Routledge Contemporary Male Sexuality: Confronting Myths and Promoting Change

This accessible guide confronts myths and pressures surrounding men and sex, promoting a positive and healthy model of male sexuality that replaces traditional expectations. The chapters in this book engage with cultural assumptions about male sexuality, from harmful early messaging, to the importance of enjoying intimacy, pleasure, and eroticism over the age of 60. The authors challenge the effects of toxic masculinity and traditional gendered roles in sex, celebrating sexual diversity, confronting double standards, and empowering men and couples to develop an equitable sexual bond. Case studies and psychosexual skill exercises are integrated throughout to make each concept personal and concrete, and incorporate the Good Enough Sex (GES) model to promote an authentic sexual self throughout the lifespan. With a focus on mutual consent and pleasure, Contemporary Male Sexuality offers a new model of male sexuality that helps men and couples achieve a satisfying, secure, and sexual bond, replacing damaging expectations with healthy sexual values. Review "Barry and Emily McCarthy continue to produce high-quality, highly relevant, and extremely readable books that can be enjoyed by professional and lay readers alike. In their most recent collaboration, they address the complexities of male sexuality. Male sexuality is often misunderstood as being simple, straightforward, and unsophisticated. The authors quickly debunk that myth and recognize that male sexuality is every bit as complex and nuanced as female sexuality. With beautifully presented case studies, as well as thoughtfully designed behavioral exercises, the McCarthys have given us a book that will not only make men better men, but also make them better relationship partners. I am certain to recommend this book to many, many of my patients." – Daniel N. Watter, Ed.D., past president, The Society for Sex Therapy and Research (SSTAR). "Contemporary Male Sexuality is well written and with very clear and direct messages which are easy to understand. This will be a very valuable contribution to a new model of male sexuality from two of the most preeminent and prolific authors in the history of sex therapy." – Pedro Nobre, professor of psychology, Porto University, Portugal; president of the World Association for Sexual Health "I am pleased to have the opportunity to endorse this insightful and timely book by Barry and Emily McCarthy. In an era of changing sex roles and sexual polemics, the McCarthys offer a clear perspective and guidepost for couples. They emphasize  that  male and female sexuality are both complex and that both sexes are more similar than dissimilar. The goal should be empower both members in a relationship  to develop their mutual manner of sharing intimacy and to celebrate their uniqueness as individuals and as a couple. This is the fifteenth book co-authored by the McCarthys and written for the general public. In my opinion, this text is their best." – R. Taylor Segraves, MD, editor, Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy   "This timely book belongs on every mental health professional’s shelf, as it adds important knowledge and perspective, yet is written in a style accessible to the general public. Emily and Barry McCarthy identify the dangers of toxic male behavior and attitudes, yet sensitively express how male sexuality is more complex and nuanced than portrayed in the media; emphasizing that males do not belong on a pedestal nor should they be shamed. The McCarthys offer both a solution and a pathway to it, utilizing their models of female-male sexual equity and Good Enough Sex (GES), that promote acceptance and valuing male and couple sexuality."  – Michael A. Perelman, PhD, co-director, Human Sexuality Program and clinical professor emeritus of psychology in psychiatry,Weill Cornell Medicine, NewYork-Presbyterian   "The dynamic duo of Barry and Emily McCarthy have written another blockbuster presenting their vision for tr