Through the investigation of a rich, qualitative dataset of 484 self-reported genital piercing stories, we significantly expand an understanding of the characteristics, motivations, experiences, and outcomes of persons with genital piercings. While many of our findings confirm and elaborate prior research, some of our findings also challenge this research. In particular, we find that contrary to the expectations of prior research, there is: (1) little evidence to support the frequently made claim that genital piercings are pathological and (2) little evidence to support the alternatively framed claim that genital piercings somehow offer resistance to traditional gender and sexual norms. Instead, we argue that, by and large, genital piercings are just another mainstream and fairly conventional type of body decoration and adornment.

Despite an emphasis within American social work to operationalize important professional values, such as embracing human diversity and promoting social justice, it is not clear how this may or may not occur with respect to human sexuality and sexual practices. In considering this issue, the present study employed a thorough content analysis of undergraduate level Human Behavior and the Social Environment (HBSE) textbooks in order to explore how human sexuality and sexual practices are presented to undergraduate college students. Specifically, this study focused on the extent that texts in the sample reflect sexual diversity and sex positivity, which are consistent with key social work values, and thus how such texts may shape students’ professional views of sexuality. Findings suggest that the educational presentation of sexuality and sexual practices varies across HBSE texts in terms of embracing sexual diversity and promoting sex-positivity.