Sexualities: Identities, Behaviors, and Society

By Michael S. Kimmel

Book Overview

Featuring a variety of readings, this interdisciplinary anthology addresses such key questions as: How are sexualities socially constructed? Why are sexualities more than just natural "urges" or "drives"? and How are sexualities personal, social, and political?
Sexualities: Identities, Behaviors, and Society focuses on gender, using multiple disciplines, international populations, and theories to explore sexualities. The readings-including several written specifically for this volume-will grab students' attention. Topics range from the motivations of X-rated movie stars to vibrator use to gendered sexual fantasies. Same-sex orientation, people of color, and global populations are considered throughout. Sexualities: Identities, Behaviors, and Society opens with classical and contemporary theories about sexualities, including selections by Freud, Kinsey, and Fausto-Sterling. Subsequent chapters explore the ways in which we learn about sexual activities and develop sexual identities, both heterosexual and same-sex. The discussion expands to include sexual adaptations, sexual media, intersections with violence, and sexual education. The text ends with a key question: How will the next generation be taught about sex?
With its synthesized focus on the psychological, social, ethical, and political dimensions of sexualities, Sexualities: Identities, Behaviors, and Society is ideal for courses in sociology, women's studies, anthropology, family studies, communication, and social work.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195157605
• ISBN13: 9780195157604
• Release Date: February 2004
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Length: 512 Pages
• Weight: 1.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.5" x 1.1" x 9.2"