guys Draw Penis’ on Everything? [Serious], www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/2f4je2/why_do_guys_draw_penis_on_everything_serious/. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
