Sperm Counts: Overcome by Man's Most Precious Fluid

Intersections: Transdisciplinary Perspectives on Genders and Sexualities

by Lisa Jean Moore

2007 Choice Outstanding Academic Title

Winner of the Passing the Torch Award from the Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies

It has been called sperm, semen, seed, cum, jizz, spunk, gentlemen's relish, and splooge. But however the "tacky, opaque liquid that comes out of the penis" is described, the very act of defining "sperm" and "semen" depends on your point of view. For Lisa Jean Moore, how sperm comes to be known is based on who defines it (a scientist vs. a defense witness, for example), under what social circumstances it is found (a doctor's office vs. a crime scene), and for what purposes it will be used (in vitro fertilization vs. DNA analysis). Examining semen historically, medically, and culturally, Sperm Counts is a penetrating exploration of its meaning and power.
Using a ";follow that sperm" approach, Moore shows how representations of sperm and semen are always in flux, tracing their twisting journeys from male reproductive glands to headline news stories and presidential impeachment trials. Much like the fluid of semen itself can leak onto fabrics and into bodies, its meanings seep into our consciousness over time. Moore's analytic lens yields intriguing observations of how sperm is "spent" and "reabsorbed" as it spurts, swims, and careens through penises, vaginas, test tubes, labs, families, cultures, and politics.
Drawn from fifteen years of research, Sperm Counts examines historical and scientific documents, children's "facts of life" books, pornography, the Internet, forensic transcripts and sex worker narratives to explain how semen got so complicated. Among other things, understanding how we produce, represent, deploy and institutionalize semen-biomedically, socially and culturally-provides valuable new perspectives on the changing social position of men and the evolving meanings of masculinity. Ultimately, as Moore reveals, sperm is intimately involved in not only the physical reproduction of males and females, but in how we come to understand ourselves as men and women.

Genres: Nonfiction, Feminism, Sociology, Sexuality, Gender

214 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2007

Reviews

[Mr. Cuddles · Rating 2 out of 5]

The themes in thus book could have been bettrr developed. The chapters on depiction of sperm in sexual education and anthropomorphism of sperm form some of the distinguishing features of this book. The chapters on forensics and on sperm banks are surprisingly shallow.

In essence, reading just the last chapter titled 'the future of sperm' is better than reading the whole book. It presents all the ideas of the book, summarised. The rest of the book has little else to add to your knowledge

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had a friend lend this one to me after reading it for a Sociology course. It was fairly interesting--wittingly written and fast paced--but I felt at times that some of Moore's ideas weren't fully developed. Though it was 150 pages on sperm alone, I think she could have done more inquiry into some of the issues she was raising. For instance, she had a chapter that dealt with sex work/pornography, but it was as though she only gave an overview of the basics rather than really delving into things. She gave a few brief testimonials from sex workers, but failed to look into their feelings on the subject at hand--how a culture of semen can extend into gender construction. She talks about how they "manage" men by managing the potential toxicity of the johns' cum, but doesn't ask them what they believe that says about their performances as women, as women in their specific occupation, and the men they're dealing with. But though it had its flaws, namely my problem with Moore's seemingly incomplete study and articulation of this culture of cum, I think the book was at the least a really fascinating and entertaining read, and--if a bit half-hearted at points--she attempts to be really comprehensive in her analysis.

[Vanessa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Qualitatively, I really expected her writing to possess more spark, less cheeze ("Overcome" "Seminal" etc). From a theoretical perspective, I am still not entirely clear on her final interpretation on the meaning of sperm in US culture--sperm is at once anthropomorphized (so we see it as endearing) dangerous (sex work and STIs) male fantasy wants women to love it and be marked by it (evinced by adult film) but at the same time, many men are threatened when women want the sperm, but not the man (same-sex IVF, IUI, etc). I see some of these items as irreconcilable, and I don't think Moore resolves them or pulls them together in any cogent or forceful way.

Aside: she sees potential in the commodification of sperm for women to assume a cultural connection with technology, and move past their entrenched connection with nature. This reading ignores certain cultural conflations of women with machines and dangerous technology.

Overall, I did enjoy it, and I am in favor of University presses publishing more titles with pop/crossover appeal.

[Abbey · Rating 5 out of 5]

often campy as hell (which is greatly appreciated in contrast to the dense readings in graduate school), i absolutely enjoyed this book about the cultural meanings attached to sperm. sections on pornography, DNA testing, and sperm banking provided a lot of information on an unknown territory for me. i fell in love with chapter three- physical representations and characterizations of sperm in children's sex education books.

check it out!

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this is well-written and some of the arguments do have some basis, she has many holes in her arguments in terms of evidence. This leaves the argument a little weak. I believe she also suffers from trying to be as politically correct as possible. This is probably a good starting point, but it could definitely be improved.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

How can you go wrong? Although this book may not present any radical theories or reveal anything too shocking, it remains a sharp examination of semen/sperm. Each chapter has a different focus, and the topics are refreshingly diverse. I especially loved the chapter on children's books.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part of my review in the fall issue of Bitch.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative, but a bit repetitive at times...

[Dustin Rollins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great narrative on the derivation of masculinity from sperm. Highly recommended for anyone interested in Masculinity Construction.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is also a flipbook!