What is sexology?

This is a question I am repeatedly asked - so let me try to explain:

Sexology is the systematic study of human sexuality. Modern sexology is a multidisciplinary field which uses the techniques of fields including biology, medicine, psychology, statistics, epidemiology, pedagogy, sociology, anthropology, and sometimes criminology to bear on its subject.

It studies human sexual development and the development of sexual relationships as well as the mechanics of sexual intercourse and sexual dysfunction. Sexology encompasses all aspects of sexuality, including attempting to characterise "normal sexuality" and its variants. It also documents the sexuality of special groups, such people with a disability, children, and older adults, and studies sexual pathologies such as sex addiction and child sexual abuse.
Sexology is considered descriptive, not prescriptive: it attempts to document reality, not to prescribe what behavior is suitable, ethical, or moral.

Sex research in Sydney

I did promise to say something about our research!
Research in the Graduate Program in Sexual Health is based around the theme of "Healthy Sexuality in a lifespan perspective"
What does this mean?
It means that we believe that "all people irrespective of their gender, ability, state of health or sexual preference have the right to healthy sexuality - free of coercion, discrimination or violence"
We research in a number of areas:
1. Sexuality education
2. Sexual intimacy function and dysfunction.
3. Healthy sexuality in older adults.
4. Sexuality in people with a disability.
We would love to hear from you if you are working in these areas.
Patricia

Life in the Graduate Program in Sexual Health

I am the coordinator of the Graduate Program in Sexual Health. In this blog I will invite you to join me and my colleagues (Gomathi Sitharthan and Russell Shuttleworth) as we plan and agonise over how to best offer a great on-line learning experience and motivate students to research "Healthy Sexuality in a lifespan perspective".

You may know who I am - but for those who don't, I am a 60 year old academic, married for >34 years with one wonderful son and one wonderful hubby. I trained as a medic in Sri Lanka and then moved to sex when I did my postgraduate study in the University of Hawaii with Professor Milton Diamond.
I love what I do - my main joy is getting to know our students and watching friendships develop. We are planning a mentorship program in 2008. Do let me know if anyone has experiences in this.

Next semester should be a very interesting one - we have new students from South Africa, Malta, New Zealand and all over our lovely big brown land. I particularly enjoy the discussions on sexual rights.
More on sex research in another post.
Patricia

Sydney Morning Herald Sexperts Feature

SMH (Sydney Morning Herald)
Sexperts featuring sexologist Patricia Weerakoon

• Sexperimentation
• Sex Ed