Handbook of the Sociology of Sexualities

This volume provides researchers and scholars with a broad overview of the contributions of social psychologists and sociologists to the study of sexual relationships and sexual expression across the life course. These contributions include analyses of the dynamics of several types of contemporary sexual relationships – e.g., short-term, long-term non-exclusive, and committed.  Chapters analyze the influence of major social institutions – e.g., religion, family and economy - on them. The content and scope of this volume have been carefully chosen to balance coverage of traditional emphases – dating, marriage, commercial sex work, sex education - with new and cutting edge materials – embodiment, Trans*, asexualities. Sections review major theoretical perspectives and the principal research methods. Coverage of sexual orientation is integrated throughout. This volume provides excellent resources for anyone interested in research on sexualities.

• Body and Embodiment
• Intersectional Relationships
• Long-term and Non-exclusive Relationships
• Sex and Gender Issues
• Sexual Expression across the Life Span
• Sexual Social Changes
• Sexual Social Movements
• Sexuality and Disability
• Sexuality and Education
• Sexuality and Media
• Study of Sexual Attractions
• Study of Sexual Relationships
• Transgender and Sexuality
• sexual behaviour

• Department of Sociology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, USA

  John DeLamater

• Department of Sociology, Ithaca College, Ithaca, USA

  Rebecca F. Plante

John DeLamater brings a broad, biopsychosocial perspective to the study of sexuality through the life course. His recent work has focused on changes in sexual functioning associated with age. He has published papers on sexual desire and sexual behavior in persons aged 45 to 75+ and a paper on sexual satisfaction using data from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study (ages 62-67). His recent work considers influences on frequency of sexual activity and cessation of sexual activity among persons 57 to 85. A major review and synthesis of research on sexuality in later life appears in the Annual Review of Sex Research, 2012. He co-edited Sex for Life: From virginity to Viagra, how sexuality changes throughout our lives, NYU press. DeLamater was awarded the Alfred E. Kinsey Award for Distinguished Contributions to the field of sex research by the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality. He is the co-author of a primary text in social psychology, and another on sexuality.

Rebecca F.Plante is Associate Professor of Sociology at Ithaca College, where she teaches courses on gender, sexualities, and sexual selves. She uses intersectionalities and qualitative methods to study hooking up and college campus sexual climate change; online dating, sexuality, and intimacy among U.S. adults; the concept of positive sexual reputations; and a sociology of sexual ethics. Her books include Sexualities in Context: A Social Perspective (2e), (Routledge, forthcoming) and Doing Gender Diversity: Readings in Theory and Real-World Experience (with L. M. Maurer, Westview, 2010). Her writing has been published and reprinted in journals, books, and undergraduate course books. Plante has been a keynote and invited speaker at conferences and was featured in the documentary “Nameless” (about millennials). She has been quoted in media as diverse as Cosmopolitan magazine, Men’s Health (online), Curve, and LiveScience.com. She has also done radio and television interviews about sexuality, young adults, and relationships.

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