Teaching Sex: The Shaping of Adolescence in the 20th Century. By Jeffrey P. Moran. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2000. ix + 281 pages, bibliography, index. Hardback, ISBN 0-674-00227-X, $27.95.

Abstract

material for this book. As in any non-randomized survey such as this one, the reader must not be lured into the comfort zone of being able to generalize women's sexuality based on the Ellison-Zilbergeld findings. The women in Women's Sexualities are far from "average": a high percentage had attended some college, including 40% who had done some graduate work or had a graduate degree (unlike most American women), and 83% were Caucasian. As Ellison herself disclaims: "Please keep in mind that our statistics and other research findings describe the particular group of women we survey, not American women in general" (p. 7). The narrative of the book encompasses women's stories, information from the research studies, and Dr Ellison's comments and advice. Ellison puts it this way: "Women's Sexualities is a guide to self-understanding and self-acceptance ... a source of information that will deepen your understanding of pleasurable lovemaking and enhance your love making skills" (p. 2). Ellison also states that this book is "a facilitator for sexual decision making" and "a stimulus for discussion" (p. 2). A unique feature is the section at the end of each chapter titled, "What Does This Mean to You?" Here the reader is encouraged to respond to a list of questions relevant to that chapter. Ellison suggests that the readers record their thoughts and feelings in a separate notebook or binder as they proceed through the book. Overall, two themes emerge. One is self-acceptance as a key to accepting our sexual selves. The other is the benefit of learning from the intergenerational dialogue that takes place throughout the text. Ellison observes, "Patterns emerge and by paying attention to those patterns you can learn from these women's collective experience how to experience your own sexuality and accept your sexual self more completely" (p. 5). One of the most interesting chapters is "Sexual Concerns and Problems of American Women," particularly the section, "Problems Related to Physical Responsiveness" (pp. 266-270). Here, Ellison offers an original twist to the often-cited "lack of sexual desire" scenario. Although she did find that desire I frequency was an important sexual concern, physical responsiveness and lovemaking also ranked high. She breaks these problems into two categories: three concerns that had to do with lack of desire in a woman's partner, and three with her own lack of desire. She then provides practical remedies for each of these concerns. In another section, she discusses an aspect of "sexual concerns and problems" that usually gets little ink, but one that is high on the list of sexual problems of "women who weren't born yesterday" : lack of a partner with whom to be sexual (p. 276). This topic relates nicely to another especially interesting chapter: "Solo Eroticism: Masturbation and Fantasy," with an indepth discussion of why women masturbate. In the vein of "use it or lose it," one respondent explained: "Because I'm getting old and I want to keep the engine running" (p. 188). The last chapter, "Sexual Self-Acceptance," is a strong wrap-up to the advice that has been given throughout the book. Worth noting is the discussion on "Another Look at What We Want Our Daughters to Know." This short but significant section challenges women to pass along a more affirming and enlightening message about female sexuality to young women than they themselves experienced. Although the title, Women's Sexualities: Generations of Women Share Intimate Secrets of Sexual Self-Acceptance, promises a provocative and perhaps even a bit of a titillating read, it isn't. For sexologists, there are very few surprises here. The women's stories are pretty much what we have been reading about in other venues. And their sexual fantasies and experiences seem tame compared to the descriptions of women's sex lives burning up the pages of best-selling novels. Clearly, this book isn't really meant to be "sexy." Its vitality is in the way solid information is offered in a gentle, soothing manner. Women's Sexualities is an excellent guidebook for women who want to learn about other women's sexual experiences as a way to broaden their own sexual horizons. Because it expands our knowledge of how women themselves experience and express their sexuality, this book is also a good reference source for clinicians and educators.