Betty Dodson
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Betty Dodson, Ph.D. (born August 24, 1929) is an American sex educator, author, and artist. She is widely known as a pioneer in women's (and to a somewhat lesser extent men's) sexual liberation, having sold more than 1 million copies of her first book, Sex for One. Much of her fame has come from her work not only advocating masturbation, but conducting workshops for more than 30 years in which groups of about 10 or more women would talk, explore their own bodies, and masturbate together.
Dodson's books include Sex for One: The Joy of Self-Loving and Orgasms for Two: the Joy of Partnersex. She has also produced three videos: Selfloving: Portrait of a Sexual Seminar, Celebrating Orgasm: Women's Private Selfloving Sessions, and Viva la Vulva; Women's Sex Organs Revealed.
She is a founder of the pro-sex feminist movement, having left behind the more traditional feminist movement because she considered it banal, antisexual and over-politicized. In recent years she has criticized Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues, which she believes has a negative and restrictive view of sexuality and an anti-male bias (Dodson, 2001).
Dodson holds a Ph.D. from the Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Sexuality for her research work on sexuality. It should be noted that the Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Sexuality is accredited by the Bureau of Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education of the State of California, which is not a recognized accreditor. While not generally considered to be a diploma mill the Insitute will award a Ph.D after just 8 to 10 weeks of study, the completion of a dissertation and oral examinations. [1].
Dodson maintains a private practice in New York City and has an active website. In an article on her website about hands-on sex therapy, she explains her choice against pursuing a degree in psychology and licensing as a therapist since it would have prevented her from contuing with the types of sex workshops and counseling for women that she had been doing for decades. [2]. While she doesn't presently offer her Bodysex Workshops, she is available for private individual and couples coaching[3].
Dr.Betty appeared in a Season 4 episode of Penn & Teller's Bullshit! that dealt with abstinence[4].
[edit] References
- ^ [1] How to be a Sexologist (in 12 easy lessons) from GID.info
- ^ [2] from Ask Dr. Betty - Sex Coaching
- ^ [3]A Private Session with Betty
- ^ [4]Season 4, Episode 10: Abstinence
