ABSTRACT
This chapter explores what is learned and absorbed about intimacy, spirituality, sexuality, gender, and power during our developing years from influences like family, friends, and culture. The evolution of Western culture is history of theologically based sexual oppression. A culture that shames children for normal sexual expression plants seeds that manifest themselves in adult life in the form of disturbances in relationship, intimacy, libido, and sexuality. Sexual shame can sever the experience of sensual pleasure in deep, loving attachment because it eclipses a person's ability to feel seen, known, loved, and accepted with and through their sensual body. In sex therapy, the chapter often uses a model known as "PLISSIT" to guide therapeutic process, acronym standing for "permission, limited information, specific suggestions, and intensive therapy". Schnarch goes on to say that sex-affirming Hebraic roots of Western civilization have been masked by Augustine's legacy of eroticism-hating sexual dualism, perpetuated by authoritarian-rooted Christian dogma, which negated basic worthiness of human beings.
