Sexual Salvation: Affirming Women's Sexual Rights and Pleasures

(Hardback)

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Description

The Cold War might be over but the Women's Sex and Culture War continues in full force. Women argue with men and each other. Politically conservative individuals argue among themselves and most of all with feminists. But feminists are far from united: one group argues persuasively that women are men's sexual victims and require additional protection; the opposing feminist group argues just as articulately that women deserve sexual autonomy, not increased restrictions under the guise of protection. "Sexual Salvation", written by Naomi McCormick, a distinguished feminist sex researcher, offers relief from divisive, extremist rhetoric. In her undogmatic, meticulously researched, and beautifully written book, McCormick acknowledges the contributions of all feminists to the affirmation of women's sexual rights and pleasures. Here for the first time is a book about and for all women, not just the white, middle-class, heterosexual, able-bodied women addressed by most popular authors (including many feminists). This is an inclusive and sensitive book that touches upon the sexuality of all women: women of colour, women of all sexual orientations, women of all ages, women who live with disabilities and chronic illness, poor and working class women - as well as women from socially privileged groups. More valuable still, McCormick backs up her ideas with a solid grasp of multidisciplinary scholarship. Scholars and general readers alike will find "Sexual Salvation" remarkable for its seamless integration of sex research and feminist and psychotherapeutic literature; and - most compelling - for its honesty.

Reviews

"A landmark . . . it is comprehensive and open-minded . . . It truly celebrates cultural and sexual diversity. It is remarkably up to date . . . unusually "objective," yet courageously critical of much sex research and therapy."-From the foreword by Dr. Albert Ellis Institute of Rational-Emotive Therapy, New York City
"A tour de force! McCormick skillfully draws on scientific research and feminist analysis to provide a balanced perspective on today's hottest topics."-Prof. Letitia Anne Peplau University of California, Los Angeles
"I cannot overstress the timeliness of this book as we approach a new century accompanied by changing sex roles, sexuality, and increased . . . political and economic liberation for women and minorities."-Prof. Marilyn P. Safir University of Haifa, Israel
"In a period during which some of us become tongue-tied in our attempts to adhere to politically correct statements, McCormick has not written a politically correct book. She has provided a much more important service. She has written a book that displays sensitivity to the diversity of viewpoints surrounding the issues that she has tackled . . . In summary, I think that McCormick has managed to accomplish an extraordinarily difficult task."-Elizabeth Rice Allgeier, Editor The Journal of Sex Research and Professor, Bowling Green State University
"This is a fabulous book! . . . It will be a classic for educators, therapists, and researchers on women's sexuality."-Prof. Esther D. Rothblum Department of Psychology, University of Vermont and Co-Editor, Women and Therapy
.,."McCormick's work makes several important contributions to contemporary discourse on feminism, human sexuality, and women's (sexual) rights. Particularly valuable is her willingness to recognize that there is division within the feminist movement and her ability to present various perspectives in a lively and impassioned, yet remarkably unbiased, manner....The primary value of McCormick's book is as an in-depth introduction to past and present feminist discourse on women's sexuality and to the sexual attitudes and behaviors of marginalized groups of women....The converstional style renders the book delightfully "reader-friendly, .,.""-Psychology of Women Quarterly
...McCormick's work makes several important contributions to contemporary discourse on feminism, human sexuality, and women's (sexual) rights. Particularly valuable is her willingness to recognize that there is division within the feminist movement and her ability to present various perspectives in a lively and impassioned, yet remarkably unbiased, manner....The primary value of McCormick's book is as an in-depth introduction to past and present feminist discourse on women's sexuality and to the sexual attitudes and behaviors of marginalized groups of women....The converstional style renders the book delightfully "reader-friendly, .,."-Psychology of Women Quarterly
Concise, compassionate, and free of jargon and should prove useful in most libraries.-Library Journal
Emphatic and earnest, Sexual Salvation is a well documented wake-up call for anyone in sexology who has yet to examine the importance of feminism....an important contribution to the growing body of work by feminists within sexology. Implicitly and explicitly, Sexual Salvation demonstrates the need for a shift away from the rigidity of traditional sexology, genital focus, and goal orientation, and calls for a re-definition of sexology with a feminist perspective.-The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality
McCormick attempts to reconcile the contrasting views of radical and liberal feminists on the nature of women's sexual experience. A successful attempt to integrate information based on research with more adversarial feminist literature to arrive at a more objective appreciation of women's sexuality. General; upper-division undergraduate; graduate; professional.-Choice
Naomi B. McCormick examines what has become a divisive issue among feminists--sexuality--yet she does it in a manner that is inclusive and affirming of all women's sexual and intimate experiences. I found McCormick's style refreshingly personable and impassioned, yet she clearly owns her views rather than presenting them as truth or creed. I would recommend the book for Women's Studies and Sexuality courses and for readers wanting a feminist perspective of the issues sourrounding sexuality, eith for a class or for personal reading.-Feminist Collections
Naomi McCormick's Sexual Salvation is an accomplished blend of academic, clinical, and personal wisdom.- Journal of Sex Education and Therapy
"Concise, compassionate, and free of jargon and should prove useful in most libraries."-Library Journal
"Emphatic and earnest, Sexual Salvation is a well documented wake-up call for anyone in sexology who has yet to examine the importance of feminism....an important contribution to the growing body of work by feminists within sexology. Implicitly and explicitly, Sexual Salvation demonstrates the need for a shift away from the rigidity of traditional sexology, genital focus, and goal orientation, and calls for a re-definition of sexology with a feminist perspective."-The Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality
"McCormick attempts to reconcile the contrasting views of radical and liberal feminists on the nature of women's sexual experience. A successful attempt to integrate information based on research with more adversarial feminist literature to arrive at a more objective appreciation of women's sexuality. General; upper-division undergraduate; graduate; professional."-Choice
"Naomi B. McCormick examines what has become a divisive issue among feminists--sexuality--yet she does it in a manner that is inclusive and affirming of all women's sexual and intimate experiences. I found McCormick's style refreshingly personable and impassioned, yet she clearly owns her views rather than presenting them as truth or creed. I would recommend the book for Women's Studies and Sexuality courses and for readers wanting a feminist perspective of the issues sourrounding sexuality, eith for a class or for personal reading."-Feminist Collections
"Naomi McCormick's Sexual Salvation is an accomplished blend of academic, clinical, and personal wisdom."- Journal of Sex Education and Therapy
..."McCormick's work makes several important contributions to contemporary discourse on feminism, human sexuality, and women's (sexual) rights. Particularly valuable is her willingness to recognize that there is division within the feminist movement and her ability to present various perspectives in a lively and impassioned, yet remarkably unbiased, manner....The primary value of McCormick's book is as an in-depth introduction to past and present feminist discourse on women's sexuality and to the sexual attitudes and behaviors of marginalized groups of women....The converstional style renders the book delightfully "reader-friendly, ...""-Psychology of Women Quarterly

Author Bio

NAOMI B. McCORMICK, named a Distinguished Teaching Professor in the Department of Psychology at the State University of New York at Plattsburgh, now teaches Family Studies, Women's Studies, and Psychology at the University of Northern Iowa. A Fellow in Rational-Emotive Therapy, she is also a practicing clinical psychologist who specializes in feminist psychotherapy. Dr. McCormick is the 25th president and a fellow of The Society for the Scientific Study of Sex, and has been admitted to the International Academy of Sex Research. She is an associate editor of The Journal of Sex Research, consulting editor of Women & Therapy, and The Journal of Psychology & Human Sexuality, and is the editor and co-author of Exploring Choices: Psychology of Adjustment (1989), Changing Boundaries: Gender Roles and Sexual Behavior (1983), as well as over 50 journal articles and book chapters.