Sexology and Eroticology

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-24-2006
Sexology and Eroticology
8
Sun, 07-30-2006 - 5:23pm

How many of you have actually thought about studying these two areas officially? Although I've been thinking about it for quite sometime and building my own little library at home, I think it'd actually be fun and fulfilling to officially study and earn my degree in the subjects. I found a website that lists pretty much all the colleges here in the states and elsewhere that offer degrees in Sexology and Eroticology. What do you guys think? Think it's worth the time and effort? I know the best experience is always personal experience, but I also know that you can learn so much in college. Right now the best program for me would be a distance learning program. There's one in San Francisco, Ca. that's looking pretty good to me right now. I want to know if any of you would seriously consider undertaking such a task. Interested in all your feedback.

Chakra

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-09-2006
Sun, 07-30-2006 - 6:09pm

First thing, I was actually quite surprised to learn that these are actually fields of study at Universities. I can totally seem them as courses offered but not a major.

Now would this be a field of study I would consider? I am pretty sure that I would not pursue a degree in these subjects, but I would most definitely be interested in taking a few courses to learn more.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-24-2006
Sun, 07-30-2006 - 6:39pm

Yea, I was actually surprised too, that they were real fields of study. However, it all makes sense that there would be an actual science that looks at human sexuality. Otherwise most of the common sense things we now know about our bodies probably wouldn't even be out there for our knowledge had it not been for years of sexual research and observation being recorded on books and tapes for our viewing. Not to mention, many sex therapist would have no authority to instruct us on a better sex life and the "how to" had they not been certified and thoroughly educated on the subject.

When I first started reading about the schools, I thought it was a bit strange and wondered just how legit they were. Some of them have been around for 40 years or longer. Particularly the European based ones. They don't just look at porn, and what sexual positions couples should try or things like that. Sex is looked at more wholistically--it encompasses sex on the mental, physical and emotional levels. Some of these programs even want their students to have Bachelor's degrees in Psychology or Health Education before pursuing a degree in sexology or the human sexual experience. Theory is that once you understand how the mind and body works, that sets the foundation for you being able to effectively help a person with a sexual dysfunction--because many are mentally based rather physically. The programs not only cover the basic understanding of the human sexual experience such as arousal but also deal with quite a few medical problems that effect people sexually (not just std's but problems such as female circumsion, erectile dysfunction, ect). It's just like any other medical specialty really, however, there are some quicky programs out there that don't require you to do much but watch porn and write your reviews of the videos and give detailed analysis on the sexual situation presented.

If I do a program like this, the aforementioned is not what I'm looking for. I want to actually learn things that could help me and others. From most of the websites I viewed, it takes about 3 to 6 years to complete your education and earn a degree in these fields. Thanks for your feedback. My guy is kinda like you in that sense where he doesn't really want me to get involved with it for degree purposes. He says it's not going to gain me real employment and I probably won't get respected for it. I told him he should do more research on the subject and read some more of those informative sexual help books before he calls judgment. They are not all "sleaze". Many are actually healthy sex manuals that want to inform you about your sexuality and what you can do to help yourself rather than advertising to you the latest sex toys. You can branch off to so many different areas after you get your degree. You don't necessarily have to be a "field sex counselor" (that helps people perform sex physically and does it handson), you can be a sex education teacher, rape counselor, health science professor, work for the CDC, be a radio talk show therapist, etc. The possibilities are endless. I think my guy is more afraid of what his family would think of me. I'm a little concerned about what my family would think also. lol. Oh well. Once again. Thanks for the feedback. Oh yea, I also agree with you that if anything, I'd like to take the courses to learn more, even if I don't actually make a career of it.

Chakra




Edited 7/30/2006 6:45 pm ET by ayurchakra
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-09-2006
Sun, 07-30-2006 - 6:50pm

Wow...you really have looked into this!

I guess the next question is would it qualify for tuition reimbursement from your employer! ;-)


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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-24-2006
Sun, 07-30-2006 - 7:07pm

Now, tuition reimbursement would be the ultimate perk wouldn't it?! Maybe it would happen if you worked in a hospital or something and your job was as a sex or health science counselor. A hospital I used to work for in Georgia had a Health Science educator (aka sex educator) on staff with the board of docs. This individual only held a master's degree, and would normally be there for consultations with Gynecologists or other doctors who had questions of a sexual nature concerning their patients. I'm guessing this person would help them more with the mental aspect of it, as I'm sure they didn't know more about the body than the physician themselves.

You're giving me ideas! I should check into that, maybe see what local intern opportunities would be available in my area if I were to pursue this as a career goal. http://www.iashs.edu/ This is the school that I was speaking of in San Fransisco. Dr. Betty Dodson recommended this school, because this is where she earned her degree in the Human Sexual Experience. They have a long-distance program that I've been looking into. It's not the hardest of the schools, curriculum wise, but it does have a lot of challenging field research that it requires the students to complete. http://www.iashs.edu/over.html The last link I just posted gives you a good history on their mission and what they hope to accomplish with their educational system. It also stresses that there are a lack of health professionals out there who are qualified to help people in the area of sexuality and eroticology. Very interesting. Anyway, Enjoy!

Chakra

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-09-2006
Sun, 07-30-2006 - 8:31pm

Glad to help get your idea flowing! This is all very intriguing and that site was quite informative in explianing why they feel there is a need for people in this field of work.

But in all fairness...my mind keeps wondering to Barbara Streisend as a sex therapist in Meet the Fockers!


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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-24-2006
Sun, 07-30-2006 - 9:20pm

Haha!!@ Babara Streisand as the sex therapist. That whole concept of her being a sex therapist is just funny anyway! I'm sure each therapist carries their own heir of professionalism though. Some may be goofy and zaney and very "hippy-like" like Streisand and Hoffman, while others are very clinical and more serious. I guess it depends on how you want your clients to feel and how you, yourself approach the issue of sex. It's interesting how different people handle this issue. Good example--really made me laugh out loud.

Chakra

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Mon, 07-31-2006 - 1:25am

When I was hosting the Ask the Sex Coach board for Dr. Patti Britton, she told me I should become a sex therapist.

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-24-2006
Tue, 08-01-2006 - 1:31am

Hello,
I'm sorry to hear that you weren't able to pursue your education due to your health (hope everything is good now), but I think now they have a certificate program that you can do via long distance learning that doesn't require your physical presence at the campus. Maybe check into it some more? I could really see you being a sex therapist. How interesting.

Chakra