Polyamory-Related Books

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Constructing the Sexual Crucible: an Integration of Sexual and Marital Therapy

David M. Schnarch

W. W. Norton & Co.

David Schnarch's textbook on sexual and marital relationships covers, better than almost any other book I've read, the complex web of emotional issues surrounding intimacy, differentiation, and security.

Often in the early days of a relationship people fuse together into less separate individuals, an effect of the infatuation and newness of the relationship. However, to create a healthy long-term relationship, some amount of differentiation is required. This is the process of allowing each person to become an individual again, while maintaining the emotional intimacy that forms the foundation of a relationship. Schnarch covers this particularly well.

Be warned, Schnarch is definitely a monogamist. And, to be honest, many of criticisms of some forms of non-monogamy are on-target and to the point. Multiple sexual relationships as an escape from intimacy in a troubled relationship are often more a problem than a solution.

I also take issue with his thesis that people have a natural individual level of security or insecurity that is unchanging, I personally believe that while very difficult, it is possible to learn or unlearn insecurity to a noticable extent.

The book has a thick textbook style which may make some parts of the book a difficult to wade through. It is a textbook, not a pop psychology book. Fortunately, numerous case-studies make his points clearer and more easily accessible.

Despite all these nits, there's a wealth of information here for people wanting to learn about initmate emotional relationships. Recommended.

(NOTES: I haven't yet read, but have heard good things about Schnarch's latest book entitled Passionate Marriage. )

Robin rates this book a 10 (Best Book Available on the Subject) and writes: I have been in a relatively healthy intimate relationship for 15 years, have experienced various forms of relationship therapies, read nearly every relationship book out there, and "The Passionate Marraige" is by far the smartest, most realistic and truthful book about marriage I have ever read.

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