Customer Reviews

Public Sex in a Latin Society

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This little tomb of knowledge provides anyone interested in Latino studies, sexuality studies, queer studies, sociology, cultural anthropology and very intimate and academic view of Public Sex within the macho dominated Latino culture and sub-culture.

Written towards an educated and/or academic audience, this book offers insight into the sexual norms, abnormalities, practices, taboos, alternative lifestyles and distinct culture of sex.

This book is highly recommended for anyone working within the HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care, & Treatment field and should be required reading for students of Latino (Ethnic/Area) studies.

Author Jacob Schifter, PhD provides an eye-opening account into a subject matter that is too often ignored in Latino culture. Schifter utilizes both quantitative and qualitative research methods into uncovering this phenomenon in Costa Rica. A qualitative scholar myself, it was these participant's accounts that I read directly (some funny, some very sad). Schifter makes a good argument stating that these participants experiences of childhood sexual abuse are what dictates these participants current sexuality as adults. (Can't say I agree 100% with this, but it is a convincing argument nonetheless. Also, while I recognize that this an all too important work I question if this work really reflects the attitudes of all of Latin Society).

Schifter uncovers locations for public sexual activity in Costa Rica. The difference between Cacheros and Locusts. (Cacheros are male prostitutes that are not considered homosexual as long as they aren't penetrated; Locusts utilize their sexual allure to attract paying male customers and often rob or murder them). Rounding out the chapter Schifter shows the attitudes of police officers toward gay Latino men, which is a direct reflection of the country's own homophobia and hatred.