Ken Plummer
"Abortion, AIDS, non marital sex, homosexuality, pornography, contraception, sexual rights, and the rest have posed persistent threats and challenges across the world for some time. & Sex stands as a major political and moral symbol that marks boundaries and shapes change in cultures.Here an outstanding group of social scientists give a firm focus to the culture wars and moral panics that split cultures and speak to persistent and deep divides round the world. The essays in this timely volume provide critical insights to the battle lines that must be overcome for a new world to flourish."
Steven Epstein
"Nowadays panic seems to be everywherefrom homeland security to economic crisisyet sexual topics seem to prompt the most extreme episodes of fear, loathing, indignation, and overreaction. How do sex panics unfold? How can defenders of sexual rights respond effectively? In this state-of-the-art volume, noted scholars of sexuality take a big step forward in addressing these questions while zooming in on crucial topics such as reproductive rights, sex education, AIDS, same-sex marriage, and the politics of race and empire."
Pittsburghs Out
"In this six-essay collection, with an astute introduction from editor Herdt, social scientists and scholars of sexuality dissect where such loathing for personal freedoms originates, how maniacally it is deployed and whether there is an effective response to the fomented onslaught of anti-woman, anti-gay and anti-sexual moral Puritanism."
From the Publisher
Smart analysis and crucial advice in a timely academic call to arms.”
- Between the Lines
“ Moral Panics, Sex Panics is a valuable interdisciplinary contribution to emotion, media, and gender studies.”- H-Net Reviews
Social Anthropology - Lindsay Sprague
"The authors here provide thorough accounts of contemporary social and sexual issues that dominate social consciousness, media and politics . . . the book offers a modern synopsis of how sex and sexuality continue to be embedded in political, educational and social debates."
Between the Lines
"Smart analysis and crucial advice in a timely academic call to arms."
Pepper Schwartz
"This is a very important book. If you want to understand the state of sexuality politics in this countryand have a hope of reversing moral panics and public liesyou need to read this book!"
Gay and Lesbian Times
"Individuals and activist groups committed to the progressive struggle for cultural and sexual freedoms will find smart analysis and crucial advice in a timely academic call to arms."
H-Net Reviews
"Moral Panics, Sex Panicsis a valuable interdisciplinary contribution to emotion, media, and gender studies."
