5 Assignment 07

In part one of The History of Sexuality, Michel Foucault clarifies that sexuality was not a thing that was regularly discussed due to a set of extremely strict guidelines that people had to followed regarding to their sexuality. Foucault starts to describe the sexual practices of the English people in the seventeenth century. The sexual practices were quite casual with no shame involved about what they did. Yet near the end of seventeenth century, the new Victorian regime was introduced. Many of the practices in English society had become more rigid and oppressive. One of them being sexual practices. Sexuality was no longer allowed to be practiced outside the home. In the home, those who were allowed to practice were only the married couple of the home. Sex had now become a private matter that no one could talk about aloud anymore. It had become a taboo subject. Foucault believed that the new Victorian regime had started the concept of sexuality became repressed. He then shifts the focus of part one to discuss how brothels and mental institutions had become the places where illicit and unconventional sexualities were acted upon. In these places, people were not restricted to act upon their desires unlike the chaste outside world around them. Foucault deliberates a belief that the bourgeois had order the repression of sexuality due to an emergence of capitalism that had blossomed during that period. A popular idea that was circulated around was that sex had become incompatible thru a rapidly increasing and vital work order. Foucault had disagreed with this notion, he thought that the repression of sexuality was created to be a part of a political cause. Foucault declares that the reason that we had defined the relationship of sex and power through the terms of repression. If sex is repressed, then the fact that if someone had dare to speak about it, it would make them look like they’re committing a wrongdoing. However, a person who would try to be someone different while also not conforming to social norms by disrupting the established rule. Foucault declared that people were eager to speak out sex because it was a form of rebellion to the norms.

In Michael Foucault’s piece, “The History of Sexuality”, he discusses the discourse around sex. Sex is often a subject in which people tend to not speak about it publicly. Sex has this way of making people uncomfortable and thought of as more inappropriate act instead of a natural act. Sex in the 17th century was a shameless act and people were liberated based on their sexual activities. It was considered an activity only done inside the home between husband and wife. This was thought of to eliminate any discourse regarding sex. Foucault questions why sex is so shameful and why people are so afraid to speak of it. Sex in his eyes was a natural act between a man and a woman to show their love and intimacy for each other. The repression of sex was a focal point in this piece and Foucault goes on to discuss the rise and publicity of sex throughout time.

The repression of sex made people want to talk about a supposed “illegal activity” deemed by the church. It is natural for humans to go against their beliefs and challenge society or even God. Sex was an important topic in confession in church. It was highly privatized and sensitive matter. It was a way of relieving sins, but the discourse on sex focused on language. By creating appropriate language it would allow people to talk about sexual activities. It would make people more comfortable confessing in church. In my opinion, this was propaganda by the church to gain more followers.

Sex is still repressed today, sex education is rarely taught in schools, even if sex is discussed it is not talked about to the fullest extent. Parents are afraid of letting their kids know about the sexual side of life. They’re afraid that they might start experimenting. Improper sex knowledge can be very harmful for young kids. Sex should not be repressed anymore, by allowing to de-censor sex and educate people on sex it could have a beneficial impact on society.

In part one of “We Other Victorians” by Michael Foucault, he describes how sexuality was an openly discussed topic in the seventeenth century. However as we moved into the Victorian Era, it soon became an abomination to a wide variety of things in this topic. Foucault describes the Victorian Era as monotonous, tyrannical and constituted a lack of freedom of speech.  During this repressive time period, a great deal of revolt would be required to reinstate their freedom. Foucault makes a distinct connection between the incompatibility of labor and sex.

Foucault explains the freedom one has to speak on matters regarding sex stems from the feeling evoked from violating the law during the Victorian Era and the attitude of transgression as a result of prohibition from sex. One of the results that come from the freedom to speak on topics of sex during this time was enlightenment and liberation.

Foucault also seeks to analyze why discussing sex is considered a sin, why one must feel guilt towards this matter, and he also seeks to investigate what led biblical references to believe that sex should be repressed. This is considered one of the beliefs that the monarchs during the Victorian Era strongly believed. Moreover, it seemed to Foucault that prohibition, censorship and denial were ultimately the ways in which the monarchs of the Victorian Era governed their people.

One question I had based on part one was why the Victorian’s believed they should govern their people based on religious books/studies and if they felt that this government would fit all of the citizens in the United Kingdom. If they believed this form of government did not fit all people, what was done to those who didn’t believe in it, as opposed to those who protested their government?

Another question I had based on part one was how did this system of utilitarianism manifest after the seventeenth century? How did the Victorians rise to power? Was there a sharp change of thought amongst all or most of it’s citizens,  were there any socio-political groups that rose to oppress those in favor of liberation?

Micheal Foucault’s History of Sexuality explores the relationship between society and sexuality. Foucault begins his discussion by exposing the negative stance we have on sex or anything sexual in nature. During the early 1600s sex was a casual matter that was not forbidden or looked down upon. The shift from an accepted perception on sex to a public matter occurred during the 1800s. The Victorian regime brought about the bourgeoisie who in turn molded sex to become this “mute” and hidden topic. Any activity that was purely for pleasure or amusement was frowned upon. This ideology lead sex to be confined to only the home. Sex was now considered taboo, it was not to be discussed. The topic became a private matter. Its sole purpose was to reproduce and bring about a new generation of laborers. Moreover, sex in conversation completely dissipated. Children were not educated on the subject as they were perceived as innocent and did not have sex. Those who conversed about sex were in mental institutions or in brothels. These civilians were labeled as the “Other Victorians” by Steve Marcus. Foucault then discussed the role capitalism played in controlling the way we perceive sex. During this time sex was not for pleasure it was simply a means of reproduction. This then confines sex to only married couples. Foucault labels the restrictions on sex as the “repressive hypothesis”.   Furthermore, in the twentieth century Sigmund Freud explored sexuality. Although Freud’s attempts made the public a bit more curious about the subject it was still a matter confined to psychiatry. This would benefit the realm academically but would never transform sex into a topic that could be discussed without shame or embarrassment. Although Foucault is aware that sex is still to this day a taboo subject to this day his interest is in the “how” and the “why”.

Questions

Does the repression of sex during the past  play a part in rape culture today?

Were men AND women both limited to treating sex as taboo? If so did capitalism play a part ?

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?