What will you learn from this book
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Diverse Sexual Behavior: Bering explores the wide spectrum of human sexual behavior, ranging from conventional practices to what society often labels as deviant or taboo.
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Evolutionary Perspectives: The book examines the evolutionary origins of various sexual behaviors and preferences, challenging the notion of "normalcy" and highlighting the diversity of sexual expression across cultures and species.
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Social Construction of Deviance: Bering discusses how societal norms and cultural taboos shape perceptions of sexual deviance, often stigmatizing certain behaviors or desires that fall outside the mainstream.
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Psychological Insights: The book delves into the psychological factors underlying sexual deviance, including fantasies, fetishes, and paraphilias, shedding light on the complex interplay between biology, culture, and individual psychology.
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Sexual Identity and Fluidity: Bering explores the fluidity of sexual identity and orientation, challenging rigid categories and binaries and advocating for a more inclusive understanding of human sexuality.
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Taboo Subjects: The book addresses taboo subjects such as incest, pedophilia, and zoophilia, challenging readers to confront their own biases and preconceptions while providing scientific insights into these controversial topics.
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Stigma and Shame: Bering discusses the stigma and shame often associated with sexual deviance, highlighting the negative consequences of societal judgment and advocating for greater empathy and understanding.
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Legal and Ethical Considerations: The book explores the legal and ethical implications of sexual deviance, including issues of consent, harm, and the balance between individual freedom and societal norms.
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Empathy and Compassion: Bering emphasizes the importance of empathy and compassion in addressing sexual deviance, advocating for a non-judgmental and supportive approach that prioritizes harm reduction and well-being.
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Sexuality as a Fundamental Aspect of Humanity: Overall, "Perv" challenges readers to reconsider their assumptions about sexuality and deviance, encouraging a more nuanced and compassionate understanding of human nature and sexual diversity.
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| ISBN-10 | 0857520415 |
| ISBN-13 | 9780857520418 |
| No of pages | 288 |
| Font Size | Medium |
| Book Publisher | Doubleday |
| Published Date | 13 Feb 2014 |
About Author
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In this eye-opening book, psychologist Jesse Bering argues that we are all sexual deviants on one level or another. He introduces us to the young woman who falls madly in love with the Eiffel Tower, a young man addicted to seductive sneezes, and a pair of deeply affectionate identical twins, among others. He challenges us to move beyond our attitudes towards ‘deviant’ sex and consider the alternative: what would happen if we rise above our fears and revulsions and accept our true natures?
With his signature wit and irreverent style, Bering pulls back the curtains on the history of perversions, the biological reasons behind our distaste for unusual sexual proclivities and the latest research on desire. Armed with reason, science and an insatiable appetite for knowledge, he humanises deviants while asking some provocative questions about the nature of hypocrisy, prejudice and when sexual desire can lead to harm.
A groundbreaking look at our complex relationship with our carnal urges and the ways in which we disguise, deny and shame the sexual deviant in all of us, Perv brings hidden desires into the spotlight.