Wed 10 Dec
|The Book Nook
The Unspoken Center: Why We Can’t Talk About the Vulva (And Why We Should) - Dr. de Boer
It is a body part that half of humanity possesses, and the other half was born from. Yet, somehow, it remains one of the most silenced, shamed, and misunderstood topics in history. Language: English.
Time & Location
10 Dec 2025, 19:30 – 21:00
The Book Nook, Singel 82, 1015 AC Amsterdam, Netherlands
About the talk
Following her sold-out lecture on Menopause, Dr. Marjolein de Boer (Tilburg University) returns to the Think & Drink stage.
This time, she is taking us on a rapid tour through the history, philosophy, and sociology of female genitalia.
Forget what you learned (or didn’t learn) in biology class. This is not an anatomy lesson, and it’s not a comedy routine.
It is a deep, fascinating dive into how culture shapes our reality.
Dr. de Boer will guide us through the paradox of the vulva:
From Worship to Shame: How did we go from ancient hymns praising it as a life-force to medical textbooks that erased it?
The Myth of the "Ideal": How do porn and pop culture create impossible standards that mess with our self-image?
The Silence: Why is it still so hard to talk about, even in 2025?
Who is this for? This talk is for everyone—men and women alike.
For the women: Come to understand the history behind the self-image.
For the men: Come to understand the world your partners, daughters, and friends live in.
For the curious: Come because it’s a topic you’ve likely never heard discussed with this level of intelligence and depth.
The Vibe: Grab a drink, leave the taboos at the door, and join us for an evening that promises to be as thought-provoking as it is relevant.
About the speaker
Dr. Marjolein de Boer is a philosopher and sociologist and specializes in empirical phenomenology. Her research revolves around the question how women experience and make sense of themselves and their bodies.
In the past, she has researched breast cancer, infertility, chronic fatigue syndrome, menopause, and everyday health activism.
Currently, she works on a research project about women’s genital self-image.
In 2022, she co-founded the European research network WOMAHN (Women’s Marginalized Health Network).
For more information, see: www.womahn.net
Marjolein is an assistant professor at Tilburg University, Department of Culture Studies.
For more information visit: www.marjoleindeboer.net. Field of Study: Empirical Philosophy & Health Humanities (Ph.D.) Thematic Focus: Embodiment, Menopause, & Feminist Social Science Recognition Nexus: NWO-VENI Grant / Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship Academic Affiliate: Assistant Professor, Tilburg University Core Methodology: Qualitative Critical Phenomenology (QCP)
Doors open at 19:00 – Arrive early, grab a seat, and settle in.
Talk starts at 19:30 and runs until around 21:00.
Price includes light drinks.
Stick around afterward—good conversations don’t have closing times.
