This book grew out of a Kinsey Institute workshop, at which 30 or so invited guests summarized their previously circulated papers on childhood sexuality. The volume includes both the papers and the discussion. Historian Philip Jenkins opens by emphasizing what he called the research pendulum on childhood sexuality: interest in the subject has swung several times between intense concern and research and virtual neglect. Clearly, childhood sexuality is now a popular topic. Essays address methodological issues and the importance of getting a wide variety of subjects. The two concluding papers summarize problems and prospects: Diane di Mauro outlines a pattern for future research but also emphasizes the importance of finding ways of disseminating the findings to the public and interested groups; Bancroft, the editor of the collection, reemphasizes the lack of knowledge about sexual development of children and urges that developing more effective methods of studying the subject should be a priority. The book as a whole takes a major step forward in opening up research and discussion on the subject. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper—division undergraduates through faculty; professionals; general readers.
V. L. Bullough
Choice
The book as a whole takes a major step forward in opening up research and discussion on the subject. Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty; professionals; general readers.July 2004
Choice