The Cultural Context Of Sexual Pleasure And Problems

Using rich case material and research presented by distinguished authorities in the fields of sex, couple, family, and psychotherapy, this edited book contributes to our efforts to help individuals and couples increase their sexual satisfaction. The authors explore social and cultural backgrounds, the meaning of sexual problems in specific cultural contexts, and the way in which culture presents challenges to traditional psychotherapy. More importantly, they answer the question: should therapists accept any and all behaviors, values, and attitudes that are considered normal, even if they violate the therapist’s own cultural standards? The case studies identify challenging cultural issues and provide clinicians with culturally sensitive treatment options. The book’s sections also separate chapters based on the degree to which psychological treatments are recognized and utilized for dealing with sexual problems in different countries, making it an ideal reference for professionals and students. The concluding chapter looks at culture through the lens of the provider, rather than the patient, and ties together the major themes and questions posed.

Using case material presented by distinguished authorities in the fields of psychotherapy, sex therapy, couples therapy and family therapy, this edited book addresses issues in sexuality that are often raised in psychotherapy (individual, marital and family therapy) across diverse cultures.

Sex and Pleasure in Western Culture provides the first comprehensive overview of desire and pleasure in western sexual culture. It argues that both have always been seen as socially disruptive and morally dangerous and offers an entertaining account of the methods by which these attributes of sex were managed across the centuries from Classical Antiquity to the present day. The book develops the hypothesis that, while expressed in very different social contexts, sexual pleasure has evoked very similar anxieties. The text draws on historical, cultural, sociological and contemporary sources and is easily accessible for both the general reader and students of gender and sexual culture. In addition to telling a story of its own, Sex and Pleasure in Western Culture examines lesser-known aspects of sexual history that invite further exploration by the interested reader. These range from sexual aestheticism in the 4th century AD and the sexual meaning of medieval church gargoyles, through to sexual training in the 1950s and 21st century sex holidays. The book will provide a compelling read for both students of sexuality and lay readers who find the complexities of human sexuality a source of fascination.

In this multidisciplinary study of human sexuality, an international team of scholars looks at the influences of nature and nurture, biology and culture, and sex and gender in the sexual experiences of humans and other primates. Using as its center the idea that sexual pleasure is the primary motivational force behind human sexuality and that reproduction is simply a byproduct of the pleasurability of sex, this book examines sexuality at the individual, societal, and cultural levels. Beginning with a look at the evolution of sexuality in humans and other primates, the essays in the first section examine the sexual ingenuity of primates, the dominant theories of sexual behavior, the differences in male and female sexual interest and behavior, and the role of physical attractiveness in mate selection. The focus then shifts to biological approaches to sexuality, especially the genetic and hormonal origins of sexual orientation, gender, and pleasure. The essays go on to look at the role of pleasure in different cultures. Included are essays on love among the tribespeople of the Brazilian rain forest and the regulation of adolescent sexuality in India. Finally, several contributors look at the methodological issues in the study of human sexuality, paying particular attention to the problems with research that relies on people's memories of their sexual experiences. The contributors are Angela Pattatucci, Dean Hamer, David Greenberg, Frans de Waal, Mary McDonald Pavelka, Kim Wallen, Donald Symons, Heino Meyer-Bahlburg, Jean D. Wilson, Donald Tuzin, Lawrence Cohen, Thomas Gregor, Lenore Manderson, Robert C. Bailey, Alice Schlegel, Edward H. Kaplan, Richard Berk, Paul R. Abramson, Paul Okami, and Stephen D. Pinkerton. Spanning the chasm of the nature versus nurture debate, Sexual Nature/Sexual Culture is a look at human sexuality as a complex interaction of genetic potentials and cultural influences. This book will be of interest to a wide range of readers—from scholars and students in psychology, anthropology, sociology, and history to clinicians, researchers, and others seeking to understand the many dimensions of sexuality. "If we ever expect to solve the sexually based problems that modern societies face, we must encourage investigations of human sexual behavior. Moreover, those investigations should employ a broad range of disciplines—looking at sex from all angles, which is precisely what Sexual Nature, Sexual Culture does."—Mike May, American Scientist "...This timely and relevant book reminds us that we cannot rely on simple solutions to complex problems. It represents a transdiciplinary approach integrating knowledge from diverse fields and provides the reader with a challenging and rewarding experience. Especially for those who are involved in teaching human sexuality to medical students and other health care professionals, this book is highly recommended."—Gerald Wiviortt, M.D., Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease "In short, this volume contains much to stimulate, inform, and amuse, in varying proportions. What more can one ask?"—Pierre L. van den Berghe, Journal of the History of Sexuality "...the book succeeds in bring together some of the sharpest thinkers in the field of human sexuality, and goes a long way toward clarifying the diverse perspectives that currently exist."—David M. Buss and Todd K. Shackelford, Quarterly Review of Biology

This book provides a comprehensive, state-of-the art review of the intersection of male and female reproductive and sexual health. The text comprehensively discusses the evaluation and management of physical, genetic, and psychological causes of male and female sexual dysfunction. Discussion of treatment focuses on current medical and surgical psychosexual therapies in both the male and female. The book highlights erectile, ejaculatory, and orgasmic disorders in the male; desire, arousal and orgasmic disorders in the female; and an integrated approach to the couple. Lifestyle modifications through diet and exercise and optimization of anthropomorphic characteristics are also discussed, including a holistic approach to these disorders that goes beyond a focus on the genital system alone. Sexual Dysfunction in Men and Women: An Interdisciplinary Approach serves as a resource for physicians and researchers interested in sexual medicine seeking a comprehensive overview of the practice and novel research in the field.

This book has been replaced by Principles and Practice of Sex Therapy, Sixth Edition, ISBN 978-1-4625-4339-7.

VOLUME 1 Psychological Foundations CONTENTS: Sexual health: Definitions and construct development; Health benefits of sexual expression; Love and sexual health; Evolution and the adaptive significance of asexual, sexual, and erotic touch; Touch as the primary element of sensual and erotic expression; Facilitating positive sexual communication; Childhood sexuality; Magical age of 10; Gender identity: From dualism to diversity; Orientations: GLBTQ; Sexuality: Young and middle adulthood; Sexuality at midlife and beyond; The direct and indirect impact of childhood abuse and neglect on sexuality; Mental health, mental illness, and sexuality. VOLUME 2 Physical foundations CONTENTS Systems that contribute to sexual response and expression; Role of the brain and nervous system; Hormones and female sexuality; Hormones involved in male sexual function; Circulatory system; Sexual anatomy and physiology: An overview; Pregnancy and sexuality; Menopause and sexuality; Sexual changes in the aging male; Effects of drug and alcohol abuse on sexual function; Sexual pain disorders; Meeting the challenge: Providing comprehensive sexuality services to people with intellectual disabilities; Neurological impairment of sexuality in men and women; Chronic conditions and disability. VOLUME 3 Moral and cultural foundations CONTENTS: Public health perspectives in sexual health; Classical Jewish perspectives on sex; Catholic culture and sexual health; Sexual value systems and sexual health; Sex in America: From below the Victorian belt to the start of modern dating; Cultural perspectives on orgasm embedded in medicine, science, philosophy, and literature; Cultural influences on African American sexuality: The role of multiple identities on kinship, power, and ideology; Native American culture and sex; Contrasts and contradictions: a brief look at the construction of sexuality in Mexico; Eros in the Dragon empire: the open door to sex in China: Sex and sexual dysfunction in the Middle Eastern Culture; Female genital cutting: Understanding the tradition; Sexual identities of gay men and lesbians: Cultural foundations and controversies; Sex sells: Business, politics, and the U.S. Media; Adolescent sexuality viewed through two different cultural lenses; Importance of broad-based human sexuality education as the context for sexual health instruction. VOLUME 4 State-of-the-art treatments and research CONTENTS: Sexual problems and dysfunctions in men; psychological and relationship aspects of male sexuality; Pharmacological treatment of male erectile dysfunction; Devices used for the treatment of sexual dysfunctions in men; Womens sexual problems and concerns; Therapy update for women: The treatment of low libido in women using an integrated biopsychosocial approach; Spiritual dimensions of sexual health: Broadening clinical perspectives of womens desire; Gender variability: Transsexuals, crossdressers, and others; Physical therapy and sexual health; Understanding family planning, birth control, and contraception; Sexually transmitted infections; Sexual rehabilitation after cancer; Access to pleasure: On-ramp to specific information on disability, illness and changes throughout the life span; Iatrogenic causes of female sexual disorders;

This pioneering collection explores the ways in which positive, pleasure-focused approaches to sexuality can empower women. Gender and development has tended to engage with sexuality only in relation to violence and ill-health. Although this has been hugely important in challenging violence against women, over-emphasizing these negative aspects has dovetailed with conservative ideologies that associate women's sexualities with danger and fear. On the other hand, the media, the pharmaceutical industry, and pornography more broadly celebrate the pleasures of sex in ways that can be just as oppressive, often implying that only certain types of people - young, heterosexual, able-bodied, HIV-negative - are eligible for sexual pleasure. Women, Sexuality and the Political Power of Pleasure brings together challenges to these strictures and exclusions from both the South and North of the globe, with examples of activism, advocacy and programming which use pleasure as an entry point. It shows how positive approaches to pleasure and sexuality can enhance equality and empowerment for all.