The Centerfold Syndrome: How Men Can Overcome Objectification and Achieve Intimacy with Women 1st Edition
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Gary R. Brooks
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Gary R. Brooks
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ISBN-13:
978-0787901042
ISBN-10:
0787901040
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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.
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
"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
From the Inside Flap
In an era of rapidly changing gAnder relations, The Centerfold Syndrome gives a candid analysis of how boys are conditioned to both depAnd on and fear the power that females hold over them as gatekeepers to a precious commodity--the objectified female body. Most importantly, the study describes how this syndrome can prevent true emotional intimacy.Both men and women will appreciate the honesty and candor of The Centerfold Syndrome. It offers specific guidelines and a practical plan of action for all of us in our various roles as friAnds, lovers, partners, husbands, wives, parents, and responsible citizens.
From the Back Cover
In an era of rapidly changing gAnder relations, The Centerfold Syndrome gives a candid analysis of how boys are conditioned to both depAnd on and fear the power that females hold over them as gatekeepers to a precious commodity--the objectified female body. Most importantly, the study describes how this syndrome can prevent true emotional intimacy.Both men and women will appreciate the honesty and candor of The Centerfold Syndrome. It offers specific guidelines and a practical plan of action for all of us in our various roles as friAnds, lovers, partners, husbands, wives, parents, and responsible citizens.
About the Author
GARY R. BROOKS, Ph.D., is an associate professor in psychiatry and behavioral science with the Texas A&M University Health Sciences Center, adjunct faculty member at Baylor University, and instructor of men's studies with Texas Women's University. He is also the assistant chief of psychology service at the O. E. Teague Veteran's Center, Temple, Texas.
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Product details
- Publisher : Jossey-Bass; 1st edition (August 15, 1995)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 272 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0787901040
- ISBN-13 : 978-0787901042
- Item Weight : 1.08 pounds
- Dimensions : 6.32 x 0.98 x 9.47 inches
-
Best Sellers Rank:
#1,571,091 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2,907 in General Sexual Health
- #3,394 in Popular Psychology of Sexuality
- #3,886 in Medical Psychotherapy TA & NLP
- Customer Reviews:
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Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2010
Verified Purchase
This book is from a secular perspective, and gives incredible insight to the truth, many of us already know intuitively, porn destroys. It is amazing to see, even from a non-Christian eyeglass the effects these people have personally suffered, impacting their very personalities, ability to love, and the deep loneliness that is the end result of the users of porn. The ramifications on our society, are of catastrophic proportions, affecting every last one of us. I am a Christian, and know from God's word these things actually war against one's very soul, perhaps this could be the glimmer of hope to open the eyes to the facts that are starring us in the face.....Ted Bundy, the serial killer was quoted as saying....."every violent offender he was in prison with had one thing in common, they were all addicted to porn, without exception...which makes sense after so many years of viewing people, with souls...as objects.
3 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2015
Verified Purchase
I expected a good deal more on battling porn addiction, like the website: .http://www.nofap.com/
The book is a narrative of a support group of about a dozen men and their failures to relate to the women in their lives. The book is very readable, just not quite for what I was looking.
The book is a narrative of a support group of about a dozen men and their failures to relate to the women in their lives. The book is very readable, just not quite for what I was looking.
Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2015
Verified Purchase
A great book that arrived in excellent condition. Very expeditious and enjoyable to read.
Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2004
This is such an important 'whistleblowing book' that shines a light on so many assumtions in our world about males views of women. Women know it through being labelled and treated unhappily as objects. But now importantly this book shows how the suffering is there for men too.
This blows assumptions that 'men are just like that' or that it flows from a biological imprint that men are helpless too.
This should form a fundamental ingredient in 'male liberation' so that men can see how they compromise their own chance of intimacy by their training. This them gives an opportunity for REAL person to person relating rather than 'man pursuing fantasy'.
The only reason I didn't give it a '5' was that I would have liked more detailsed 'what to do about it' suggestions. There are some suggestions there but a lot relies on referring men to men's groups.
Don't let this deter you from reading the full implications and extent of this pattern as it's an important wake-up call.
However as a relationship specialist who deals with men who have come to me for struggles with relating to women due to this very problem (e.g. losing sexual attraction for otherwise terrific partners who werent physically perfect in some way), I for one would really have liked some clear direction for helping men deal with this.
This blows assumptions that 'men are just like that' or that it flows from a biological imprint that men are helpless too.
This should form a fundamental ingredient in 'male liberation' so that men can see how they compromise their own chance of intimacy by their training. This them gives an opportunity for REAL person to person relating rather than 'man pursuing fantasy'.
The only reason I didn't give it a '5' was that I would have liked more detailsed 'what to do about it' suggestions. There are some suggestions there but a lot relies on referring men to men's groups.
Don't let this deter you from reading the full implications and extent of this pattern as it's an important wake-up call.
However as a relationship specialist who deals with men who have come to me for struggles with relating to women due to this very problem (e.g. losing sexual attraction for otherwise terrific partners who werent physically perfect in some way), I for one would really have liked some clear direction for helping men deal with this.
7 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2007
This book is THE book to read for men who feel like there's something wrong with the way the society defines and evaluates their sexuality and for women who think that there's something wrong with how men perceive (objectify) women.
Brooks describes how most men learn to express their sexuality and says that the outcome is very bad and harmful for both men and women. He explains how women are perceived by men (as sexual objects) and why it is this way (what is happening in the male psyche and what are the psychological reasons). This book talks about the objectification of women and says that it is a very widespread male sexual pathology. It is so widespread that we almost don't see it, but it has a profound effect on our relationships with men and their ability to experience intimacy and sexual pleasure.
Brooks gives some advice how to overcome the syndrome, but he leaves the specifics for individuals to come up with - because the details vary based on the different causes.
This is an honest account on male sexuality from a man's perspective - very rare find. I highly recommend it even for those who just want to understand how the male-female sexual relations are taught to men in our culture.
Brooks describes how most men learn to express their sexuality and says that the outcome is very bad and harmful for both men and women. He explains how women are perceived by men (as sexual objects) and why it is this way (what is happening in the male psyche and what are the psychological reasons). This book talks about the objectification of women and says that it is a very widespread male sexual pathology. It is so widespread that we almost don't see it, but it has a profound effect on our relationships with men and their ability to experience intimacy and sexual pleasure.
Brooks gives some advice how to overcome the syndrome, but he leaves the specifics for individuals to come up with - because the details vary based on the different causes.
This is an honest account on male sexuality from a man's perspective - very rare find. I highly recommend it even for those who just want to understand how the male-female sexual relations are taught to men in our culture.
4 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2009
This book helped me understand men more. It helped me understand how they are socialized by society to view women as sex objects. It also helped me understand how men are socialized not to feel their feelings, and how that helps fuel their sexual objectification of women.
It also gave me hope that men can overcome their sexual objectification by learning to be intimate with their feelings with other men and with the women in their lives.
It also gave me hope that men can overcome their sexual objectification by learning to be intimate with their feelings with other men and with the women in their lives.
3 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2005
Yes, it gives us an idea about what is happening to society, unfortunately it gives only a very brief section on how to overcome it. I read the book and then gave it to my husband to read. It's not well written, spends a lot of time ranking on society and very little time helping someone find their way out of it. It also suggests repeatedly that the majority of people have this syndrome. I believe the majority of people are affected by the stress society places on sexuality, but most people do not suffer the obsessive addiction my husband does. Unfortunately the book has made him believe that he is not out of the normal and hasn't given him what he needs to understand that he IS out of the norm and that it's ruining our lives.
9 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2000
A study of why men are so attracted by looks. Brooks reviews the nature/nurture theories of standards of female beauty and, unlike other writers in this field, such as Wolf, Etcoff and the evo-psychologists, he goes on to offer solutions to the male side of the problem. The latter half of the book describes his group therapy for the "Centerfold Syndrome." I think myself that the answer lies in women changing their sources of self-esteem rather than in men changing their tastes, but this is important work and an important book.
13 people found this helpful
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