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The Centerfold Syndrome
In his articulation of the gender role strain paradigm, Pleck (1981, 1995) noted that contemporary men are plagued by role prescriptions and proscriptions that are both internally inconsistent and, in many ways, psychologically dysfunctional. The inconsistent and dysfunctional aspects of the male gender role are nowhere more obvious than in the area of male sexuality. In this chapter, I describe the Centerfold Syndrome, a set of psychosexual attitudes and behaviors that is characteristic of most heterosexual men (some more than others) as well as reflective of the many ways in which normative male sexuality is problematic.
Challenging Dominant Discourses of Male (Hetero)Sexuality: The Clinical Implications of New Voices About Male Sexuality
The tragedy of contemporary male (hetero)sexuality¹ is nowhere more apparent than in the seemingly boundless public fascination with two of the most seminal events of the late 1990s - the appearance of Viagra™ and the Clinton/Lewinsky scandal. Although media preoccupation with certain news stories can undoubtedly strain the patience of many, the media spotlight can also perform significant public service by enhancing awareness of certain critical topics. For example, the O.J. Simpson trial certainly increased attention to issues of domestic violence. The Clarence Thomas/Anita Hill confrontations heightened awareness of the multiple nuances of sexual harassment. In theory, the Viagra™ and Clinton/Lewinsky stories could similarly provoke a badly needed national conversation about the "dominant discourses" (Hare-Mustin, 1994) that shape male sexuality and ideas about sexual dysfunction.
Toward the Reconstruction Male Sexuality: A Prescription for the Future
As we noted in the Introduction, some readers may consider this book an effort to fix something that isn't really broken. They will see it as an attack on men and an effort to deprive them of their most valued characteristics. Others will concur with our view of contemporary male sexuality, but will exhort us to accept these problems as part of biological or evolutionary reality. They will urge us to accept and celebrate men's sexual "quirks"; they may believe women should loosen up and take on male sexual habits. Finally, there will be readers who share our concerns but worry that changes are foolhardy without realistic alternatives to replace what will be lost.
Read more: Toward the Reconstruction Male Sexuality: A Prescription for the Future
Is Viagra Enough? Broadening the Conceptual Lens in Sex Therapy with (Heterosexual) Men: A Case Report
To the extent one equates male sexual satisfaction with unyielding erections and enduring a sexual performance, one cannot imagine a better historical era than one that offers the seemingly perfect medicinal answer to age-old male insecurities. Unfortunately, the medicinal "miracle" of sildenafil citrate is fraught with insidious hidden problems for many men. This article presents a clinical case that illustrates this matter and highlights the multiple levels of needed intervention. It addresses the benefits and hazards of therapy interventions that treat male body parts without exploring the broader social and relational contexts.
