Quid pro quo: Currency exchange and sexual exchange

Abstract

This manuscript was prompted by years of being in private practice as a clinical psychologist. I have seen patients since 1963, and many single men and women, ages fifteen to seventy-five, have tried to figure out what they want, what the other sex is about, and how the exchange works. The short-term and long-term bartering and their decision to accept counsel, psychological treatment, and advice has led me to almost 40 years of professional involvement. In addition, I have been married to my beloved Jeannie for over forty years and have seen how enriching a meaningful relationship can be. For the past six years, I have been a consultant and advisor to a series of federal grants dealing with sexuality and condom use, which has been quite an eye-opener for me. This group and institution is Condax, headed by Leon Kassman. I have had patients who have used the personals in the media, including the Internet. In my experience as a clinician, I have seen how patients have had a hard time with this difficult and cumbersome method of meeting one another. Writers and creative persons have an advantage because they can express themselves; however, they do not rush to this method of encountering a potential lover. It is usually the last resort. I have seen it work and I have been a