Doing the Work of Love: Men & Commitment in Same-Sex Couples [Paperback]

J. Michael Clark (Author), James B. Nelson (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1999

"Clark's critique of the objectification that occurs in the 'sexual delivery system' in the gay male subculture and his description of his and his partner's emergence from that subculture into a committed, ongoing, day-to-day relationship contribute significantly to the literature that is stretching toward new ways of creating more just and satisfying intimate relationships outside of sexist and heterosexual consciousness"--Stephen B. Boyd, Wake Forest University.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Clark, the author of a number of books on gay ethics and theology (e.g., Defying the Darkness; An Unbroken Circle), postulates that gay male ghettoes, seemingly liberating safe spaces, are in fact restrictive; that they help to perpetuate stereotypes of urban, white, middle-class, physically perfect gay men; and that their "sexual-delivery-system" culture of bars and promiscuous sex dehumanizes and objectifies relationships. As an antidote, Clark suggests that gay men eschew promiscuity and establish loving relationships grounded in sexual ethics, accountability, and monogamy. The author adopts a multidisciplinary approach, drawing from human sexuality studies, men's studies, liberation theology, ethics, and his own experiencesAwhich, while enriching the text, also occasionally obscure some of the finer points he is trying to make. Careful to assert that his monogamous sexual ethic represents only one way of structuring sexual relationships, he manages to find only thoroughly bleak alternatives to this preference. But his ideas are convincingly presented and deserving of attention. Recommended for academic libraries, special gay studies collections, and large public libraries.ARichard Violette, Special Libraries Cataloging, Victoria, BC
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Back Cover

"I found this a liberating book. Michael Clark personally knows what it is to take back from heterosexist control the power to define his own identity. He knows and shows how lesbians and other minorities have an important stake in liberating the gay ghetto." -James B. Nelson, Professor Emeritus of Christian Ethics, United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, author of The Intimate Connection: Male Sexuality, Masculine Spirituality and Body Theology

"In Doing the Work of Love, J. Michael Clark is writing in an area that clearly needs a great deal of work. His critique ... contribute[s] significantly to the literature that is stretching toward new ways of creating more just and satisfying intimate relationships outside of sexist and heterosexist consciousness." -Stephen B. Boyd, J. Allen Easley Professor of Religion, Wake Forest University, author of The Men We Long to Be

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 172 pages
• Publisher: Men's Studies Press; 1st edition (October 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967179408
• ISBN-13: 978-0967179407
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,703,474 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Do publishers not have editors any more?, February 24, 2000

By 

Robert F. Allen "tristanva" (Richmond, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Doing the Work of Love: Men & Commitment in Same-Sex Couples (Paperback)

This is a very ambitious book and it delivers on a great deal of what the reader expects from the title. The author's belief is that commitment and monogamy are existentially healthier for people--including gay men--than are promiscuity and transient relationships. But if the text had been edited to eliminate the tiresomely tendentious jargon and an exasperating amount of repetition, we could have a 60-page article that was a pleasure to read and a mine of information and provocative insight. Instead of "author! author!" I want to cry, "editor! editor!"