Sex Study

Re “Study Finds Widespread Sexual Problems,” Feb. 10: The problem with this study is that a person’s sexuality is viewed as a “problem.” If “40% of women and 30% of men regularly have no interest in sex, can’t have an orgasm or suffer from some other sexual problem,” then I’m not certain those people should be seen as having a problem.

The identification of one’s sexual function as a problem robs a person of his or her self-esteem. This study at a deeper level is a reflection of Freudian psychoanalytic theory.

Just as people have blue eyes or blond hair, their sexuality is somewhat genetically transmitted. It is society and the mental health community that have identified a person’s inherent emotional tendencies as problems which need treatment. In many ways it has permitted the evolution of a mental health industry.

The statistics found in the article published in the Journal of the American Medical Assn. may be of value. What is erroneous about this article is that it identifies a person’s sexual behavior as a problem.

ARNOLD I. GILBERG MD, PhD

Past President, Southern California

Psychoanalytic Institute

Beverly Hills