Ira L. Reiss

In a personal, nontechnical, and informal style, eminent researcher Ira L. Reiss discusses the many situations he has encountered during the past fifty years while researching sexuality and developing useful and innovative explanations of its different aspects. Most of the problems that were present during those years are still confronting those who work on human sexuality. Reiss discusses his experiences in sexual science in areas such as premarital sex, the sexual revolution, Masters and Johnson's therapy, feminism and sexuality, crises in sexual organizations, responses to HIV/AIDS, child and adolescent sexuality, radical social constructionism, biology versus sexual science, international trends, and the movement toward a Ph.D. in sexual science. The insights and solutions Reiss proposes are of great importance to all those who are interested in the sexual issues that affect people today.

In a personal, nontechnical, and informal style, eminent researcher Ira L. Reiss discusses the many situations he has encountered during the past fifty years while researching sexuality and developing useful and innovative explanations of its different aspects. Most of the problems that were present during those years are still confronting those who work on human sexuality. Reiss discusses his experiences in sexual science in areas such as premarital sex, the sexual revolution, Masters and Johnson's therapy, feminism and sexuality, crises in sexual organizations, responses to HIV/AIDS, child and adolescent sexuality, radical social constructionism, biology versus sexual science, international trends, and the movement toward a Ph.D. in sexual science. The insights and solutions Reiss proposes are of great importance to all those who are interested in the sexual issues that affect people today.

Noted sexologist cites honesty, equality, and responsibility as key to solving to our nation's sexual dilemma. Rape, teen pregnancy, child sexual abuse, and AIDS still plague us despite new technology and increased sexual awareness. Religious leaders blame the media for our sexual problems, while others remain ignorant or in denial. Sociologist Ira L. Reiss contends that only real solutions will result in a new generation of sexual problem solvers. In "Solving America's Sexual Crises", he argues that we can reduce alarming rates of sexually transmitted disease, sexual violence and abuse, and unwanted pregnancy through responsible dialogue and co-operative action. Reiss' direct, lucid, and challenging analysis of these problems, demonstrates that our current sexual malaise emerged from Victorian attitudes, religious intolerance, ignorance, and misconceptions about sexuality. "Solving America's Sexual Crises" is a pluralistic approach, touching on everything from safe-sex to sex therapy. Only by altering our outmoded, dogmatic notions about sexuality can we begin to manage and eventually solve current and future sexual problems.