Sexuality has traditionally been, and in some ways remains, a taboo subject. Despite increasing open-mindedness toward various sexual acts and lifestyles, attitudes are still often fueled by prejudice, prudery and ignorance, which stifle constructive public discourse while spreading harmful misinformation. these attitudes had an effect even on early sex researchers, who described sexuality only in negative terms and distanced themselves from the process, as though sex itself were immoral.
In Sexual Attitudes: Myths and Realities, internationally acclaimed sexologists Vern L. Bullough and Bonnie Bullough take readers on a guided tour through the many assumptions and misconceptions we harbor about our own sexuality, as they bring us up to date on a variety of sexual and related issues. How did masturbation evolve from being regarded as a cause of insanity to being a normal part of sexual development? When did the medical profession stop view homosexuality as a sin or sickness, and accept it as a valid form of sexual expression? How did abortion move from being an illegal act, performed in secrecy under dangerous conditions, to a constitutionally protected right? The authors highlight the ways in which social, moral and religious attitudes have dramatically changed from being founded on myths to relying on more science-based realities.
The Bulloughs argue that accepting new knowledge need not undermine morality even though it challenges entrenched, often unfounded, assumptions about our sexual behavior. They contend that our traditional attitudes about sex must be continuously rethought and updated rather than shrouded in mystery and myth. Moral vlues can still be maintained even while acknowledging the existence of vastly more accurate information about the physiology of sex and the many ways in which we choose to express our sexuality.
Vern L. Bullough (Northridge, CA) is distinguished professor emeritus at the State University College at Buffalo, where he was dean of natural and social sciences for over ten years. He is currently visiting professor at the University of Southern California
Bonnie Bullough is a professor in the school of nursing at the University of Southern California. She is dean emeritus of the nursing school of the State University of New York at Buffalo. The Bulloughs have collaborated on many works, including Contraception: A Guide to Birth Control Methods and The Frontiers of Sex Research.