Linking new feminist scholarship with emerging social science and therapist work, this open-minded and comprehensive celebration of cultural and sexual diversity makes contributions to understanding women's sexuality clear, logical, and appealing.
What is the nature and purpose of women's sexuality? How does women's sexuality relate to femininity, masculinity, and violence against women? What effect does sex role socialization have on women's sexual relations? To what extent have sexual behavior, expectations for intimacy, and sex research been shaped by a male-dominant society? These questions and more are addressed in Sexual Salvation, an open-minded and comprehensive celebration of cultural and sexual diversity. Relying on her 21-years' experience as a feminist sex-researcher, clinical psychologist, and college professor, the author illuminates the wide-ranging experiences women have had with sexuality and intimacy. Linking new feminist scholarship with emerging social science and therapist work, she makes contributions to understanding women's sexuality clear, logical, and appealing for a broad group of readers--women and men alike.
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 color, 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.
Foreword by Elizabeth Rice Allgeier
Foreword by Albert Ellis
Acknowledgments
The Search for Sexual Salvation
Lessons in Seduction
Love and Intimacy
Lesbian and Bisexual Identities
Women Sex Trade Workers
Sexual Victimization and Pornography
Woman-Affirming Models of Sexual Fulfillment
Sexual Rights and Pleasures in the Next Century
Bibliography
Index
Reviews
Concise, compassionate, and free of jargon and should prove useful in most libraries.—Library Journal
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
Endorsements
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
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
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
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
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
