å Sunday, October 22nd, 2017

Foucault recounts some of the history and some concerns towards the discourse of sex in his book “history of sexuality”. During the seventh and eighteen hundreds sex was not a topic someone will address openly mostly due to religious believes or even law. Foucault uses the word censorship to describe the way sex was presented to the society. He argues that sex should be a secret because if a society was so concern about there should be even more confidence in exposing the topic than hidden it. However, sex was key for the procreation of humanity which benefits an entire country in order to be powerful and rich. For a population to grow the use of sex was a must, but it continued to be repressed due to a set of limitation established by political, economic, biological determinations about sex. As time goes by the censorship of sex does not get any better, instead it changes the form by which is delivered to the people. New methods and strategies are developed to lower the shame individuals have to address this topic which is of such importance for a society. Also, he mentions how school faculties were so alert on the behavior of students pointing towards any sexual conduct but still didn’t spoke to them openly about sex. If they believed sex is something dangerous, not right in the eyes of a judge for children to have sex then why don’t they take action and educate them. The sense of power is intervenes in the liberation of speaking about sex without any shame or prohibition. Kids are more curious to know what is the reality when they are being overprotected and not allowed to know and experience it themselves. Therefore, the ideologies created to place sex discourse as blur and discrete as possible can make the secrets of sex of each individual more public and uncovered. Now my questions are if sex was to be openly discussed would it have real effects on overpopulation, maybe parenthood issues  as back in the day they were so concerned about it and as they still do but just in a more discrete way ? And what can are some ways in which sex discourse can be equilibrate and managed in a society?

In “The History of Sexuality” Michel Foucault explains how the view people have on sex has changed in the pass few centuries and how we look at sex today. Foucault starts with how at the beginning of the 17th century talk of sex was normal and often but that changed with his description of a “Victorian regime” and that we are still feeling the influences of this regime. Foucault’s describes the regime as the time following the era of freedom for sexuality and the beginning when sex was something to be kept in the home. He stats that sex was changed into something that only a married couple where allowed to commit and talk of it wasn’t allowed and how it would be enforced. He brings a point that the ending of this freedom for one’s sexuality and it discussion coincides with the rise of capitalism, that the repression of this freedom people once had before was done so that people may fit into the new order being set by capitalism. How that when sex is spoken about now people feel as if they go against an established power and that others are following it. Foucault asks as to why sex is viewed as a sin to speak about, why and what had happened to led people to change their views and how that relates to power and how it is abused. How did sex fall into a pit of secrecy, that it is only between a husband and wife, where even children spoke of it to how they must have their ears covered when it is brought up? Sex was taken from the public into the house and forced to stay there where it now remains to this day.
1. What is Foucault’s belief in how people can change in how sex in viewed to return to before?
2. If sex wasn’t under such secrecy what would be different today?

According to the author, Michel Foucault, “the History of Sexuality” is a history of repression and began during the Victorian era. Prior to this time, during the 17^th century, sexuality was openly discussed and adults could express themselves without shame. However, the opposite was true in the 19^th century. This period became a time where sexuality was treated with great secrecy. It was limited to the home and reproduction was its primary function. Foucault attributes this repressed attitude towards sexuality as a result of Capitalism.

Furthermore, Foucault discusses that this atmosphere created one of repression. It sought to eliminate sexuality from society and act as if it did not exists. The only place where talking about sexual acts was accepted was in mental hospitals and brothels. Although some progress as made by Freud’s work, sexuality was equally contained on a couch with a therapist, like it was contained in the bedroom between couples. The reason Foucault cites this notion is its connection to politics. Foucault suggests that the repression of sexuality is directly linked to control and politics.

With the development of Capitalism, the purpose of sex was to reproduce and ensure a labor force. The author cites that sex was not to be spoken about and that this prohibition caused feelings of fear. Additionally, it prevents us from connecting sexuality with pleasure and causes feelings of guilt. Moreover, Foucault points out that these antiquated feelings about sexuality where reinforced by religious figures.

Part One of Foucault’s, “The History of Sexuality” is the introduction where Foucault provides the history of sexuality. In the early 17^th century, sex was openly discussed. During the Victorian age, the development of Capitalism caused sexual acts to become confined to the home and the bedroom. Talking about it was prohibited. Foucault’s introduces three doubts that he aims at addressing and his “Repressive Hypothesis”. These doubts are not only to explore the history of sexuality, but also to connect it to current perceptions in today’s society, by analyzing who are the people and institutions talking about it.

Questions:

1. What role did religion play in the repression of sexuality?
2. Are we still a society of “Other Victorians”?

In “History of Sexuality” by Michel Foucault, he discusses the discourse around sex within regards to repression. In part one “We “Other Victorians,” during the 17^th century sexual practices were shameless and people were more sexually liberated. It wasn’t until the rise of the Bourgeois that sex became confined to secrecy. Sexual practices and discourses were then only found at home, strictly between a husband and his wife.  Which they believed would eliminate any discourse about sex and sexuality, however this secrecy in itself was a form of discourse. Which leads Foucault to question whether or not there is repression and how and why sexuality was suppressed. (“Repressive Hypothesis”) 1) Is history linked to repression? 2) Are the workings of powers used in terms of repression? 3) Is the discourse being addressed a new type of repression or it is just repeated from history? By questioning the repression, he is not denying it, but he is further explaining how these counterargument questions will explain how repression is linked to power and knowledge. Foucault wants to explain his version of the “truth about sex” and expose the purpose behind the repression.

The confinement and repression in sex was made to create a source of power, the power to control who speaks about sex what kind of knowledge is released. In other words, to control the discourse. In the instances, such as marriage, looking at it from Foucault’s perspective we can see how marriage, an institution where people are restricted to certain information, we see how power was used in marital practices to maintain a specific discourse about sex. In conclusion, controlling the discourse and knowledge about sex and sexuality are approaches to maintain power.

Question 1: Are they repressed about sex if sex is spoken about in secrecy?

Question 2: How would restricting people of certain knowledge affect repression?

In The History of Sexuality, Foucault focuses on sex and explains how sex has been repressed throughout history. In part one of his reading Foucault discusses the Victorian era. During the Victorian era, sex was a prohibited subject and was something that was only discuss in private away from the public. Sex was considered to be taboo and nonexistent in public, it was the forbidden subject no one talked about. Society made sex a sin and people grew up believing sex was only good for reproduction purposes only. Any talk about sex was basically going against your belief and what you were raised to believe was morally right. The repression of sex didn’t allow people to grow and develop their own sexuality. Foucault states how the only places that people were able to talk and express any sexual behavior freely was in the brothel or the mental hospital. So basically displaying any sexual behavior in public was enough cause to label someone as mental. Children were forbidden from talking about sex because it was well known to society that children did not and should not have sex. Foucault points out that the repression of sex during this time was very hypocritical. The suppression of sex by society was hypocritical, society claims to have moral standards and frown upon any talk about sex like it’s a bad thing. The repression of sex leads to feeling of guilt and shame from those who do talk about and express their sexuality.  Foucault questions the repression of sex, and asks when and why did people make sex a sin. Foucault discusses how the power exercised by society is the reason where the prohibition, censorship and denial of sex comes from. Why do people burden themselves with guilt when it comes to sex? Does the repression of sex have to do with power in society?

In part one of his book, The History of Sexuality, Michel Foucault explains that sexuality was not something discussed and there were very strict guidelines people followed in regards to sexuality. Foucault describes how sexual practices before the seventeenth century were quite casual and there was no shame about the practice. However, in the seventeenth century with this new Victorian regime, everything became more rigid and oppressive. Sexuality could no longer be practiced outside the home, more specifically, the parents’ bedroom. Sex became a private matter that no one talked about aloud anymore. It became a taboo subject. Foucault says that in this way, sexuality became repressed. He then shifts to discuss how brothels and mental institutions became the places for illicit and unconventional sexualities. These were the places where people were not restricted to acts of sex unlike the puritan outside world around them. Foucault discusses the belief that the bourgeois order repressed sexuality because of the dawn of capitalism that also blossomed during that time period. The popular idea was that sex was incompatible with a rapidly increasing and vital work order. Foucault does not agree with this notion, and thinks that the repression of sexuality is a part of a political cause. Foucault says that a reason we define the relationship of sex and power in terms of repression is that if sex is repressed, then the fact that someone dare talk about it looks like they’re committing a wrongdoing. This person is just striving to be different and not conforming to social norms by disrupting the established rule. He says that people are eager to speak out sex because it’s sort of an opportunity to speak out against those in power.

Question 1: How were the puritan ideas of sexual practices enforced in the 17th century? What is something civilians conformed to or where there strict policies put in place and what were the repercussions?
Question 2: How would Foucault’s argument about sexuality tie into modern day debates about homosexuality?

Question 1: Does Michel Foucault describe prostitution in a way that makes it look acceptable?
Question 2: How have women not liberated themselves from the social norms of sexuality in marriages ?
In chapter one of “The History of Sexuality” by Michel Foucault, Foucault focuses on the beginning of the establishment of the sexual norms that have developed into the late nineteenth century. He or she even implies it is currently still seen in our society.
Foucault explains or claims that before the Victorian regime which was around the late 16th century people did not care as much for public nudity or public discussion when it came to sex. That it was acceptable for children to even talk about it.
However when the victorian regime took over the social construction of marriage surrounded itself around secrecy and a sexual monarchy.
Sex outside of marriage and divorce was seen as taboo and looked upon in society. Foucault makes statements about prostitutes and so on. Stating they challenged the social norms in a victorian regime society, whatever that has to do with it. Honestly I think they personally needed money and manual labor was out of their physical and social boundaries so they resorted to selling their bodies. Which should not be praised as sexually revolutionizing as Foucault does. Foucault also implements capitalism into this chapter to show the transitioning of society into one that is more strict and male dominating in the sexual aspect. During a time when labor exploitation was vital marriages did not have the time to explore into sexual endeavors or exploration. That marriage and sex only clear reason and purpose was to reproduce. So played the role into demeaning women. Also giving insight into the transitioning of power in marriages and the abuse of sex in a relationship had caused the repression of women in marriages.

In Part one of the passage of History of Sexuality, Michel Foucault  talks about how the history of sexuality changed throughout the course of time. Foucault starts off part one by stating that society favors the Victorian regime and has been supporting it even up to today. He goes into chronological order in how sexuality was seen. In the beginning of the seventeenth century sex was not a taboo topic but seen more of a regular activity that wasn’t looked down upon. This wouldn’t be able to last that long because the subject of sex was considered to be a thing to be talked about in secret all thanks to the Victorian bourgeoisie. The talk of sex was now repressed, children could not hear of such things due to the fact that children had no sex. Foucault then talks about the only places where sexuality  was allowed was in the brothel and the mental hospital. The people in those places were considered those “other Victorians”. Now Foucault goes into more detail on sexual repression, Foucault states how sex was seen in a political stand point as well. Now talking about sex would be seen as an action of going against the law. Foucault then states how speaking about sex in terms of repression gives the people to go against the power. Sex as in today is an ancient form of preaching. Foucault then mentions the hypocrisy that has taken place for more than a century and asks the question about, why do we say that we are repressed? He also then asks the question of what led us to this point of being repressed. Since the beginning of time sex was always considered a sin. People today still hold that repression which shows that it is still an issue.                                               Question 1: What are some examples that led to Foucault believing that sex is repressed? Question 2: If sex was to never be repressed by the Victorians, would you think sex would have ever reached to such a taboo topic?

Alfie Corteza

Professor Bullock

Assignment #7

In Michel Foucault’s “The History of Sexuality,” he explains that throughout time there has been constant discourse within the subject of sex. He gives examples ranging from the discussion of how intercourse had developed over time for instance before the 17th century. The differentiating of the label of “homosexuals” from being based on acts to one’s identity. In addition to to the discussion of homosexual actions, rather than stopping it all together, Foucault says that they would be talked about instead. In chapters one to three talks about how over the course of time the discussion of sex differentiates.

In chapter one, Foucault explains that sex merely is between husband and wife and that it is a highly privatized matter and intercourse with others is frowned upon and heavily repressed. Foucault also asks why we talk about how we can’t speak about sex.

In section two an example of sex-related ideas, dreams, and desires was confessed in churches and was a highly private and sensitive matter. But then at the turn of the 18th-century states were asking for the births of women, if it was successful or not. Even children themselves talked about sex in a civil, and mature manner while even some of the adults acted more childlike than the children themselves. Then there was an incident with a rural farm-worker caught paying for sexual favors. It is significant because authorities in the 17th century would have overlooked at the situation, whereas it investigations in the 18th century is much more in depth.

In section three, Foucault explains that sex was considered dangerous, but then describes that sex is a source of knowledge and truth. Also, he states that the understanding of sex in Western Europe is not new, as there are countries in the Middle-East, and Asia that have already studied it. But there is a differentiating between the two, als erotica focuses on the knowledge of sexual pleasure and how to increase and maximize it, and Scientia sexualis focuses on confessions from learning about it.

Questions:

#1: What caused the change in the discourse of sex from the 17th century to the 18th century?

#2: Why did Western Europe acknowledge sex intercourse earlier if it was present in other countries?

Foucault discusses the history of sex and sexuality in the 19th century. In this passage the author discusses how in different parts of the world, sex is kept private not because it was something bad but because they thought it should only be discussed privately. If it was to be discussed openly it would not be special anymore. So in these societies sex is not discussed as it is in the US. In the United States, people talk more openly about sex and discusses the truth about it. Here we do not keep it a secret, therefore breaking the rituals of confessions where people used to talk about it secretly. We do not give any power to the church which means we do not have any responsibilities to tell them everything we do. With us, we confess openly and not in an intimate way which explains why we are more open tot the ideas of sex. Sex has been turned into a discourse due to the fact that we look at it from an individual perspective. Western culture, allows for people to share their pleasures with each other but it also brings a negative side to it. Oppression on sex has served somehow to control the way we think. Older generations grew up having negative thoughts about sex. But I also think that we have a different mindset when it comes to sex, we are more open to it and we look at it with a more positive view. But even then, the media still tries to make it seem like a sin, keeping us away from our natural rights as human beings.

How do you think the discourse about sex has affected our society today?

How has some of the oppression on sex been able to control our society in some ways, if it has?