Sexuality Now: Embracing Diversity

by Janell L. Carroll

The second edition of this highly praised human sexuality text continues to be a product of author Janell Carroll's partnership with her students to answer the questions and concerns that they have about themselves and their sexuality with scientific fact, sensitivity, humor and unmatched candor. Janell Carroll clearly conveys foundational biological and health issues, extensively cites both current and classic research, and addresses all material in a fresh and fun way; her book helps teach students what they need, and want, to know about sexuality. Her focus takes into account the social, religious, ethnic, racial, and cultural contexts of today's students. Dr. Carroll has used feedback from the first edition to add even further value to this popular title-streamlining student pedagogy and providing dynamic learning opportunities through Active Summaries at the end of chapters, a new online student tutorial, new video components, and content for Classroom Response Systems. This continues to be the text most representative of today's students, incorporating new sexual position art, a new pronunciation guide, and (for instructors) a new cross-cultural Slang Guide.

Genres: Textbooks, Nonfiction, Sexuality, Psychology, School, Education, Sociology

704 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2004

Reviews

[Emma · Rating 2 out of 5]

I want to say I liked it, because it was really comprehensive, which is often missing in sexology books (at least according to my instructor, I haven't read a lot on the subject). I'm thinking specifically on how it was very interdisciplinary (sociology, cognitive, behaviouralist, biology, many more). That said, it also featured theories and schools of thought which are no longer used, and it could have used less time on those and just mentioned them instead of lingering as if they are equal to new schools of thought and theories that is supported by better understanding and respect and more scientific evidence. (...It was a bit long and I've been considering what parts I would have left out).

However, it had a few things that annoyed me, even though it is probably a general lack of study in the area instead of this specific author not being thorough enough. This was especially evident concerning LGBTQ+, though personally I mostly noticed it in regards to wlw/lesbian parts of it. Carroll tries hard to balance between respectful scientific explanations and pathologizing gender and sexuality that is not cis or hetero. It could be better, it could be worse. If you're looking for a nuanced study of gender and sexuality I would recommend the internet over this, but if you're just starting and not LGBTQ+ it could be a good gateway, I guess.

It felt a little pretentious, overall, but Carroll did seem knowledgable about the subject.

It was very large and unwieldy, which made reading it frustrating. It's physically large, fairly thick, and soft-cover, meaning it needs a (large) flat service to read or a lot of manoeuvring.

Too expensive!! If it's for class I would wait to see if it's absolutely necessary before buying it. If you can rent it or resell it, I guess that's an option.

I feel like I'm being very critical right now, but there was some genuinely interesting things in it! I am probably biased since I didn't realise what exactly Human Sexuality class would be about before taking it, and it apparently includes a lot more biology and chemistry than I feel like I signed up for! And it also helped me discover that though I like most social sciences, I'm not into psychology.

BTW, if you can't handle graphic images of sex, nudity, STIs, etc this is not the book for you. Personally, I would have been fine with it if I had been more prepared to see them or read about difficult subjects. I would probably look for a trigger warning list, if I could recommend something to my future self, but off the top of my head: genital mutilation (female, male, intersex), STIs, death, paedophilia, other paraphilias (benign and less so), death, rape and assault, children being subjected to these as well, and stories/accounts from adults and children who have been through these things, as well as accounts and stories of perpetuators, whom sometimes try to excuse or rationalise or justify these.

[Tabitha Donaghue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this text especially great because while it assumes that all humans are equal beings and much more similar to one another than they are different, it takes time in each module of learning to individually address women's perspectives, men's perspectives, gay and trans perspectives, and young adult and elderly adult perspectives.

[Marlee · Rating 2 out of 5]

While certainly not the worst textbook I've ever read, it's definitely pretentious, preachy, and long-winded. I also have an outdated edition, so I'm sure statistics (and sensitivities) have changed in recent years. It didn't help that this was for a class that I absolutely hated. That may have tainted my opinion just a bit. In conclusion, although I learned a few things, my fondest memory of this book is closing it forever.

[Christie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Of all the thousands of books written about sexuality, this was the one picked for our text book? Blech. Hated it. Hated it all. Has an agenda. HATED IT. Read David Schnarch, Jennifer Finlayson-Fife, Emily Nagoski, Terry Real. SKIP THIS PSEUDO INTELLECTUAL DRIBBLE. (I did learn a lot from it, I just prefer to learn without blatant biases.)

[Jessie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hard to call any textbook that is required reading anything other than "just okay".

[Lenny Husen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read most/half of this text. It is a decent text with a lot of cool boxes and other bells and whistles, but overall, could be better. I will keep reading it and if will change my review later if indicated.
Some information is lacking, for example, the brief paragraph on Asexuality should have been omitted entirely if the author knows that little about it.
I will keep this book as a reference.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this when I took the Human Sexuality course at the local junior college. Extremely informative, up-to-date, well written and very interesting!

[Shawn Kass · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting college class, but I found very little new material. Most of it was stuff I already knew.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

For my Human Sexuality class. It was a more engaging text than most textbooks, but overall I don't feel like I learned a ton.