The Strength of Schnarchs Sexual Crucible Model - Essay Example

Sexual crucible model Sexual dysfunction has become a major problem in the society today among married couples. The dysfunctions that have made many researchers spend sleepless nights trying to find solutions include; premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction, delayed ejaculation, low sexual desire and performance anxiety. All these problems come due to problems related to the brain and the body physiological processes (Wakefield, 1999). Other factors that bring sexual dysfunction problems include; predisposing, maintaining and precipitating factors. Researchers have not attributed these problems to physiological reactions such as genital response because little has been understood as to the sexual dysfunction problems. Schnarchs came up with a sexual crucible theory in 1991 which offers instructions and information to assist people with sexual problems. The model is viewed as a treatment modality related to intimacy and sexuality. Sexual crucible is an approach to treatment based on eroticism and intimacy. It shifts its focus on non reciprocity model related to intimacy and sexuality as the route of its growth. In this model, Schnarchs talks about three approaches to intimacy. He talks about descriptive, definitional and clinical approaches to dealing with intimacy. According to research done it is evident that the strengths of Schnarchs sexual crucible model for treatment of sexual dysfunctions are based on theoretical formulation of intimacy. Intimacy and sexuality are inseparable. Schnarchs supports the idea that neither couple should give or change towards each other (Bancroft et al, 2003b). Couple can hold on while risking sharing deeper levels of secrecy as a result of differentiation. Differentiation is the ability to have a clear sense of oneself when in close relationship with another person. The higher the level of differentiation, the nearer one gets to the person because one is not afraid of losing them. In the model, he also talks about differentiation and how it creates the ability to tolerate self disclosure and intense intimacy (Perring, 2005). The higher the level of intimacy, the subsequent deeper the level of eroticism and this leads to the ability of a couple to be satisfied sexually. Lack of differentiation interferes with couple's ability to be emphatic to each other. Differentiation is necessary for couples to have empathy. Empathy is only offered by couples who have been differentiated enough and they have heard the couple's needs without feeling threatened or being reactive. Treatment of sexual dysfunctions totally rests on the theoretical formulation of intimacy because the problems arise as a result of lack of disclosure or differentiation between couples. Self disclosure and differentiation leads to intimacy and hence sexual satisfaction among couples. On the other hand other therapists argue that sexual dysfunctions are related to illnesses, emotional problems or mental illness (Rehman & Melman, 2001). They continue and say that some of them can be treated by use of various clinical sessions between a couple and therapists. Moreover, by being erotic and participating in communicative tasks at home which enhance intimacy can also be another way of solving sexual dysfunction. Flexibility, openness, intuitiveness, inventiveness, warmth and sensitivity are also very important components to contribute to intimacy in a relationship between couples. Discussing intimate sexual details with your partner enhances intimacy of the highest level. Scharns argue that all couples should maintain their own beliefs or an effective marriage and sexual satisfaction. Learning how to communicate with your partner is also important in maintaining a good sex life (Hawton, 1985). This helps in knowing what to improve and how to improve it. A relationship without communication cannot have intimacy at all. Both partners should derive ways to communicate to improve the realtiohsip between them. Communication is the centre of agreement, so if communication is absent, no problems in the marriage will be solved. Couples dialogue is the key to intimacy and thus a good sex life (Bancroft & Vukadinovic, 2004). According to Schnarch model of sexual crucible, a marriage is a growing phenomenon which requires the partners to grow as it grows too. Through the use of sexual relations, the marriage grows and the couple grows in love too. The strengths of the sexual crucible model developed by Schnarchs are mostly supported by the level of intimacy in a relationship (Schwartz, 1994). Treating sexual difficulties Schnarchs approaches many different ways of treating sexual desire difficulties. To start with he encourages the use of sex enhancing drugs like Viagra. They help in boosting the sexual desire and function. The sex enhancing drugs are also necessary to boost a partner's libido which leads to sexual satisfaction. They also tend to make a love making session last longer, thus leading to sexual satisfaction between the partners. To add to that he also recommends other medical options offered by professionals like gynecologists (Schnarch, 1992). Curing of hostility, rejection and emotional alienation also helps in solving sexual difficulties in a marriage. This is because after acceptance, good environment and lack of emotional stress leads to high level of intimacy. High levels of intimacy lead to sexual desire and as a result, problems like lack of sexual desire, lack of erectile function go away. Couples are also advised to use other methods to develop their love, commitment and affection; which are important ingredients to a good marriage (Carver &White, 1994). A marriage cannot be good with the presence of sexual dysfunctions. Moreover lack of communication among couples lowers intimacy in a relationship and therefore low sexual desires. Love, affection and commitment help in preventing divorce and strengthen the relationship between the people in the family (American Psychiatric Association, 1994). Another way of treating sexual difficulties according to Schnarchs include having a high level if differentiation. It leads to self disclosure and as a result there is high level of intimacy between the partners. Differentiation makes intimacy easy and as a result the couple is able to discuss their sexual problems easily with each other. Incase there is a problem with on of the partner and they share, solutions come up and hence they improve their marriage due to improved sexual functions (Cole, 1993). Other sexual problems like sexual anxiety increases sexual boredom. As a result couples should try using techniques that reduce anxiety. This also helps reduce sex enthusiasm. Boring meaningless sex comes as a result of lack of intimacy and eroticism in a marriage. To help reduce boredom the couple should deduce ways to improve their intimacy and eroticism and the passion for sexual encounter with each other (Hendrix, 1993A). Schnarch continues and says that couples should stop having sexual relations as a result of emptiness, loneliness, and hunger. This leads to very poor sexual experience an it can lead to mental implications that a partner is not good at it. This may lead to a marriage breaking down due to lack of sexual satisfaction. He however says that mutuality, intimacy and personal growth should motivate a couple to have sexual relations (Janssen et al, 2002a). Schnarch also advices couples to go for counselling to specialists as they will help in solving these problems. These specialists include therapist, gynaecologists, and psychologists. They all have the necessary skills and the knowledge to help solve the problems. This could be another way of solving sexual dysfunction problems such as erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, performance anxiety and low sexual desire. Conclusion Marriage is a fundamental component of the society today. As a result of marriages, came the whole nation and societies. Many couples have had many problems in their marriages like the sexual dysfunction mentioned above and it has affected the society at large (Meana, et al, 1999). Due to this, it has been recommended that couples should improve on their intimacy, disclosure and differentiation levels which help in boosting the sexual desires in a marriage. Many sexual dysfunction problems are psychologically affected and hence treating them is relatively easy. References American Psychiatric Association (1994).Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 4th edn. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association. Bancroft, J. & Vukadinovic, Z. 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