I’ve always been interested in contemporary male sexuality and the ramifications men and women face from our conceptions of it. As we learn more, concepts change, and often people are reluctant to change if it effects their perception or lifestyle critically.

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In Contemporary Male Sexuality: Confronting Myths and Promoting Change by Barry and Emily McCarthy, the authors do just what the title says. They identify and critique traditional male views regarding sex and relationships by calling those views myths. The authors question the efficacy of said views. They also demonstrate how those views place women as “second class.” This substantiates their reasoning for promoting more of a cohesive platform between both men and women.

McCarthy & McCarthy call this bridge the female-male sexual equity model.

“…having this in your arsenal for challenging the reluctance could be useful to promote healthy male sexuality vs the contrary.”

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What is the female-male sexual equity model?

The female-male sexual equity model is, essentially, a dialogue that promotes a roadmap and guidelines for change (p.11).

This concept is a great solution to the conflicts that surround what sex is and isn’t for both men and women. The model challenges both men and women to dive deeper into themselves to find their own healthy sexuality.

Once that is harnessed and articulated between partners, the relationship can grow, not only with emotional intimacy but also sexually. Statistically that’s 15-20% of relational happiness!

One statistic at that was redundant was the 15-20% efficacy of the role sexuality plays in the well-being of relationships (p.8). I and you will never forget this statistic. Whether you agree with that statistic, is up to you. The language that McCarthy & McCarthy use is moderately blaming of men for their oppressive views. Moreover, male readers should try to not take it personal and look at it more of a critique of male sexual culture. Which, without a doubt, needs to be updated and challenged.

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Who is Contemporary Male Sexuality for?

This book could be useful for clients that are open to challenging the perception of masculinity and their own preconceived notions of intimacy and sex.

For the reluctant client that does not want to challenge their perceptions, it could be difficult. However, having this in your arsenal for challenging the reluctance could be useful to promote healthy male sexuality vs the contrary.

Guest Post by Elijah Irving

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Are you looking for more reputable data-backed information on sexual addiction? The Mitigation Aide Research Archive is an excellent source for executive summaries of research studies.

Do you feel your sexual behavior, or that of someone you love, is out of control? Then you should consult with a professional.

The post Book Review: Contemporary Male Sexuality: Confronting Myths and Promoting Change first appeared on Dr. Jen's Recovery Readings.

I bought this book as soon as I saw it. I was excited to read it. That may sound odd to someone not in my field, there is so little published on sibling sexual abuse that any new readings on the topic catch my eye. 

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The occurrence of sibling sexual abuse is not that uncommon. However, it is VERY UNCOMMON for this type of abuse to be reported to parents, care givers or the authorities. There are so many people in the world who experienced this type of sexual abuse who have remained silent for decades. It is a taboo topic that is not talked about, though it should be.

My Review of Sibling Sexual Abuse

In my continued effort to be totally honest, I am going to say that I really wanted to like this book a lot more than I actually did. Here are some of my struggles with the book. 

1. Most of the research cited is old. Some of it from the late 1990’s, which, by research standards, is old. There are only a few citations from the past five years or so. In the author’s defense, there is not a lot of scientific research on sibling sexual abuse to draw from. However, a quick Science Direct search reveals newer research from the past few years.
2. There is a heavy use of “offender” and “deviant” when referring to a sibling sexual abuser. While the term offender is technically correct, in our more trauma informed world, I had a personal struggle with what felt like the heavy use of the word when we are talking about children, some pretty young, who have engaged in sexually abusive behavior. I own that the lens of my work is heavily trauma informed. So the use of words like deviant can hit my button for being very shame inducing. Others may not see the use of these words through that lens.
3. The author expresses some ideas, that are currently theories, as facts. Concepts such as pornography addiction shaping arousal templates of young people are not considered to be scientifically proven at this point and are rather controversial in our field. While I do agree with the author’s thoughts about the influence of large amounts of pornography viewing on young people’s sexual attitudes and possibly behavior, I struggle to speak of them as absolute facts.
4. I found the book a little confusing as well. Though I perceived the language in the beginning of the book as not terribly trauma informed, the author then laid out treatment options and philosophies that were very trauma informed. The holistic, individualized, trauma informed treatment that he suggests is sometimes at odds with the language used. 

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Learn More about Sibling Sexual Abuse

• Sibling Sexual Abuse as Family Dysfunction
• Sibling Sexual Abuse: A Parental Perspective
• Book Review: Sibling Sexual Abuse
• Adverse Childhood Experiences and Sibling Incest

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How My Review is Shaded by My Professional Experience

After I write my list of complaints about the book, I need to take a step back and check my perspective. 

I do a large amount of forensic work which means I am steeped in research articles and science. Actually, I love it too! I realize that not everyone looks at what is basically a self-help book through a scientific lens. I am, perhaps, being way too hard on this book and the author.

With my own biases in mind, I realize that this is a book that is not written for the scientific community, I can then truly see the value in this book. 

We NEED to talk about sibling sexual abuse. The people who were victims of this form of abuse need a voice and this book is a starting point for them to understand that we see them, and they are not alone. 

The book also offers some very solid treatment options, as well as looking very honestly at the issues that can arise for a family dealing with sibling sexual abuse. This can include Children and Youth involvement, legal issues, family separation and possible placement of the child that has committed the sexually abusive behavior.

Sibling Sexual Abuse, available on Amazon.

This post contains affiliate links. The author or blog owner may earn a commission if you make a purchase using these links.

Are you looking for more reputable data-backed information on sexual addiction? The Mitigation Aide Research Archive is an excellent source for executive summaries of research studies.

Do you feel your sexual behavior, or that of someone you love, is out of control? Then you should consult with a professional.

Have you found yourself in legal trouble due to your sexual behavior? Seek assistance before the court mandates it, with Sexual Addiction Treatment Services.

The post Book Review: Sibling Sexual Abuse first appeared on Dr. Jen's Recovery Readings.