Slutdom: Reclaiming shame-free sexuality

by Hilary Caldwell

Sex should be good for everyone. Slutdom argues for a world without sexual shame where you can get what you need – and deserve. ' When women are enjoying better sex, the people they have sex with will too. Sexual equality is good for everyone.' Despite decades of activism, women are still burdened with the effects of slut-shaming in everyday life. Finally, there is a book that argues convincingly and passionately for women' s enjoyment of sex as a force to advance gender equality. Delving into topics such as pleasure, pain, empowerment, and including real women' s stories and saucy tips, sexologist and academic Hilary Caldwell is uniquely placed to understand what shame-free sex feels like – and, importantly, what women who refuse to be slut-shamed can achieve. Deeply researched and drawn from the author' s own life experience, Slutdom is controversial, celebratory and courageous.

Genres: Nonfiction

253 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 2, 2024

Reviews

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book wasn’t what I thought it would be about! I assumed it was a sociological exploration of sex but it was more about the experiences of sex workers and clients and what we can learn about sex from those buying and providing sexual services.

It was interesting and there were some powerful, articulate lines. I felt sometimes it got a bit repetitive and that the point had already been made and I got confused with the different names and whether they were a sex worker or a client or their gender when the author was trying to make a gendered point.

The one thing I wish had of been addressed was the myth in the society, that enjoying sex means you are filling a void left by something else and those who don’t have that void are naturally not wanting casual sex.

I really loved the fourth section of the book about power. I was engrossed reading that part and found that really informative and thought provoking. It was nice to read about sex helping with negations of needs and confidence. I truly agree that dismantling shame around sex is the foundation of breaking through gender inequality.

[Georgia Nicholls · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF’d this book. it felt largely like a reaffirming of the authors belief in sex work than a true insight into the sex work industry. it focused largely on female ‘empowerment’, and how that tends to come in the form of sex-positivity, which i think is short sighted. amia srinivasan breaks down the sex industry from an amazing intersectional perspective in her book ‘the right to sex’, and provided more insight into the industry for me.

[Vannessa · Rating 2 out of 5]

The focus of this book is largely the area of commercial sexual services rather than what the title and blurb might suggest the book is about - helping women find ways to express their sexual desires openly and joyfully without judgement and shame. But first up, it insists that women being sexual is akin to proudly being a slut, reclaiming the term etc. Why should this be the case, though? Could women express themselves sexually without needing to appropriate the term 'slut'? Could this call to use the term 'slut' perhaps fits in with the book's focus on promoting sex work and commercial sexual services?

The book provides a few generic suggestions about sex and relationships but keeps coming around to the suggestion that the answer lies in consuming paid sexual services as the key to releasing women to express themselves fully. I think UQP and the author could have made the book's focus on sex work (based on the author's PhD thesis) more explicit in the title, blurb and promotion of the book. It becomes laughable for the reader to find that all roads lead to a discussion about how great 'sexual services' are for one's sex life. The book does not fit comfortably into any of these categories: memoir, creative non-fiction, self-help, personal development, or academic research, but tries to occupy all those categories unsatisfyingly.

[Luna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book touches on some thought-provoking themes, including the Madonna-Whore complex, gender disparities in pleasure, sex education in Australia, and the legal landscape of sex work in the country. These discussions are compelling and offer valuable insights into often overlooked aspects of gender and sexuality.

However, the central argument - that women should feel empowered to access sex services - becomes repetitive at times, with the message hammered home more than necessary.

While the perspectives shared by Australian sex workers are engaging and the book's publication in 2024 lends it a sense of immediacy, I found that it didn’t quite deliver the revolutionary impact I had hoped for.

It didn’t significantly challenge or transform my views on sex or gender, as I had expected. Still, the book offers an interesting, contemporary exploration of these important issues, even if it didn't fully resonate on a personal level.

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book and how she reframes the perspective that sex workers are not just for men's tantilization and release. Showing that it's just as much for women reclaiming their sexuality and pleasure. But it definitely takes a very positive approach and doesn't shed any light on the negative and scary side of sex work (both purchasing and performing), but I totally loved her positive perspective and her guidance (and encouragement) of how women can find their power through paying for sex!

[Ruby Swibel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up and read the title and blurb thinking this would be about sexuality and empowerment, which it is… but I didn’t realise so much of it would be focused on sex work. Not that I’m complaining! I haven’t had a good look/insight into what sex work really is, and Hillary’s book is a fantastic insight into what it is (especially in Australia) and her personal experience. As a sex educator, I found the Consent part of this book super insightful.

[Kelsey Attwood · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall intriguing to learn more about sexual encounters and sex workers more generally.
I originally only wanted to read the book based on the title but I’m pleasantly surprised with the informative book

[Freyja · Rating 4 out of 5]

thought provoking and insightful. i just wish the writing was a bit more fluent, but i grant that the formulaic essay-based writing style is typical of researchers/PhD holders. enjoyable nonetheless !

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provides such a unique perspective, a perfect blend of academia and personal experience. It’s shocking and challenges views, whilst simultaneously empowering and reassuring.

[Nikki Wild · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantasy no