Sexualities: Identities, Behaviors, and Society

by Michael S. Kimmel (Editor), Rebecca F. Plante (Editor)

Featuring a variety of readings, this interdisciplinary anthology addresses such key questions How are sexualities socially constructed? Why are sexualities more than just natural "urges" or "drives"? and How are sexualities personal, social, and political?
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. 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 How will the next generation be taught about sex?
With its synthesized focus on the psychological, social, ethical, and political dimensions of sexualities, Identities, Behaviors, and Society is ideal for courses in sociology, women's studies, anthropology, family studies, communication, and social work.

Genres: Sexuality

512 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Michael Scott Kimmel is an American sociologist, specializing in gender studies. He is among the leading researchers and writers on men and masculinity in the world today. The author or editor of more than twenty volumes, his books include The Politics of Manhood, and The History of Men (2005).

His documentary history, "Against the Tide: Pro-Feminist Men in the United States, 1776-1990" (Beacon, 1992), chronicled men who supported women’s equality since the founding of the country. His book, Manhood in America: A Cultural History (1996) was hailed as the definitive work on the subject. Reviewers called the book "wide-ranging, level headed, human and deeply interesting," "superb...thorough, impressive and fascinating."

His most recent book, Guyland: The Perilous World Where Boys Become Men (2008) is a best-selling investigation of young people’s lives today, based on interviews with more than 400 young men, ages 16-26. Feminist icon Gloria Steinem said that "Michael Kimmel's Guyland could save the humanity of many young men – and the sanity of their friends and parents."

Kimmel holds the position of Distinguished Professor of Sociology at the State University of New York at Stony Brook in New York, and is a spokesperson of NOMAS (The National Organization For Men Against Sexism).

He lives in Brooklyn, New York with his family.

Reviews

[Vasili Birlidis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good overview of the major topics in sexualities studies through the sociological lens, but this edition is extremely out-of-date in the topics of LGBT sexualities and pornography. The collection of articles as a whole is good, but several specific articles are just unusable in 2016-2017. (In that respect, it's a good read for the historical context of our view on sexuality 20 years ago.) Read for WST 3603 - Sexualities Studies with Mrs. Nutter-Pridgen (fourth year, University of Florida, Fall 2016).

[Bex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uh, yeah, edited this book, so I think most of it is pretty fly.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Required reading for school. Due to the contents of this book, you get some very interesting stares from people who pass by when you're reading it in school.

[Mofe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read.Gives context to some of our most base instincts and behaviours