The Paradox of Sex

Sex

Erectile Self-Efficacy and Responsive Sexual Desire

Barry W. McCarthy Ph.D. on August 3, 2022

Male responsive sexual desire and good enough sex, especially erectile self-efficacy, is key to satisfying sexuality.

Male responsive sexual desire and good enough sex, especially erectile self-efficacy, is key to satisfying sexuality.

Sex

Are Alternative Sexualities a Threat to Traditional Sex?

Barry W. McCarthy Ph.D. on May 12, 2022

Alternative sexualities are not a threat to traditional sexual couples.

Alternative sexualities are not a threat to traditional sexual couples.

Sexual Orientation

The Use and Misuse of the Term Heteronormative

Barry W. McCarthy Ph.D. on February 23, 2022

Heteronormative is a descriptive, not judgmental, term.

Heteronormative is a descriptive, not judgmental, term.

Sex

Responsive Desire and Erotic Sexuality

Barry W. McCarthy Ph.D. on February 7, 2022

Responsive sexual desire and erotic touch enhance couple sexuality.

Responsive sexual desire and erotic touch enhance couple sexuality.

Sex

Men Can Embrace Responsive Desire

Barry W. McCarthy Ph.D. on December 23, 2021

Responsive desire involves giving and receiving pleasure.

Responsive desire involves giving and receiving pleasure.

Couple sexuality in one's sixties, seventies, and eighties can be energizing and satisfying.

Marriage

Creating a Genuine Monogamy Agreement

Barry W. McCarthy Ph.D. on June 29, 2021

An affair is a major destabilizing experience for both the “injured” partner and the “involved” partner.

An affair is a major destabilizing experience for both the “injured” partner and the “involved” partner.

Sexuality is a core factor in healing from an affair.

Sex

Integrating Eroticism Into Your Relationship

Barry W. McCarthy Ph.D. on May 28, 2021

When I ask my college students how to keep eroticism alive in a relationship, they confidently give the “sexually sophisticated” answer—watch porn together and act out erotic fantasies.

When I ask my college students how to keep eroticism alive in a relationship, they confidently give the “sexually sophisticated” answer—watch porn together and act out erotic fantasies.

An empathic, respectful approach to the complexity of male sexuality.

Sex

When a Couple Stops Having Sex, Whose Choice Is It?

Barry W. McCarthy Ph.D. on April 5, 2021

Approximately one in five American couples is non-sexual, defined as having sex less than 10 times a year. Whose choice is it?

Approximately one in five American couples is non-sexual, defined as having sex less than 10 times a year. Whose choice is it?

Bad sex can kill a loving relationship, and good sex cannot save a bad one.