This academic exploration of female sexuality is marred by a facile
categorization of feminists. Sexologist McCormick (Psychology/State
Univ. of New York, Plattsburgh; Changing Boundaries: Gender Roles
and Sexual Behavior, not reviewed) simplistically defines feminists
as either "Liberal" or "Radical." She constructs the former as
focused on women's sexual pleasure and the latter as concerned with
protecting girls and women from sexual abuse and exploitation.
Placing her work as outside the typical model of sex research
centered on white, middle-class heterosexual women, McCormick seeks
to widen her readers' conception of female sexuality with her
discussion of seduction, intimacy, lesbians and bisexuals, female
sex-trade workers, pornography, and models of pleasure and
fulfillment. She challenges the popular belief that sex should have
orgasm as its goal, asserting that it denies many women their
sexuality, especially those who are paralyzed or otherwise
disabled. In the context of her research, McCormick encourages us
to move beyond the "dehumanizing [equation of] sexuality with
genital juxtapositions and intercourse" and to view sexuality as "a
whole body and whole mind experience." She is at her strongest in
her explorations of women sex-trade workers, sexual victimization,
and pornography; she advocates the legalization of prostitution and
the creation of erotic material that affirms women's sexuality.
Unfortunately, McCormick has a tendency to idealize women as more
sentimental, affectionate, and desirous of intimacy than men. She
sees female sexuality as almost spiritual, which leads her to make
some extravagant generalizations. She suggests, for instance, that
lesbians value intimacy more than sex, that loving lesbian
relationships work better than gay or straight relationships, and
while she lists the dangers faced by female participants in the
sex-trade industry, she tends to glamorize their agency. A flawed
but sometimes astute analysis of power and sexual relations.
(Kirkus Reviews)
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.
General
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