People don’t see you – men don’t – don’t even admit your existence unless they are making love to you. And you’re got to have your existence admitted by someone, if you’re going to have someone’s protection.
– Tennessee Williams
A Streetcar Named Desire, Scene 5. Blanche, speaking about her sexual adventures, admits that she can only find a sense of self through physical relations with men. She has sex so that she can be seen and have her existence confirmed. She is thus completely dependent on men in order to feel she has a sense of personal identity.