World-renowned yoga master Amrit Desai melds ancient wisdom with modern practicality as he offers piercing insight into the nature of relationships as a road map to fulfillment. The appendix includes outline of the basic life-observances of yoga, guidelines for day-to-day living, and meditations on healing relationships.Yogi Amrit Desai is recognized as one of the pioneers of the authentic teachings of yoga in the West. Today he oversees the Amrit Yoga Institute in Salt Springs, Florida, with its many affiliate branches and teachers in North America and Europe. He travels extensively giving talks and workshops.

Considered a classic in its field, this comprehensive guide will help survivors of sexual abuse improve their relationships and discover the joys of sexual intimacy. Wendy Maltz takes survivors step-by-step through the recovery process using groundbreaking exercises and techniques. Based on the author's clinical work, interviews, survey results, and workshops, this book is filled with first-person accounts of women and men at every stage of sexual healing. This compassionate resource helps survivors to: identify the sexual effects of sexual abuse; create a positive meaning for sex and develop a healthy sexual self-concept; gain control over upsetting automatic reactions to touch and sex; stop negative sexual behaviors and resolve specific sexual problems; establish or improve intimate relationship; and, discover the joys of sexual intimacy.

To love and be loved is arguably one of the most powerful and fundamental driving forces sustaining self-esteem and self-identity throughout the life course. Need for reciprocal loving does not change as we grow older, despite failures of health, loss of a partner, late divorce, and alterations of personality due to the aging process. However, most studies of human sexuality have ignored the problems and developing patterns of older adults entering into new partnerships. To fill this gap, "Intimacy in Later Life" brings together a wide range of distinguished international scholars to address this neglected research area. This volume explores how older people today think and behave in relation to partner change. Contributors consider the choices and constraints that influence decisions about new romantic relationships after divorce or the death of a spouse, along with how these differ with respect to age, gender, and culture. The authors discuss the considerable social variety to be found between "permissive" and morally conservative societies and cultural milieux, as well as how standards of sexual behavior have changed over time. Contributions include: Kate Davidson and Graham Fennell, "New Intimate Relationships in Later Life," Sofie Ghazanfareeon Karlsson and Klas Borell, "Intimacy and Autonomy, Gender and Ageing: Living Apart Together," Deborah Carr and Rebecca Utz, "Late-Life Widowhood in the United States: New Directions in Research and Theory," Nan Stevens, "Re-Engaging: New Partnerships in Late-Life Widowhood," Kate Davidson, "Gender Differences in New Partnership Choices and Constraints for Older Widows and Widowers," Jenny De Jong Gierveld, "The Dilemma of Repartnering: Considerations of Older Men and Women Entering New Intimate Relationships in Later Life," Deborah K. Van Den Hoonaard, "Attitudes of Older Widows and Widowers in New Brunswick, Canada Towards New Partnerships," Aldine J. Moore and Dorothy C. Stratton, "The 'Current Woman' in an Older Widower's Life," and Kalyani K. Mehta, "Perceptions of Remarriage by Widowed People in Singapore."

This book explores the fascinating world of sex and gender roles in the classical period. It provides readers with essays that represent a range of perspectives on women, gender and sexuality in the ancient world. They are accessible to general readers whilst also challenging them to confront problems of evidence and interpretation, new theories and methodologies, and contemporary assumptions about gender and sexuality.

The essays cover a broad spectrum of scholarly perspectives, and trace the debates and themes of the field from the late 1960s to the late 1990s. They also address a range of literary and non-literary genres, including some non-canonical sources such as medical writings and inscriptions, to elucidate ancient ideas about sexuality and the discourses that shaped these ideas. The book also provides translations of primary sources to enable readers to confront the evidence for themselves and assess the methodology used by historians. It includes Greek literature and society, Roman culture and the legacy of classical myth for modern feminist scholars. It includes and examines not only women in antiquity but also masculinity and sexuality to provide a comprehensive account of this fascinating topic.

Sex and Eroticism in Mesopotamian Literature allows a glimpse of a world with a sexual culture and erotic values very different from our own, through exploration of the earliest preserved written evidence on the subject - the Sumero-Akkadian cuneiform sources of the 21st to 5th centuries BC.
Drawing on sophisticated and astonishing literary texts - courtly love poems and bridal songs, myths, narratives and incantations - Gwendolyn Leick uncovers a fascinating range of perspectives on the subject of passion and pleasure. The reader is treated to eloquent and freely-expressed views on topics from prostitution, love magic and deviant sexual practice to gender, fertility and potency.
This revealing and candid volume celebrates a wealth of erotic material from one of the world's earliest literate civilisations, and encompasses archaeological, religious, historical, anthropological and gender-based themes and approaches. It will be of interest to students and teachers in all these disciplines.

eBook available with sample pages: 0203462750

Berlin, city of Bertolt Brecht, Marlene Dietrich, cabaret and German Expressionism, a city identified with a female sexuality - at first alluring but then dangerous. In this fascinating study, Dorothy Rowe turns our attention to Berlin as a sexual landscape. She investigates the processes by which women and femininity played a prominent role in depictions of the city at the end of the nineteenth and into the early twentieth centuries. She explores how in the aftermath of the horrors of World War I, increasing anxieties about the liberation of women and the supposed increase of female prostitution contributed to the demonization of the city not as a focus of desire and pleasure but rather as one of alienation and anxiety.

As society shapes the expression of sexual desire through cultural images and social institutions, sociologists examine how sexual behavior shapes, and is shaped by, social norms. Several of the most eminent and readable social theorists drive this important new line of sociological thought. Gathered here are thirty-two of the best essays on the sociology of sex and gender.

The essays included here reflect differences in race, gender, and class and demonstrate how different social groups experience different sets of social norms. Topics include gender and sex theory, identity, childhood and adolescent sexuality, the objectification of women, sexuality and religion, leisure and recreation, politics and social change, and the possible future of sexual relationships. These essays also explore contemporary issues that remain relevant to students and to current theoretical debates. Editorial introductions give further direction and insight, making this an ideal introduction to sex and gender.

Everyone enjoys a good joke - and here's a whole collection of quick and witty one-liners on the subject of what the female of the species thinks about the male. And believe me, she can be deadly when she wants to! On sex, cars, sport, relationships and communication and on the remote control, the women have the men pretty well sized up. (And you may even find the answer to whether size really is important.) It is for women who like the simple things in life - like men!

The first edition of Sexual Conduct, published in 1973, swiftly became a landmark text in the sociology of sexuality. It went on to profoundly shape the ideas of several generations of scholars and has become the foundation text of what is now known as the "social constructionist" approach to sexuality. The present edition, revised, updated, and containing new introductory and concluding materials, introduces a classic text to a new generation of students and professionals.

Traditional views of human sexuality posit models of man and woman in which biological arrangements are translated into sociocultural imperatives. This is best summarized in the phrase "anatomy is destiny." Consequently, the almost exclusive concern has been with the power of biology and nature in sexual conduct as opposed to understanding the significance and impact of social life. In Sexual Conduct, Gagnon and Simon lucidly argue that sexual activities, of all kinds, may be understood as the outcome of a complex psychosocial process of development. Using the social script theory, the authors trace the ways in which sexuality is learned and fitted into particular moments in the lifecycle and in different modes of behavior.

Sexual Conduct is a major attempt to consider sexuality within a non-biological, social psychological framework. It is a valuable addition to the study of human sexuality, and will be of interest to students of sociology, psychology, psychiatry, social work, and medicine.

Perceptions about gender and sexuality have played a prominent role in shaping the lives of men and women in every known culture and in every period of history. To study these topics is to dive into the underlying religious, social, philosophical and scientific influences in society, through which the differing roles of men and women are also defined. Understanding their meaning specifically during the Middle Ages requires an examination of the ideas, laws and institutions of the time. For example, looking back at the Christian church's own regulations, examining the ways in which the medieval medical community described anatomy, exploring how chroniclers recorded events of the time and analyzing the social criticism found in medieval literature all help to depict medieval society's conceptualization of sexuality and gender. This reader brings such documents from throughout the medieval world into one collection. Representing a diverse range of ethnic, geographic and religious backgrounds, documents of the late Roman, Germanic, Anglo-Norman, Mediterranean, Byzantine, Slavic, Jewish and Islamic identities are all included. Here, the sources used are also derived from various fields - religious foundations, Christian thought, law, chronicles, literature, biology, medicine and science, witchcraft and heresy, Judaism and Islam - and the book's chapters are organized according to these nine areas allowing for comparative examination of different societies and periods of the Middle Ages.

From advertising to health education campaigns, sex and sexual imagery now permeate every aspect of culture. Striptease Culture explores the 'sexualization' of contemporary life, relating it to wider changes in post-war society. Divided into three sections, Striptease Culture first traces the development of pornography, following its movement from elite to mass culture and the contemporary fascination with 'porno-chic'. In part two McNair considers popular cultural forms of sexual representation in the media. Moving from backlash elements in straight male culture and changing images of women to the representation of gays in contemporary film and television shows such as Ellen or Queer as Folk, McNair argues that the high profile of sexuality in contemporary culture, rather than evidence of moral decline, is a positive expression of post-war liberalism and the advance of feminism and gay rights, as well as a key contributor to public health education in the era of HIV and AIDS.
In part three, McNair turns to the uses of sexuality in contemporary art, examining the artistic 'striptease' of Jeff Koons and others, who have used their own naked bodies in their work. McNair also considers how feminist and gay artists have employed sexuality in the critique and transformation of patriarchy. In a concluding chapter, McNair considers the implications of the rise of striptease culture for the future of sexual politics.

This groundbreaking book is the first of its kind to thoroughly explore the topic of cybersex and the effects of Internet use on sexuality. Focusing on treatment and assessment issues and the clinical implications of cybersex, this authoritative volume provides mental health professionals with an analysis of the most recent empirical evidence along with research specific to the impact of Internet use on couples and families, gay men, people with disabilities, children and the workplace. Edited by one of the leading researchers, clinicians, and authors in the emerging field of sex and the Internet, this book addresses the growing complexity of Internet sex issues and their impact on psychological functioning.

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In recent years, first feminist considerations, and now concerns with HIV/Aids have led to new approaches to the study of sexuality. The experience of puberty, explorations with sexuality and courtship, and the pressure to reproduce are a few of the human tensions central to this volume.

Human sexuality researchers often find themselves faced with questions that entail conceptual, methodological, or ethical issues for which their professional training or prior experience may not have prepared them. The goal of this handbook is to provide that guidance to students and professionals interested in the empirical study of human sexuality from behavioral and social scientific perspectives. It provides practical and concrete advice about conducting human sexuality research and addresses issues inherent to both general social scientific and specific human sexuality research.
This comprehensive resource offers a unique multidisciplinary examination of the specific methodological issues inherent in conducting human sexuality research. The methodological techniques and advances that are familiar to researchers trained in one discipline are often unfamiliar to researchers from other disciplines. This book is intended to help enrich the communication between the various disciplines involved in human sexuality research. Each of the 21 self-standing chapters provides an expert overview of a particular area of research methodology from a variety of academic disciplines. It addresses those issues unique to human sexuality research, such as:
* how to measure sexuality variables;
* how to design studies, recruit participants, and collect data;
* how to consider cultural and ethical issues; and
* how to perform and interpret statistical analyses.
This book is intended as a reference tool for researchers and students interested in human sexuality from a variety of disciplines, including psychology, sociology, family science, health communication, nursing, medicine, and anthropology.

Sexual conflict permeates ancient religions, from injunctions about thy neighbor's wife to the sexual obligations of marriage. It is etched in written laws that dictate who can and cannot have sex with whom. Its manifestations shape our sexual morality, evoking approving accolades or contemptuous condemnation. It produces sexual double standards that flourish even in the most sexually egalitarian cultures on earth. And although every person alive struggles with sexual conflict, most of us see only the tip of the iceberg: dating deception, a politician's unsavory grab, the slow crumbling of a once-happy marriage, a romantic breakup that turns nasty. Bad Men shows that this "battle of the sexes" is deeper and far more pervasive than anyone has recognized, revealing the hidden roots of sexual conflict -- roots that originated over deep evolutionary time -- which characterise our sexual psychology. Providing novel insights into our minds and behaviours, Bad Men presents a unifying new theory of sexual conflict and offers practical advice for men and women seeking to avoid it.

First published in 2001. This volume is based on the author's visit to Japan in Summer 1986 on his findings about some of the questions he was asked whilst there. He was 25 and these questions centred around asking if he was married or had a girlfriend, when in his homeland of the Netherlands he openly identified as gay. This research is an investigation of how gay and lesbian people, women's and men's liberationaists, singles and other people, such as transsexuals, transvestites and hermaphrodites, whose ideas, feelings or lifestyles are at variance with Japanese constructions of marriage and inherently the construction of life, live in Japan.

Explore the theoretical, political, psychological, and cultural issues surrounding male bisexuality Bisexuality in the Lives of Men is the first anthology to focus on men who love both men and women. The theoretical, scientific, and literary essays in this landmark volume dispel the fictions that bisexual men are greedy, promiscuous, confused, deceptive, unfaithful, HIV-positive--the dominant images of bisexual men in our culture. Whether portrayed as a coward who can't quite come out into full gayness or a smooth-talking serial killer, the bisexual man has been vilified in books and movies. In scholarly studies, they are often ignored or else lumped together with gay men. It is now widely acknowledged that human sexuality is more complex and diverse than the narrow categories "gay" and "straight." But, while the use of the term "bisexual" has become much more common in the last decade, an understanding of bisexuality itself lags far behind. A lack of research on how bisexuality is experienced, interpreted, and encoded in literature, film, and other aspects of popular culture means that stereotypes, stigma, and confusion are still prevalent. Bisexuality in the Lives of Men is a multidisciplinary examination of this neglected topic, bringing together expertise reflecting divergent approaches and fields to show the whole bisexual man. Topics include: a thoughtful review and analysis of the public health research on the role of bisexual men in HIV transmission a study of the marital consequences of a husband's bisexuality, including couples who have stayed together an analysis of the heartfelt discussions taking place in an online bi-male community an empirical study of the ways that bi-negativity differs from homophobia an essay bringing together queer theory and social constructionist ideas to explain why bisexual men are much less visible than bisexual womenThe rigorously analytical yet accessible essays in this volume offer new information and perspectives about male bisexuality. Bisexuality in the Lives of Men is an essential resource for anyone interested in the theoretical, political, and cultural issues of male bisexuality.

Dangerous Sexualities investigates how our ideas of health and disease are linked to moral and immoral notions of sex. Beginning in the 1830s, Frank Mort relates his social historical narratives to the sexual choices and possibilities facing us now.
The long-awaited second edition of this work takes on board modern scholarship in particular applying the methods and techniques of cultural history and the increasingly important formations of race and ethnicity in this field. Consequently issues of eugenics, race hygiene and social imperialism in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries are covered. With a new and extended bibliography, introduction and illustrations, this second edition brings this classic into the nineties.

Investigates how our ideas of health and disease are linked to moral and immoral notions of sex. Beginning in the 1830s Frank Mort relates historical narratives to the sexual choices and possibilities facing us now.

Whether it's a passionate quickie or an orgasmic marathon, few things can equal the intense pleasure of love and sex. Now, with Chinese Sexual Astrology, you and your partner can learn how to fuse your spiritual, mental and physical energies to achieve complete satisfaction. Similar to the ancient Chinese ?pillow books, ? which were popular wedding gifts for couples, this book contains everything from astrological compatibility charts to ancient advice for igniting passion.

Feminist Theatre Practice: A Handbook is a helpful, practical guide to theatre-making which explores the different ways of representing gender. Best-selling author, Elaine Aston, takes the reader through the various stages of making feminist theatre - from warming up, through workshopped exploration, to performance - this volume is organised into three clear and instructive parts:
* Women in the Workshop
* Dramatic Texts, Feminist Contexts
* Gender and Devising Projects.
Orientated around the classroom/workshop, Handbook of Feminist Theatre Practice encompasses the main elements of feminist theatre, both practical or theoretical.

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The world's best known sex therapist joins her unique brand of advice with the expertise of a highly regarded obstetrician/gynaecologist. Drs. Westheimer and Grunebaum offer suggestions on how to make conception fun and stress-free, and advice on maintaining a good emotional and sexual relationship throughout the pregnancy. They cover:
*issues such as pre-conception health tips for both parents
*sexual positions for optimal comfort in each trimester
*problem pregnancies
*creating a birth plan
*and choosing a hospital.
Reassuring, honest and forthright, Dr. Ruth's Pregnancy Guide for Couples will help new families adjust to the enormous changes a new baby can bring, and allow parents the chance to enjoy each other, as well as their children, for years to come.

Feminist Theatre Practice: A Handbook is a helpful, practical guide to theatre-making which explores the different ways of representing gender. Best-selling author, Elaine Aston, takes the reader through the various stages of making feminist theatre- from warming up, through workshopped exploration, to performance - this volume is organised into three clear and instructive parts:
* Women in the Workshop
* Dramatic Texts, Feminist Contexts
* Gender and Devising Projects.
Orientated around the classroom/workshop, Handbook of Feminist Theatre Practice encompasses the main elements of feminist theatre, both practical or theoretical.