Women's Studies 2163A/B Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Magnus Hirschfeld, Havelock Ellis, Sexology

• School: Western University
• Department: Women's Studies
• Course: Women's Studies 2163A/B
• Professor: Nicole Edwards

Document Summary

Sexual identity can differ from activity and desires. Sex ed can be as broad as sexuality. Manages sexuality from angle of family (christian) morality. Heterosexual marriage blessed by church; monogamous, heterosexuality, for reproduction. Remains intact through powerful ideologies like monogamy, reproduction, purity, sinfulness. People become "policed" based on this discourse. 18th, 19th century includes medical intervention into family life and the home. Late 19th century sex researchers became known as sexologists. Magnus hirschfeld, richard con kraft-ebbing, havelock ellis - early thinkers. Engage in projects of mass categorization for sexualities, sexual identity, and types. "perversions" were pathologized - s/m, fetishism, exhibitionism, homosexuality, cross- dressing. In turn, heterosexuality - monogamy, sex for reproduction, etc - remained focus of what was normal and acceptable behavior. Sexology was often criticized for being deeply rooted in power relations - not just descriptive but prescriptive ("you should like this") Sexuality is often regulated through institutions like law, state, media, education, family.