Male Sexuality

At first glance the sexual male seems easy to understand, but beneath the surface lie complexities that disrupt lives and relationships. Why can men be so distant in bed? Why do many men love porn so much? And can he love porn and still love his wife? Respected psychologist Michael Bader takes an honest look at the nuances of male sexuality, addressing issues such as sexual boredom, internet sex, and sexual fantasies that can leave women bewildered and men ashamed. Illustrated with engaging examples from his practice, Male Sexuality gives readers, both women and men, deeper understanding of male behavior from the flamboyant to the mundane. Through increased awareness of the psychology behind the sex, Bader aims to enhance individual self-esteem and improve communication in relationships.

“With the publication of Male Sexuality Michael Bader firmly establishes himself in the forefront of therapists writing about sexuality. Dr. Bader seeks to understand something that is not generally understood, something that is off-limits to many, guarded by cultural dragons and censors. But he's a courageous and intrepid adventurer in search of a Holy Grail: the very core of male sexuality. His discoveries are wise, thoughtful...and controversial.”

Dr. Bader calls us back from our current temptation to censor and judge sexuality and reminds us that understanding erotic life is the best cure for what ails it. -- Kim Cattrall, Star of Sex and the City
Michael Bader's ideas are original and provocative, grounded in scholarship, and illustrated by ample case studies. He argues persuasively that sexual pursuits that look perverse and have been fodder for fear mongering and censorship might be better understood as fantasy play that reassures one against hidden fears. That he arrives at a place of optimism and compassion for our relationships and ourselves should give hope to us all. -- Phillip Freeman
Michael Bader's Male Sexuality is a fascinating and brilliant book that will appeal to men and women who wish to understand and improve their sexual relationships. The topics range from conventional marital relationships to internet sex, the use of pornography and prostitution, to romance novels, explored within the social context that conditions our attitudes toward male and female roles. Clearly and beautifully written, enlivened by vignettes from Dr. Bader's extensive clinical practice, this book is a must-read for everyone interested in what makes both male and female sexuality what it is. -- Louis Breger, The Institute of Contemporary Psychoanalysis; author of Freud: Darkness in the Midst of Vision
Michael Bader knows men. He probes the multiple layers of male sexuality with a kindness and compassion that are rare. This book is such a good read—I kept thinking 'Yes, he gets it.' -- Esther Perel, Columbia University, author of Mating in Captivity: Unlocking Erotic Intelligence
Two themes dominate: most fantasies and hang-ups are rooted in childhood, tied to men’s formative relationships and the examples set by their parents; and the exacerbating effect of feelings like guilt, responsibility and isolation that many men don’t understand. Using numerous case studies from his 25-plus years in the field, Bader returns to these themes repeatedly to explain why men are drawn to the anonymity and relatively consequence-free arena of internet sex, infidelity and younger women. He makes a number of reasoned points when it comes to sexual politics and what makes men tick....Bader’s clinical studies should prove accessible and thought-provoking among couples, singles and academics. Publishers Weekly
With the publication of Male Sexuality Michael Bader firmly establishes himself in the forefront of therapists writing about sexuality. Dr. Bader seeks to understand something that is not generally understood, something that is off-limits to many, guarded by cultural dragons and censors. But he's a courageous and intrepid adventurer in search of a Holy Grail: the very core of male sexuality. His discoveries are wise, thoughtful...and controversial. -- Phillip Kaufman, Director of The Unbearable Lightness of Being
Most useful to therapists who do insight-oriented therapy and nonacademic readers interested in this subject. Recommended. CHOICE
In this sophisticated and gripping analysis, [Bader] shows us why male sexuality behavior is often shaped by needs for love and safety that are frequently misunderstood. Tikkun

Michael Bader, DMH, is a clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst who has been in practice for over 25 years. He is a widely respected teacher, public speaker, and therapist and lives in San Francisco.

At first glance the sexual male seems easy to understand, but beneath the surface lie complexities that disrupt lives and relationships. Why can men be so distant in bed? Why do many men love porn so much? And can he love porn and still love his wife? Respected psychologist Michael Bader takes an honest look at the nuances of male sexuality, addressing issues such as sexual boredom, internet sex, and sexual fantasies that can leave women bewildered and men ashamed. Illustrated with engaging examples from his practice, Male Sexuality gives readers, both women and men, deeper understanding of male behavior from the flamboyant to the mundane. Through increased awareness of the psychology behind the sex, Bader aims to enhance individual self-esteem and improve communication in relationships.

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