Resurrecting Sex:Resolving Sexual Problems, Rejuvenating Your RelationshipBook Review by Anne E. SteinThe following review appeared in the Chicago Tribune on Sunday, January 12, 2003.Americans often joke that marriage is a death knell for a flourishing sex life. But you needn't be married to have trouble with sex. In fact, writes clinical psychologist and sex/marital therapist Dr. David Schnarch in "Resurrecting Sex," "I've long known that sexual unhappiness is widespread. Sexual dysfunctions and dissatisfactions are rampant among normal, healthy couples." Besides the stories he has heard in 20-plus years of practice, two recent phenomena bore out Schnarch's theory. First it was the popularity of Viagra, the easily administered and readily accessible erection medication. Skyrocketing sales made journalists and others realize that there's trouble in America's beds. Second was the Internet. Therapists started hearing complaints from clients that spouses (or they themselves) preferred masturbating on-line to having partnered sex, writes the author. "As complaints grew, the scope of unhappy marriages and sexually barren relationships became more apparent." Need statistics? The National Health and Social Life Survey of 1,749 women and 1,410 men ages 18 to 59 reported that 43 percent of women and 31 percent of men reported having a sexual problem in the prior year. Half of all those surveyed have difficulty with sexual desire; 17 percent of men and 11 percent of women report being anxious about their sexual performance. And so on. All this is to say that Schnarch views sexual problems as normal, which should immediately reassure any reader in need of help. Schnarch has been there too, suffering at one time or another from issues ranging from premature orgasm to getting and maintaining erections. "Having looked for information and felt patronized, dehumanized, and pathologized, I've made sure this book offers you a different experience. This book is what I wished someone would have given me," he writes. Filled with ideas and examples from client couples, Schnarch looks at the connection between feelings, thoughts, and interpersonal dynamics and sexual problems, He explains and guides readers of all ages, personality types and sexual orientations through a number of common sexual dissatisfaction issues and how to resolve them. Schnarch also discusses his model of human sexuality; how intimate relationships work, change and can be strengthened by resolving sexual problems, and medical options for improving sexual performance and the drugs that interfere with satisfying sex. Whether a reader's sexual difficulties are new or old, not too severe or seemingly hopeless, Schnarch's book should provide hope and ideas to help sufferers escape from their sexual quagmire. All materials, and contents of this website, unless otherwise noted, are copyright 1991-2008 by
David Schnarch, Ph. D. All rights reserved. Intellectual property laws also apply. No reproduction for any
reason is permitted.
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