Insert Sexy Title Here: Moving Toward a Sex-Positive Criminology

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 583-608 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aimee Wodda ◽  
Vanessa R. Panfil
Keyword(s):  
Positive Sexuality ◽  
Feminist Criminology ◽  
Sex Positive

Literature on sexuality in criminological contexts exists, yet much of it is sex-negative, employs a “deviance frame,” and regards many sex acts as dangerous or destructive. Although research that could be considered sex-positive has been undertaken, an explicitly sex-positive theoretical and practical framework for feminist criminology has not yet been advanced. In this article, we propose “thick desire” as a way to envision an intersectional sex-positive feminist criminology that aligns with the principles of a positive sexuality approach to research and praxis. We explore the issue of criminalization of teen sexting to begin to integrate these principles.

“They See Sex as Something That’s Reproductive and Not as Something People Do for Fun”: Shortcomings in Adolescent Girls’ Sexual Socialization from Adults

2021 ◽  
pp. 074355842110202
Author(s):  
J. L. Stewart ◽  
Kristyn Kamke ◽  
Laura Widman ◽  
Elan C. Hope
Keyword(s):  
Adolescent Girls ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Sexual Socialization ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Black African ◽  
Girls Of Color ◽  
Positive Sexuality ◽  
Sexual Choices ◽  
Sex Positive

Theorists suggest that adolescent girls’ sexual socialization can influence sexual risk reduction and positive sexuality development, although adolescent girls’ positive sexuality development is understudied. In this study, we applied a sex-positive framework to explore sexual socialization experiences among a sample of adolescent girls of color recruited from community-based organizations that serve youth with heightened needs ( n = 50; Mage = 15.62, range = 12–19; 58% Black/African American; 76% heterosexual; 58% sexually active). Specifically, we examined girls’ reports of messages about sexuality they have received from their teachers, parents, health care providers, and society at large. Participants completed brief, semi-structured qualitative interviews. Inductive thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Overall, the adolescent girls described how they navigate primarily sex-negative sexual socialization messages from adults to develop positive sexual selves. Within this narrative, we found five themes: (a) Adults deliver one-sided communication that adolescent sex is inappropriate and risky; (b) Gendered messages restrict adolescent girls’ sexuality; (c) Naive adults can’t be trusted; (d) Exclusion of same-gender sexual experiences endangers adolescents who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, and with other nonheterosexual orientations (LGBQ+); and (e) Messages about sexual protection can help but may still restrict adolescent girls’ sexual choices. Implications for adolescent girls’ positive sexuality development are discussed.

An Integrative Biopsychosocial and Sex Positive Model of Understanding and Treatment of Impulsive/Compulsive Sexual Behavior

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 125-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eli Coleman ◽  
Janna A. Dickenson ◽  
Abby Girard ◽  
G. Nicole Rider ◽  
Leonardo E. Candelario-Pérez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Behavior ◽  
Compulsive Sexual Behavior ◽  
Sex Positive

scholarly journals Studying Sex: A Content Analysis of Sexuality Research in Counseling Psychology

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 528-546 ◽  
Author(s):  
Candice Hargons ◽  
Della V. Mosley ◽  
Danelle Stevens-Watkins
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Counseling Psychology ◽  
Human Sexuality ◽  
People Of Color ◽  
Sexuality Research ◽  
Integrative Approach ◽  
Racial Groups ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Positive Perspective ◽  
Sex Positive

Using a sex-positive framework, we conducted a 61-year (1954–2015) content analysis of sexuality research featured in The Counseling Psychologist and the Journal of Counseling Psychology. We aimed to uncover (a) which human sexuality topics were published most, (b) whether the publications aligned with sex-positive, neutral, or negative discourse, (c) what methodologies were used, and (d) differences in how populations were investigated across racial groups. We used an integrative approach to the content analysis and human coding. Results highlighted in 188 articles meeting criteria, the largest focus (38%) was on sexual orientation, sexual identity, and sexual minorities; only 5% utilized a sex-positive perspective. Quantitative and conceptual articles were the most published methods, and publications disproportionately focused on non-Latino White populations. When people of color were included, the discourse was sex negative. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

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