Tiefer Talk

When first presented with the book, the title stood out in a powerful way. Sex is Not a Natural Act. (Oh, it's not? I both agree and disagree. I wonder where this is heading...) My thoughts initially turned to the idea that sex is a complex ritual laden with cultural influences, stigma, individual expressions, etc. I loved the idea that we would be reading about the nuances and creativity surrounding sex that had to be skillfully crafted and honed. While this notion is one that Tiefer endorses, by cleverly comparing sex to the practice of a musical instrument and presenting a social constructionist lens, the theme of the book is far less about the promotion of sex as an art form and for more a criticism against the medicalization of sex. I have long been skeptical of the medical industry for many reasons (including some of her points), but feel that my perspective on the subject of sex and medicine was greatly expended by the reading.

My Bio

Hi there and thanks for reading! My name is Carolyn and I am studying toward my M.S. in Couple and Family Therapy at the University of Rhode Island. I have previously worked for environmental education programs in Missouri, New Mexico and California and for a mentoring non-profit in Nevada. My current interest in the field of therapy was a direct result of these experiences, which showed me the depth of the importance of positive relationships. I am also volunteering as a mediator in small claims court in hopes of pursuing the field of conflict resolution and divorce mediation.