Gayle S. Rubin
THINKING SEX: NOTES FOR A RADICAL THEORY OF THE POLITICS OF SEXUALITY
The author delves into the varied and often problematic interpretations of sex over the history of the society and emphasizes how the idea of sex and anything related to it is seen as obscene and is hence, kept secret, especially for the "protection" of the young, "innocent" minds. The hysteria surrounding eroticism has always been focused on the protection of children. The author focuses on the idea of Victorian morality and how it continues to be a challenge to the acceptance of sexual activity as "normal".
She also moves on to elaborate on how the idea of sex was used to further the disappointing agenda of homophobia, by using the term 'sex offender' to refer to homosexuals, which led to increased police power to the community. The details in which the author explains the police crackdowns and general Draconian legislations regarding homosexuals are unsettling, yet immensely important to be discussed.
She further moves on to elaborate on the disconcerting position of prostitutes and the concept of "obscenity". She moves on to discuss how though the laws regarding "child-porn" were important, the limit they reached was misdirected. Child pornography bills continue to exist but the limit they subscribe to becomes important to elucidate. However, personally, I didn't completely agree with her idea of child pornography laws as explained by the examples she provides; as in the current day and age, with rising levels of pedophilia and actual minor pornography, strict legislations do become important, but maybe not at the level that was prevalent then.
However, the author also further elaborates on how morality was used by the right-wing to attack non-whites and homosexuals. She specifies how laws constantly tried to make purchasing contraception more difficult in the name of preventing premarital sexual activity completely; along with discouraging using contraceptives and abortions. The Family Protection Act 1979 is an example of such arbitrary and immoral laws.
She concludes by arguing that there is an urgent need to develop radical perspectives on sexuality.
THINKING SEX: NOTES FOR A RADICAL THEORY OF THE POLITICS OF SEXUALITY
The author delves into the varied and often problematic interpretations of sex over the history of the society and emphasizes how the idea of sex and anything related to it is seen as obscene and is hence, kept secret, especially for the "protection" of the young, "innocent" minds. The hysteria surrounding eroticism has always been focused on the protection of children. The author focuses on the idea of Victorian morality and how it continues to be a challenge to the acceptance of sexual activity as "normal".
She also moves on to elaborate on how the idea of sex was used to further the disappointing agenda of homophobia, by using the term 'sex offender' to refer to homosexuals, which led to increased police power to the community. The details in which the author explains the police crackdowns and general Draconian legislations regarding homosexuals are unsettling, yet immensely important to be discussed.
She further moves on to elaborate on the disconcerting position of prostitutes and the concept of "obscenity". She moves on to discuss how though the laws regarding "child-porn" were important, the limit they reached was misdirected. Child pornography bills continue to exist but the limit they subscribe to becomes important to elucidate. However, personally, I didn't completely agree with her idea of child pornography laws as explained by the examples she provides; as in the current day and age, with rising levels of pedophilia and actual minor pornography, strict legislations do become important, but maybe not at the level that was prevalent then.
However, the author also further elaborates on how morality was used by the right-wing to attack non-whites and homosexuals. She specifies how laws constantly tried to make purchasing contraception more difficult in the name of preventing premarital sexual activity completely; along with discouraging using contraceptives and abortions. The Family Protection Act 1979 is an example of such arbitrary and immoral laws.
She concludes by arguing that there is an urgent need to develop radical perspectives on sexuality.
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