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Assignment 05

In her essay, “Thinking Sex: Notes for a Radical Theory of the Politics of Sexuality,” Gayle Rubin it is shown that sex is always active in politics, there have been conflicts, disputes, and debates on sexual values, and she believes that its always political. For example during the 19th century in the United States and England people were more aware of sexuality and its morals and it was viewed differently. There were campaigns on abstinence, masturbation was looked down upon, in bad health and the targeted group was young people because that’s who they aimed to protect from sexual excitement. Some theorists even believed it led to insanity, a stunted growth and impairment on the youth.

The Comstock Act that was passed in 1873 made it illegal to sell, make, promote information, books or pictures that are foul  for the basis of sexual arousal as well. Yet Rubin is trying to show in her article that sexuality as a whole should be appreciated and respected, and to be sexual is natural and apart of human activity in everyday life. In the 19th century parents went to the bizarre extreme to tie their children down at night so they wouldn’t be able to masturbate “protecting” them from having an interest in sex and during this time children weren’t able to be aware of their sexuality or experience it in anyway. Later on during the 1950’s, sexual offenders became the main focus, similar to this day they were associated with fear and they were a threat to public safety. Large investigations took place to capture sex offenders who may have been working for the government, which is very corrupt. Therefore many people did end up losing their jobs due to this, and rules were placed on these offenders and their future employment opportunities.