Bringing together classic writings on sexuality from a social science perspective, this fascinating set covers topics including the history of the study of the area, theoretical approaches and issues of gender and sexuality.

Focusing on the evaluations of some of the major traditions of sex research and theory dating back to the nineteenth century, volume one gives an overview of the entire field. Drawn from a broad range of sources, articles include evaluations of some of the founders of the field, survey research, anthropological fieldwork, social psychological experimentation and contemporary ethnology.

Moving on to concentrate upon the main theoretical approaches to sexuality within both sociology and allied traditions, volume two includes references to Marxism, feminism, interactionalism and Freudian, Foucauldian and postmodernist thought, whilst volume three examines the politics, power and critique of sexual categories - including bisexuality, sex addiction, prostitution and sadomasochism.

Finally, volume four considers the wider issues around sexualities - addressing social change, postmodernity and the shifting of sexualities, and presenting an examination of the term 'queer'. An epilogue of suggested further reading is also included.