Quick viewing(Text Mode)

Notebooks Esteve Foundation 42

Notebooks Esteve Foundation 42

notebooks Esteve Foundation 42

Television fiction viewed from the perspective in Television Series of medical professionals

House and Medical Diagnosis. Lisa Sanders Editor: Toni de la Torre The Knick and Surgical Techniques. Leire Losa

The Sopranos and . Oriol Estrada Rangil

The Big Bang Theory and Asperger’s Syndrome. Ramon Cererols

Breaking Bad and Methamphetamine Addiction. Patricia Robledo

Mad Men and Tobacco Addiction. Joan R. Villalbí

The Walking Dead and Epidemics in the Collective Imagination. Josep M. Comelles and Enrique Perdiguero Gil

Angels in America, The Normal Heart and Positius: HIV and AIDS in Television Series. Aina Clotet and Marc Clotet, under the supervision of Bonaventura Clotet

Nip/Tuck, Grey’s Anatomy and Plastic Surgery. María del Mar Vaquero Pérez

Masters of and . Helena Boadas

CSI and Forensic Medicine. Adriana Farré, Marta Torrens, Josep-Eladi Baños and Magí Farré

Homeland and the Emotional Sphere. Liana Vehil and Luis Lalucat Series Medicine in Television

Olive Kitteridge and Depression. Oriol Estrada Rangil

True Detective and the Attraction of Evil. Luis Lalucat and Liana Vehil

Polseres vermelles and Cancer. Pere Gascón i Vilaplana

ISBN: 978-84-945061-9-2 9 788494 506192 42 Notebooks of the Esteve Foundation Nº 42

Masters of Sex and Sexology

Helena Boadas

What might seem like an excuse for screening another controversial and polemic series with high-voltage sex appeal is actually one of the best reflections on scientific method to appear on the small screen. Based on the biography Thomas Maier wrote on and Virginia Johnson, the couple who convulsed the academic sphere in the nineteen-fifties and sixties with their studies on the human sexual response cycle, this series premiered in 2013 on cable network Showtime (Dexter, Homeland). It is an accurate and truthful retelling partially thanks to the chemistry between its leading actors, and .

“In 1956, a national renowned specialist career, commits the indiscretion of becoming met a former nightclub singer. Ten years later, interested in human sexual response. Studies they published a scientific study, which revolu- in in this period centered on the birth tionized our understanding of .” of children, avoiding the process by which they Opening with these two sentences, this se- were conceived. He had patients who asked him ries set in the fifties −the first scene offers us a what they could do if they felt pain during coitus, gala dinner with fabulous fifties automobiles, fif- if they did not reach , or felt no pleasure. ties dresses and fifties music– has us ordering Frustrated because his best answer was to “take in a pizza to remain glued to the sofa for hours a lover”, “get used to it”, or “change your hus- on end. But , furthermore, has band”, Doctor Masters realized there was a need an added value that makes it even more inter- to shed light on sexuality. The fact he had worked esting from my viewpoint: it is a real story. And with one of Kinsey’s disciples at the start of his one that is quite true to life. Because Masters’ career no doubt increased his interest in this field. and Johnson’s story was essentially the one the Kinsey had also revolutionized the history of sex- series tells. uality several years before . Readers may know of Kinsey’s studies, or have seen the film based on his life and work, entitled How did it all start? Kinsey, containing a lot of similarities to the series On one hand, we have Virginia Johnson, 32, Masters of Sex. It likewise conveys a clear idea of thrice-divorced, with two kids from her last mar- the developmental extent of the history of sexual- riage to a , who had devoted her life to ity at the time. Yet for now let us return to Doctor singing until the year before. She is now working Masters, who is trying to begin studying human as a secretary at Washington University School of sexual response. Medicine, in Saint Louis, Missouri, filling in medi- Throughout medicine’s history, forbidden terri- cal insurance. She has studies in music and has tories have existed. It is as if humanity needed to begun studying at the University. reserve part of the body for the realm of mystery, Meanwhile, Doctor William H. Masters, nearly the unknown, even the magical. Within this por- 40, an obstetrician at the same hospital, after tion, in this unpredictable space, we store every- more than ten years of an impeccable medical thing we do not know, or cannot properly explain.

-85- Masters of Sex and Sexology

First it was the brain, then the heart. In the US in has the experience, the broadness of mind and the nineteen-fifties, it was the turn of sex. (Allow the frankness that Doctor Masters needs. Thus me a brief parenthesis: in an article on migraines by their collaboration begins −though Virginia has the neurologist Arturo Goicoechea, I recently read practically no university studies nor the slightest that this magical territory is once again the brain. knowledge of – which will continue into Naturally, sex is not it, but the brain? Is it a magi- the 1990s, almost to the end of both their lives. cal territory? It seems so. It seems that it is help- What methodologies does the scientific study ful for us to be able to make statements such as use? In general, case studies, surveys, direct ob- “We only use 10% of our mental capacity”, or “We servation and the experimental method. So as Al- know practically nothing of the brain”, because we fred Kinsey used surveys, Masters and Johnson allow space for the unknown, the unexplainable use direct observation. And they do not have it and the unhoped for –in short, for magic. Close easy. Because observing the digestion process brackets.) We said that in the US of the time, this of somebody who has eaten an apple, for ex- forbidden territory was sex. It did not exist, and ample, is not the same as observing how this almost could not be mentioned. Doctor Masters same subject responds to . In was obliged to work with prostitutes because he the series, we see how their study causes an up- had no other option. In the second scene of the roar in the university hospital. We all know that series, we see him shut in a cupboard spying on something interesting is going on in that office, a prostitute with a client, measuring the client’s but nobody knows exactly what. We even see sexual response, his timer in his hand. Working an attractive young doctor auscultating the wall with prostitutes caused many logistical problems, with his stethoscope. Here, in this difficult terri- aside from the fact that a sexual relationship be- tory, is where Doctor Masters and Virginia John- tween a prostitute and her client is not represen- son discover that their natures, their skills and tative of sexual relations in general. Furthermore, working methods complement each other so as most of them were affected by chronic pelvic to form a formidable team. All the aspects of Vir- congestion, a factor that also skewed the results. ginia’s character listed above are added to those Finally, after much insistence, the doctor manages of Masters: he is obsessive, demanding, rigor- to convince Willard Allen, his department boss at ous, meticulous, not greatly enamored of social Washington University, to include his study in the relations, of few words and very serious, though university. Allen warns him that it could be profes- one should not forget his subtle sense of humor. sional suicide, but the project goes ahead. These different natures of Masters and Johnson Doctor Masters needs an assistant and his are very well represented in the series, except, secretary does not fit the right profile. In the first in my opinion, in one respect. In the character of episode, we see her dressed in a green suit Doctor Masters that Michael Sheen plays, there conveying that hard-to-describe air –one having is a toughness that I am not sure the real person nothing to do with beauty– which certain women displayed. The strict and serious demeanor of a give off, as if they have begun to distance them- man of few words does not imply such sometimes selves from life, from pleasure. Doctor Masters’ unpleasant toughness, which I have not found in assistant must be a special woman. He knows any biography on William H. Masters. They rather that no female doctor would accept the position speak of his great humanity and warm capacity because it would compromise her reputation and for understanding. However, except for this facet, career. This is when Virginia appears in his of- both characters are well represented. fice as if by magic, deploying all her sensuality. They discuss the job position, their ex-husbands, Masters and Johnson’s importance and sex. “Before you leave, tell me, why would a in the history of sexology woman fake an orgasm?”. “To get a man to cli- max quickly. Usually so the woman can get back Was their work truly as relevant as the series de- to it is she’d rather be doing.” Virginia picts? Yes, it was. Absolutely. Their studies re-

-86- Notebooks of the Esteve Foundation Nº 42

Medicine in Television Series

vealed a clear before-and-after situation in the Now muscular tension, blood pressure, heart study of human sexuality. Furthermore, they laid rate and breathing accelerate more and more the foundations for the of the until orgasm is reached. Tension has reached its sixties. To start with, they managed to collect peak and is freed with this explosion. Involuntary highly accurate information on the physiological contractions occur of the man’s penis, the wom- changes in the human sexual response cycle. an’s , and the anal sphincter in both. Men Moreover, they defined these phases: excite- ejaculate –although not always! It is not so com- ment, plateau, orgasm and resolution (Fig. 1). All mon, but orgasm may occur without these data were key in order to profoundly un- in men. In women it is the opposite: normally vis- derstand the human sexual response cycle, es- ible ejaculation does not occur, though in some pecially to be able to treat possible dysfunctions. cases it does, composed of a mixture of urine Let us examine these phases in detail. and vaginal fluids. In the first, excitement, we observe an in- It seems that is currently crease in heart rate and temperature. Vasocon- in fashion in , however, be warned: gestion of the pelvic area means that men ex- most female ejaculation in porn videos is false: perience an and in women, the vagina the actresses use tricks to simulate ejaculation. It expands and is lubricated. and is important to know this because such fashions also become larger. can cause a great deal of in When the excitement reaches its peak, all the who think that certain practices or phe- changes are maintained at this highest level. This nomena are common, so they feel obligated to is the phase known as plateau, characterized by try and replicate them. In fact, yes, some women an intense feeling of pleasure. Though the per- experience ejaculation, but they are definitely not ception is one of calm, in this phase muscular the majority. Furthermore, these are tension increases and this is when the sex flush substantially more modest than those we see occurs (some areas of the body, normally the on-screen. Many sexual problems arise from pre- chest and cheeks, redden). Secretion of vaginal conceptions or false ideas we have in our minds fluid increases in women and men tend to feel an about sexuality. So in Masters and Johnson’s intense urge to ejaculate. This phase’s duration is time, such false ideas generally arose from a lack highly variable. Some couples extend it to enjoy of information. Nowadays, we suffer from the op- this interval of pleasure for as long as they can posite: we have vast amounts of sexual informa- (moving very slowly, stopping for a few seconds, tion; the problems come from not understanding using gentler stimulation, or changing position, or digesting it well. Pornography is a source of etc.). In general, women have the capability to pleasure if used well: it can liven up our extend this period for longer than men. with just a click. The danger is forming a mistak- en idea of sexuality. This occurs often, because the models in pornography, though exciting to watch, are generally far from authentic sexuality. But let us return to the orgasm. As well as Orgasm the physical response, an emotional response Plateau also occurs. The bond between the couple in- creases through the release of certain hormones and through their union, which always signifies shared pleasure. This huge emotional release Excitement may be experienced as sobbing, crying out, or Resolution even laughter. Each of us expresses it in our own Start way. Both men and women can experience more than one orgasm in every sexual relation. The Figure 1. Diagram of the human sexual response cycle. male, if he has ejaculated, needs what is called

-87- Masters of Sex and Sexology

a (a period of rest before get- was, without a doubt, their . In fact, ting excited again). Women are fortunate in never most of today’s effective sex therapies were cre- requiring this; they can have one orgasm after ated through continuing Masters and Johnson’s another. After the orgasm (or ), little by pioneering work. Their fundamental ideas remain little normal physical and psychological activity is 100% valid and their proposal continues to be ef- reestablished: this is the resolution phase. Vital fective, while being adapted to today’s needs and signs recover their equilibrium and a sensation of to new contributions and innovations. relaxation and general wellbeing takes over. It is important to clarify that sexual dysfunc- Masters and Johnson defined these four tions, the object of the therapy Masters and phases −excitement, plateau, orgasm and res- Johnson proposed, are just a small part of a olution– but, in fact, they omitted one, the first broad spectrum of possible problems related and essential phase: desire. Without desire, the to sex. The list would be extremely long. We sexual response cannot begin. Sexologist Hel- could mention: patterns of problematic behav- len Kaplan added it to the list in 1979, though, ior (, , sexual aggression, in fact, Masters and Johnson had already spo- compulsive sexual behavior, risky behavior, etc.); ken of it. They specifically defend a concept of problems; syndromes related to sexuality based on a couple’s relationship, a violence and victimization (due to in couple who communicate, far removed from the childhood, or , purely mechanical exercise that sexual relations sexual phobias, etc.); syndromes related to repro- can sometimes become, a concept including de- duction (due to sterility, unwanted , sire. So, despite not including it in their list, it can , etc.); and sexually transmitted in­ be inferred between the lines, especially in their fections, among many other problems and con- later studies. Despite all this, however, the merit ditions. Some of these disorders can be treated of having correctly included it in the phases of through therapy, though not all. One must always sexual excitement lies with Kaplan. seek a suitable professional for each case, and In men, excitement generally occurs faster, but often an interdisciplinary approach is required. the duration of the plateau is shorter and more- Leaving aside this spectrum of diverse prob- over drops sharply. In women, excitement occurs lems related to sex, I want to focus on the aim more gradually and is maintained for longer, but of Masters and Johnson’s therapy: sexual dys- they also have the capacity to extend the plateau functions. We speak of when and their orgasms. Furthermore, their des­cent is difficulty exists during any phase of an individual’s gradual (Fig. 1). sexual response (desire, excitement, plateau, or- All these data were significant to fully under- gasm or resolution) and this sexual response sig- stand the human sexual response cycle and, nificantly deteriorates. This is a weak definition, above all, to treat possible dysfunctions. I say but to date we do not have a better one. “above all” because Masters and Johnson’s most Classic sexology distinguishes between male important contribution to the history of sexology and female sexual dysfunctions (Table 1). Al-

Table 1. Sexual dysfunctions.

Women Men

General sexual dysfunction (frigidity) (impotence)

Vaginismus

Orgasmic dysfunction

Ejaculatory incompetence

Ejaculation without orgasm

-88- Notebooks of the Esteve Foundation Nº 42

Medicine in Television Series

though this classification is already outdated, it to the lack of a bodily response at the moment of continues to be used, and therefore is useful to excitement (problems of tumescence), with the know. So traditionally, women experience three orgasm, or else with pain during sexual relations. sexual dysfunctions: general sexual dysfunction It is useful to note that the incapacity to achieve refers to a lack of desire or excitement, and to the or maintain an erection and the absence of vagi- incapability of feeling pleasure; is an nal lubrication have exactly the same origin. Each involuntary contraction of the vagina that makes expression of a dysfunction has its peculiarities in penetration impossible; orgasmic dysfunction is each sex and each person, of course, but it is im- the inability to have orgasms. Where men are portant to understand that common origin. Only concerned, five dysfunctions are described: vaginismus is an exclusively female dysfunction, erectile dysfunction is an incapability or difficulty in its own category. of maintaining an erection; premature ejacula- It goes without saying that where sexual tion is an early ejaculation, shortly after beginning health ends and dysfunctions begin is highly sub- penetration, while delayed ejaculation is the op- jective. At what point does a man, a woman, or a posite phenomenon; lastly, there are men who couple decide that his orgasm occurs too soon? can have an orgasm but cannot ejaculate (ejacu- It may be that a specific time for one couple signi- latory incompetence) and the opposite, men who fies a problem, but not for another. At what point can ejaculate but not experience an orgasm. does her orgasm occur too late? The answer is At first sight, sexual dysfunction in men and in the same. One couple will seek solutions and will women seem very different, but in fact this is not adapt; while another will experience it as a prob- so. Modern sexual research proposes a fresh, lem that affects their sex life. Often there is a clear much more accurate classification of dysfunc- problem, such as vaginismus, or the lack of an tions. We now understand that, since sexual re- erection stopping penetration, but things are not sponse in men and women is practically identical, always so obvious. Sex can be enjoyed even so are their dysfunctions (Table 2). without an erection. In sexology, we understand Current sexology, then, explains that, though that each couple is a world unto themselves and expressed differently, sexual dysfunctions in men we are simply here to help people enjoy their sex- and women are the same. They may be related uality. Above all, nobody should suffer as a result

Table 2.

· Disorders of sexual desire: alike in both . · Problems of tumescence: − In women: these occur as a lack of . − In men: these occur as a lack of penile erection. · Problems of orgasm: − Depending on the time of appearance: Shortly after commencing coitus: In women this is not considered a problem. In men it is considered a dysfunction if it is too early in his, her or both of their opinions. A long time after commencing coitus: In men this is not considered a problem. In women it is considered a dysfunction if it is too late in his, her or both of their opinions. − Absence of orgasm: alike in both sexes. · Disorders of sexual pain: alike in both sexes. · Vaginismus: a disorder exclusive to women.

-89- Masters of Sex and Sexology

of their sex life. Often consultations are solved by eliminate the habit of . In the early an hour’s conversation in which some false belief twentieth century, defended onan- is discarded. Sometimes it is that easy. ism to help recover natural sexual function. It also Until Masters and Johnson, sexual problems seems quite shocking that, following Galenus’s were classified as medicine or psychiatry. In other recommendations, some of his psychoanalytical words; problems were classed as purely physio­ colleagues in masturbated their female logical or as mental health disorders. Attempts patients in therapy sessions. This type of therapy were made to resolve the former with medical is currently prohibited by codes of ethics. What treatments, and the latter basically through psy- all of these examples point to is that often, what choanalysis, without very effective results. What doctors or therapists call natural is, in fact, a val- Masters and Johnson did was to give sexual diffi- ue concealed by a supposed scientific truth. It culties a human and especially a relational dimen- is very difficult −perhaps impossible– to establish sion. They understood that a sexual problem was what constitutes “natural sexuality” according to a problem of the couple, not just one person. scientific criteria, and almost always ideological, And that is how they treated it: the therapeutic moral or cultural criteria come into play. object was the couple’s relationship. To give an One sensational example of the connections example: until that time, if a man had problems between and morality is the following. achieving an erection, physical causes were It occurred in 1973 and was the greatest suc- sought within medicine; or else he was treated cess in medicine, almost a miracle: millions of by psychoanalysis to discover the origin of his people were cured at a stroke, one afternoon. impotence. After Masters and Johnson, such How? They simply chose to delete homosexual- erectile dysfunction was considered a problem ity from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of within the couple’s relationship: perhaps the man Mental Disorders (DSM), which describes mental felt pressured, was scared of failure, or of losing disorders. Its editions are updated every several his partner. Or any other reason within the rela- years, and although it has been highly criticized tionship sphere might be considered (naturally, because it medicalizes behaviors that perhaps once having eliminated any medical problems). should not be medicalized, such as homosexual- This change of approach signified a revolution in ity in its time, it is the manual that psychiatrists treating sexual dysfunction. and psychologists currently use. Nowadays, ho- The fact that their therapy contained no trace mosexuality is no longer a , but it was. of dogmatism or arrogance was a key factor in its Who can assure us that what we currently think effectiveness. Because sex therapy has a pitfall: of as (or , as former per- what is normal, natural or healthy sexuality? Who versions are called) will not be included among establishes this? Is it possible for scientific criteria natural sexual behaviors in a few years? It will to be combined with cultural ones? Is it possible depend on a combination of the science, culture that the therapist unknowingly functions accord- and morality of the period. In fact, this is simply ing to his or her morality? a conflict between the individual and . The Let us take the example of masturbation sex therapist uses training, information and com- throughout history. In ancient Rome, the re- mon sense to find the exact point, the best equi- nowned Greek doctor, Aelius Galenus, recom- librium possible. mended that therapists masturbate their fe- Masters and Johnson developed a sex ther- male patients to recover their health. Yet in the apy that strives to put aside moral prejudices to eighteenth century, the Swiss doctor Samuel view the couple exactly as they are and under- Tissot, though brilliant in other areas, was con- stand each sexual problem within their circum- vinced that masturbation caused very serious ill- stances, with huge amounts of common sense. nesses. In the nineteenth century, many women Yet although Masters and Johnson managed underwent an ablation of the (as well as to take sexual dysfunctions out of the context in Europe and in America until very recently) to of medicine and psychiatry, it is clear they did

-90- Notebooks of the Esteve Foundation Nº 42

Medicine in Television Series

not arrive there by themselves. Several research- able manner of explaining sexuality and counter- ers prior to them began to lay down the bases ing myths and . of what would become modern sexology. Pos- sibly the most important of them was Alfred C. “In order to function sexually, a person Kinsey, the first researcher to speak of sexual needs only a reasonable of general habits in scientific terms. This was an almost good health and an interesting and revolutionary act. He conducted questionnaires interested partner.” with thousands of men and women, each con- taining hundreds of questions. The interviewers As mentioned, Masters and Johnson’s work be- were very well selected, even knowing the ques- gan to lay the foundations for the sexual revolu- tions by heart, and the questionnaires were well tion. It goes without saying that the sexual revo- designed, so that the research was thoroughly lution meant huge freedom for men and women valid. His results brought to light habits that (above all the latter). One could speak of equality supposedly did not exist. For example, sexual of the sexes, the appearance of the contraceptive encounters outside were found to be pill and, in many countries, free . With the frequent, masturbation was quite common and sexual revolution, different types of sexuality were many people had had occasional homosexual normalized, including extramarital relations, chil- experiences. One of Kinsey’s successes was to dren born out of wedlock, homosexual or single- create a scale for classifying one’s degree of het- parent families, and even same-sex marriage. All erosexuality versus . This fact was this was extremely necessary and was fabulous. revolutionary, because until that time the popu- However, there is a large “but”. The sexual rev- lation were classed as homosexual or hetero- olution stems from the freedom to have sexual sexual. However, Kinsey’s research showed that relationships with whomever we want, and that this division is not possible: is is good, but we have reached a point that was a continuum that stretches from pure heterosex­ unforeseen in the original sexual liberation: the uality to pure homosexuality. Each and every one of us is situated at some point on this continu- um. The (Fig. 2) is still used in some questionnaires on sexuality, and all the informa- tion in his surveys, published in two volumes, is very valuable. After Masters and Johnson, and above all from the sexual revolution onward, sexuality became normalized and studies have become Homosexuality common (Durex Sex Survey, Encuesta de salud y hábitos sexuales from the Spanish National 01 2 3456 Institute of Statistics, studies by the Spanish Kinsey Scale Federation of Sexology , etc.). Perhaps 0: Exclusively heterosexual the last study that constituted a social change 1: Predominantly heterosexual, was ’s, published in the sixties, which only incidentally homosexual 2: Predominantly heterosexual, builds on Masters and Johnson’s and Kinsey’s but more than incidentally homosexual studies. Hite conducted thousands of question- 3: Equally heterosexual and homosexual naires on attitudes and sexual behaviors in men 4: Predominantly homosexual, and women. The Hite Report was criticized for a but more than incidentally heterosexual 5: Predominantly homosexual, lack of statistical and data processing accuracy. only incidentally heterosexual In fact, this is true, because more than an analy- 6: Exclusively homosexual sis it is a compendium of stories. Yet it is likewise hugely important, because it is an extremely valu- Figure 2. Kinsey Scale.

-91- Masters of Sex and Sexology

trivialization of sexual relations. Sex is an act reasonable state of general good health and an of deep and intimate communication that has interesting and interested partner”. physical and emotional consequences. Remov- ing such importance from sex and turning it into What happened to Masters and Johnson? a mere act of physical release is causing −para- doxically– the same problems that stem from be- At the time of writing this chapter, two seasons ing forced to have sexual relations in a marriage of Masters of Sex have been screened while a we do not want to be part of. third is in production. Nevertheless, since we Masters and Johnson, in their later works, know Masters’ and Johnson’s real lives, I can spoke of that intimate connection, of the pro- tell you that (spoiler alert!) he finally got divorced found dialog between two bodies that transcends from Libby, with whom he had three children. mere physical contact. They themselves experi- Doctor Masters and Virginia Johnson were mar- enced such a communion with each other. And ried in 1971. The clinic which they had opened they chose each other, even while Doctor Masters in Saint Louis a year earlier became the Masters was still married. One reading is that the quest for and Johnson Institute in 1978. They worked to- a sexuality that goes beyond a physical release gether until 1992. Virginia, at 60 years old, keen can be interpreted as a conservative, outdated, to enjoy her final years, her family life and to trav- almost puritanical stance. I believe it is the oppo- el, became weary of a husband who spent al- site: it now seems to be the more revolutionary most his entire day locked in his office working. act. Sexual liberation has provided the very free- In 1993, they divorced. A year later, William, ill dom to do what we want. Now we must choose with Parkinson’s, retired and remarried, this time well. This does not necessarily mean choosing a to an old flame from his childhood. The Masters partner to get married. We can choose to have and Johnson Institute closed its doors in 1994, sexual relations with someone of the same sex, though Virginia kept working almost right up to with two people, or simply not have them with her death. anybody. Why not? We can do what we wish. But Doctor William H. Masters died in 2001, and it must have some purpose and, above all, make Virginia Johnson in 2013. us feel good. Nowadays, we see many women in the consulting room who believed in this half- baked sexual revolution along Sex and the City Bibliography published lines, who do not choose their sexual partners by the researchers cited well because they never learned to discriminate −− Human Sexual Response. Masters and Johnson, 1966. in that sense. The result (naturally, avoiding moral −− Human Sexual Inadequacy. Masters and Johnson, judgment of any kind) is that they feel bad. People 1970. −− The Pleasure Bond. Masters and Johnson, 1974. are capable of experiencing vast sexual pleasure if −− Sexual Behavior in the Human Male. , the partner we are with (in whatever form, wheth- 1948. er a marriage, friendship, de-facto, or −− Sexual Behavior in the Human Female. Alfred Kinsey, partner) acknowledges us. If they recognize us. If 1953. we like them and they like us. −− The Hite Report on Female Sexuality. Shere Hite, 1976. −− The Hite Report on Men and Male Sexuality. Shere Hite, Doctor Masters, at the end of his life, said: “In 1981. order to function sexually, a person needs only a −− The New Sex Therapy. Helen Kaplan, 1974.

-92-

Top View