Sexuality in America: Understanding our Sexual Values and Behavior

(Paperback)

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Description

Now available in a new paperback edition, this survey is different in both breadth and scope from all other reports on sexuality in the United States. It covers every topic imaginable, from a multicultural point of view, in order to reflect fully the complex society in which we live: the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual aspects of our sexual lives.

Reviews

"Members of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality describe virtually every aspect of American sexual behavior and values. The volume contains sections on basic premises, religious and ethnic factors, autoerotic patterns, heterosexual and homosexual behaviors, cross-gendered persons, and unconventional sexual behaviors. Other subjects include contraception and abortion, STDs and AIDS, sexual dysfunctions and therapies, and current developments. A glossary is included."--Booknews
"A best reference source."--Library Journal
"Conceived by prominent sexologist Francoeur as an affordable domestic alternative to the three-volume International Encyclopedia of Sexuality, this book combine the scholarship of 46 experts. With sections on religion, racial and ethnic practices and perspectives, sexual education, 'unconventional' sexual behavior, contraception and abortion, STDs, sexual dysfunctions, and even sex on the Internet--all written by experts in their particular fields--this book would appear to live up to its ambitious goal of creating a 'panoramic mosaic' of American sexuality."--Publishers Weekly
A major strength of the book is that it gives an honest portrayal of the many conceptual and methodological problems facing sex researchers...Another significant contribution of the book is that for every major topic area, the authors demonstrate how conflicting societal values have shaped people's perceptions, government decision-making, and, in some cases, biased research findings....Overall, this work is an outstanding achievement. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wishes to obtain a comprehensive scholarly understanding of sexuality in American society. - Archives of Sexual Behaviour, 2002 -- Edward S. Herold, Ph.D.

Author Bio

Robert T. Francoeur, Ph.D., is a Fellow of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality and Professor Emeritus of Human Sexuality and Embryology, Fairleigh Dickinson University. He is the author or editor of many books, including a study of Pierre Teihard de Chardin, The Scent of Eros, and (as co-editor), The Continuum Complete International Encyclopedia of Sexuality. Patricia Koch, Ph.D., is associate professor of biobehavioral health and health education at Pennsylvania State University. She is the author of Exploring Our Sexuality: An Interactive Text and is a fellow of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sex. David L. Weis. Ph.D., is associate professor of human development and family studies at Bowling Green State University, Ohio. He is associate editor of the Journal of Sex Research.