Sex Matters: The Sexuality and Society Reader

by Mindy Stombler (Editor), Dawn M. Baunach (Editor), Elisabeth O. Burgess (Editor)

A sex-positive reader that presents sex as a social issue

This popular reader has a strong sociological focus, highlighting the ways that social institutions—and the individuals within them—shape our understanding of sexuality and influence our behaviors, attitudes, and identities. The readings, 50 percent of which are new to the Fifth Edition, cover a diverse range of sexual experiences, including new pieces on asexuality, online porn, and PrEP for HIV prevention. The editors mix qualitative and quantitative empirical pieces, sexual narratives, and articles from the popular press.

Genres: Sociology, Nonfiction, Sexuality, Read For School, School, College

752 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 21, 2003

Reviews

[Kelly Palakshappa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mindy Stombler is a wonderful teacher and author. This book has a lot of short readings to help you understand society's viewpoint on sexuality. Some of the articles discuss taboo topics from and interviewer firsthand accounts. I especially enjoyed the readings from Chapter 5, The Sexual Body.

[Lindabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is really great so far, an excellent collection of very provocative writings about the cultural factors that shape what we often think of as individual sexual identities and practices, as well as critically analyzing the normative construction of just what "sex" is.

[Annah-Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will make you reevaluate everything you think you know about sex and sexuality. Educate yourself!

[Eli · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great introduction to the sociology of sexuality, and full of statistics and insights that would be good for everyone to know. None of the pieces are dry or dull, and yet all of them are well-researched and cited.

[Vi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read chapters 1-8, 10, 13, 15, 18, 19, 22, 44, 45, 46, 48, 52, 53, 55, 57, and 60 for a class and may eventually get around to reading the chapters we missed bc it was quite interesting!

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

The selections in this book are always important and usually interesting, but sometimes boring and occasionally dense. This was apparently required for a course my sister took, and I get the feeling that it isn't the kind of book you're supposed to read cover-to-cover. I'm glad I did so, but I certainly wouldn't do it again.

[annakristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

uh, about sex = awesome!

[Marni Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for the sociology classroom. Strong articles and relevant resources.

[C Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great text in the sociology of sex. Pushes boundaries. Lots of them.