Customer Reviews

Sexual Awareness: Couple Sexuality for the Twenty-First Century (McCarthy, Barry & Emily)

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I am a clinical psychologist and work with many individuals and couples with sexual disorders. This book is one of the most helpful tools I have in my practice in teaching sensate focus techniques and equipping patients with accurate information

This is an interesting (but dated) guide to sexual enjoyment for heterosexual couples, written by a group of three therapists (McCarthy, Ryan, and Johnson). The exquisite line drawings which illustrate this book are erotic yet not "dirty."

The instructions for sexual pleasure in this book would be handy for a young childless couple with a lot of time on their hands and no complicating health problems.

Pregnancy and birth control is never mentioned here. Likewise, the topic of sexually transmitted diseases is utterly overlooked. In a way, this book is a product of its time - the days when AIDS was unknown and the Pill was "In."

It is nice to read a book in which sexuality is not sneaky or abnormal. It may have been a real revolution for the authors to openly talk about the basics of healthy human sexuality.

My perception is that the focus is largely on the male experience, with the unique needs of the female omitted. For instance, it is assumed that everyone has the potential to receive pleasure from sex, at any moment.

"Non demanding touch" is a good idea. But what about the quality of the NON-sexual side of the relationship? What about the children and the potential for children? Or Pregnancy, menstruation, breastfeeding? Economic dependence? Other relationship problems..?

Despite its limitations, this book is a kick to read, and may give you ideas to spice up your own bedtime rituals.