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Experience, Meaning, and Identity in Sexuality pp 225–244Cite as

Palgrave Macmillan

Final Considerations

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Abstract

Inquiring into human sexuality is difficult. Aside from investigations into the physiology of sex, some of the difficulty is due to work that requires venturing into personal—if not extremely intimate and, possibly, sensitive—areas; and this is the case whether the investigator is a clinician, researcher, or a theorist. Another obstacle to progress in sexuality research is related to the many diverse fields in which investigators receive their training. Each of the many fields spanning the humanities, social sciences, medical sciences, and natural sciences has a unique take on training in technique, methodology, and theory. In particular, terminologies, and understandings of common language, can be unique, and can impact conceptual clarity. Clarity, or at least consistency, is certainly lacking even concerning a common terminology, as Kauth (2005) and others have noted. The lack of clarity is a problem that might prove intractable for a number of reasons beyond the diverse backgrounds of professionals interested in sex, but it is not alone there. Other issues in sexology that remain very difficult, if not impossible, to overcome include institutional, community, sexual, and personal politics that seem to cloud every discussion. Bringing everyone who works on sexuality together under any banner is a daunting, if not impossible, project.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Augustana Campus, University of Alberta, Camrose, Alberta, Canada

    James Horley

  2. Associate Professor of Sociology, Algoma University, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada

    Jan Clarke

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  1. James Horley
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  2. Jan Clarke
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Horley, J., Clarke, J. (2016). Final Considerations. In: Experience, Meaning, and Identity in Sexuality. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-40096-3_10

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