Good Sexual Citizenship: How to Create a (Sexually) Safer World

Why is it that there is so much sexual injustice in the world? Why is it that a woman’s looks define who she is while men are defined by . . . everything else? Why is it that heteronormative relationships are embraced everywhere, but others are questioned, challenged, or viewed as sinful? Why do we mold children into what we, as a society, expect them to be through toys, clothes, and life lessons? Our society is undergoing an evolution, and it’s everyone’s duty to become “good sexual citizens,” so that all people, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, age, ethnicity, race, religion, social class, location, or origin are treated as humans deserving of respect. Good Sexual Citizenship is a call to action that asks every citizen to break down inherent sexual hostility and build up something a whole lot better. To promote understanding and tolerance, Friedrichs includes a factual and historical backdrop on gender disparities, women’s rights, sexual violence, prevention, and sex education and challenges readers to question their own identity as “good sexual citizens” with guided exercises. Covering many topics like consent, sexual assault, pleasure, double standards, casual sex and hook-up culture, and teen sex, she provides tools to navigate societal messages, sexually hostile climates, stereotypes, and archaic behavior and mentalities. This book is written for anyone—educators, parents, fellow students, coworkers, employers—who have helplessly looked around in the midst of some type of sexual injustice wondering, “What can I do?”