The challenges of sexology in Argentina

Abstract

This article inquires into the origins and present dynamics of sexology in Argentina, with the aim of discussing its prevailing approaches and shedding light on some of the field's tensions and challenges. Findings are based on empirical research that used both secondary sources (i.e., course outlines, conference programs, and affiliation and accreditation rules of professional associations and curriculum vitae of well-known sexologists) and qualitative data gathered in interviews with key actors in the field (sexual therapists, sex educators, and other professionals dealing with sexuality issues who do not acknowledge themselves as sexologists). The text also maps professional organizations and training options, explores potential tensions in the field (i.e., the relation between those providing sexual counseling and sex education), and addresses two main issues: the increasing medicalization of the field stimulated by the Viagra phenomenon and the gender power imbalance between professions (most physicians working as sexologists are male, while most psychologists and psychoanalysts are female). It is our hypothesis that both sexologists’ profile (mainly male physicians) and the nature of the demands they face (their clients are basically middle-class couples or individuals seeking to improve their sexual lives) may explain their lack of familiarity and/or interest regarding the gender perspective and nonhegemonic sexualities. The fact that there has not been an evident generational renovation as well as sexologists’ small amount of interaction with nongovernmental and governmental actors regarding public policies on sexuality-related issues (i.e., decriminalization of abortion, sex education in schools) seem to indicate that the field is facing challenges other than increasing medicalization that threatens the power and prestige of these specialists.