Erotic Attunement: Parenthood and the Ethics of Sensuality between Unequals

by Cristina L.H. Traina

Heightened awareness of the problem of sexual abuse has led to deep anxiety over adults touching children—in nearly any context. Though our society has moved toward increasingly strict enforcement of this taboo, studies have shown that young children need regular human contact, and the benefits of breastfeeding have been widely extolled. Exploring the complicated history of love, desire, gender, sexuality, parenthood, and inequality, Erotic Attunement probes the disquieting issue of how we can draw a clear line between natural affection toward children and perverse exploitation of them.

Cristina L. H. Traina demonstrates that we cannot determine what is wrong about sexual abuse without first understanding what is good about appropriate sensual affection. Pondering topics such as the importance of touch in nurturing children, the psychology of abuse and victimhood, and recent ideologies of motherhood, she argues that we must expand our philosophical and theological language of physical love and make a distinction between sexual love and erotic love. Taking on theological and ethical arguments over the question of sexuality between unequals, she arrives at the provocative conclusion that it can be destructive to completely bar eroticism from these relationships.

363 pages, Hardcover

First published June 15, 2011

About the author

Cristina L.H. Traina, Ph.D. (Theology, University of Chicago Divinity School, 1992; Religion, U.C.D.S, 1984; A.B., Religion, Princeton University, 1983), is Professor and Chair of Religious Studies at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. She is a long-time member of the St. Nicholas Gay and Lesbian Family and Friends ministry in Evanston, and is a member of the Editorial Board of Theological Studies.

Reviews

[Radiolab]

Radiolab asked listeners for their sex ed recommendations. 

Aimee, a Radiolab listener, says, "It identifies both the presence and goodness of sensuality in non-sexual relationships. It also acknowledges how this sensuality can be exploited. The example used is breastfeeding, which can be important for baby and mom and physically sensual for mom. But the sensuality of the relationship can be perverted toward sexuality and abuse if mom is not attuned to the needs of the baby and her own desires for sensuality."