The Centerfold Syndrome: How Men Can Overcome Objectification and Achieve Intimacy with Women (Jossey Bass Social and Behavioral Science Series) (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Brooks's (Texas A&M, psychology) supposition is that men have been given the Penthouse and Playboy centerfolds as a cultural idea of the perfect woman to seek out. Unfortunately, the icon does not usually live up to reality, and the discrepancy can prevent mature male/female interpersonal relations and intimacy. The centerfold syndrome, indoctrinated sometimes subtly, depersonalizes women, perpetuates anatomical falsities, and creates idealized and unreal fantasies about sex and sexuality; in short, it makes women objects of conquest, not people to interact with. The elements of this syndrome include (1) voyeurism (omnipresent images of naked and near-naked women), (2) objectification (women become objects to be observed), (3) need for validation through sexual conquest, (4) trophyism (women's bodies as trophies to be "collected"), and (5) fear of intimacy (insensitivity to emotional needs and issues). Brooks presents discussion in one of his men's groups as an example of the syndrome, goes on to debunk conventional wisdom, then provides some dozen modi operandi for overcoming it (to create harmony in one's sensual, sexual, social, spiritual, and emotional self). Appropriate and recommended for the men's self-help section of public libraries and psychology collections in community and senior college libraries.?Scott Johnson, Meridian Community Coll. Lib., Miss.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Brooks offers hope and concrete suggestions in generous doses. . . . The Centerfold Syndrome, though chilling sometimes in its bluntness, is a window into the psyche of the typical American male. I recommAnd it highly to clinician and lay person alike as a very informative and readable book." --The Journal of Family Psychotherapy

"This book will open men's minds and hearts to a very different way to approach male-female relationships." --Ronald F. Levant, Diplomate in Clinical Psychology, Cambridge Hospital/Harvard Medical School, co-author of Masculinity Reconstructed

"A 'must read' for men, therapists who work with men, and for all who love men." --Terry A. Kupers, M.D., psychiatrist, author of Revisioning Mens' Lives: GAnder, Intimacy and Power

"Never preachy, always compassionate and sensible, Dr. Brooks will prove a steady companion for any man who wants to make changes in his sexual life." --Kathy Weingarten, assistant professor of psychology, Harvard Medical School, author of The Mother's Voice: Strengthening Intimacy in Familes

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1st edition (August 15, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787901040
• ISBN-13: 978-0787901042
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #750,188 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

39 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The book helped me, it has some notable drawbacks, April 18, 2001

By A Customer

I found this book both helpful, yet at times it made assertions (generalizations of certain people) that were unsubstantiated.

His development of what he defines as the "centerfld syndrome" was very enlightening for me. I liked the detailed group therapy sessions (he changed subjects names) where he clearly carried the burden of proof (in my eyes) for what comprises the centerfld syndrome - objectification, trophyism, etc. My wife and I read this portion and it helped me to uncover and debunk my own flawed thinking.

His narrow characterizations (on page 74) of anyone who is believes in scripture - that "Such people will have no use for this book" - he clearly shows his lack of judgment and a distinct bias against anyone with a faith in scripture. Not everyone who believes scripture fits his cookie-cutter fallacy of thinking. His ignorant statements to such people can quickly turn off a large population of people who (really need help and) could actually find help through his book if he would simply keep his unfounded opinions of religious people to himself.

I still found his very book helpful. It helped me to see women (and particularly my wife) in a different light and to see a little deeper into the root system of this problem.

There are portions of his book that helped me to see the flaws in my patterns of thinking. This has helped me find some freedom and has helped my relationship with my wife to a degree.

I really wish he had spent more time at the end developing the topics that were supposed to help a person find freedom in the last chapter "Overcoming the centerfld syndrome". I wish he would have spent more time on pesonal change rather than changing culture. The areas for personal change were very under-developed. I was eager to find more information on that. It was really disappointing. I read this book to help me to change and to enhance my marriage. I have more power over changing my own life and marriage (with God's grace) than I do an ENTIRE society.

He could have moved much or all of the descriptive content of cultural change to the middle of the book describing and supporting the tenants of the centerfld syndrome.

The best part of the book is where he develops the tenants of the centerfld syndrome. He develops this area masterfully.

I will still keep this book on my shelf, I just know what parts were helpful and which ones were half-baked.

34 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GOOD BOOK! But men still have to do the work!, January 9, 2001

By A Customer

This is a very worth while book. I've got 6 other books on the matter and this one by far gives men the most credit and options for improving their sexual outlook. I am a women who recently found out that her boyfriend had been hiding a cyberporn addiction even though he promised no more porn once we moved in together. He is 37 years old and picked this porn habit up from his father. He has gotten past much of his upbringing (the good ol'south) to see most women in a positive light--at least professionally. Big problem though that he compartmentalizes porn mentally as something that has no effect on our sexuality as a couple. I believe that he was enculturated to see women as objects for his pleasure and the book's author makes strong cases for this. Part of the problem is the Madonna/Whore thing and that the women in porn don't really seem like they are human at all to these guys--just parts to fixate on. Porn persuades men to seek self-indulgent fantasy and to shun intimacy with real women. This has really hurt our relationship because he's so fixated on himself/his body, that it becomes difficult for him to reach out to me even though we used to have a fantastic rewarding relationship just this time last year. I have read the book and feel better--I only hope that he will read it and do the work in the last chapter. We are in therapy now--but this sort of thing has all types of defenses wrapped around it and is fortified by denial and shame. Anyway--get this book, it is worth it. Just wish there was a workbook to go along with it. That would really help.

20 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Other Side of the Story, February 3, 2002

By A Customer

Finally a man who can see the dangers and manipulation of pornography. I am glad that the other side of the story is being told as porn seems to be filtering into all aspects of our lives. Men are conditioned to look at women as sex objects from an early age. I do not see how anyone can argue that this does not have an impact on their views (especially in relation to women). Men are taught to look at numerous women - one is never enough - women who are naked and ready for them. Plus with airbrushing and computerization the pictures are not close to reality furthur adding fuel to the fire by reducing womeans self esteem to the very core - by judging us solely on how we look naked. Another area of concern is the number of women willing to deform and distort there bodies (usually with excessively large implants) and how this is glamourized in our society. Pornography is damaging to all members of society not just women as the book explains. Its time women and men were educated on the dangers of pornography. A great first step is to read this book.