Sexuality through the ages
If one look through the seeds of time, the history and expression of sexuality have been as diverse as the civilisations themselves.
Renaissance and Medieval Perspectives on Sexuality
Due in large part to the spread of Christianity, the mediaeval era saw a dramatic change in how people perceived sexuality. The teachings of the Church encouraged chastity and restricted sexual behaviour to marriage and procreation. Any kind of sexual expression beyond these boundaries was viewed as wicked, and celibacy was idealised.
A resurgence of classical knowledge throughout the Renaissance led to a progressive easing of these restrictions. During this time, humanism and the celebration of the human body enjoyed a resurgence in popularity. The works of Michelangelo and Botticelli were examples of how themes of sensuality were more freely explored in literature and art.
Enlightenment (1685 - 1815) and Shifting Perceptions
The Enlightenment period significantly altered how society perceived sexuality. Sexuality was at a crossroads with religious conservatism, with new ideas emerging from sexual libertarianism and philosophy. Writers and philosophers started to question religious morality and advocate for sexual liberation in an effort to subvert societal conventions. At the forefront of this intellectual revolution were figures like Diderot and Voltaire, who promoted the concepts of individual liberty and natural rights.
During this time, scientific research on human sexuality also started to take shape. The field of sexology was founded by psychiatrists Havelock Ellis and Richard von Krafft-Ebing, who aimed to comprehend sexual behaviour from a psychological and medical standpoint.
Victorian Era (1820–1921): Morality and Repression
The Victorian era was known for its rigid morality and sexual repression. But throughout this period, there was also an odd fixation on sexuality. As public discourse was dominated by concepts of, chastity, purity and restraint, an emerging underground culture explored sexuality and sexual experimentation. For example there was a thriving erotic literature and arts scene, more prominently by artists such as Aubrey Beardsley and Oscar Wilde, frequently featured subversive sexual themes in their works. Prostitution and homosexuality, although condemned, also flourished in the backdrop of this repressive era. Said period also saw the beginning of psychological and medical explorations into human sexuality. The understanding of human sexuality was further altered by Sigmund Freud's development of psychoanalysis, and later Carl Jung, which encompassed concepts like the unconscious and sexual urges.
20th Century (1901 - 2000): Diversity and Emancipation
The way that sexuality was understood and expressed changed tremendously the 20th century. In the 1960s & 1970s, sexual revolution, alongside of anti-war movements, questioned established conventions, and promoted GLBT rights, women's emancipation, & sexual liberties. This period also saw the decriminalization of homosexuality in many parts of the world, such as UK in 1967 and Canada in 1969.
Improvements in reproductive rights and contraception had also given people more autonomy over their sexual lives & their rights to choose. The third wave Feminism movement, which promoted sexual autonomy and the right to pleasure, was essential in changing perceptions of female sexuality.
The GLBT movement, which advocates for acceptance and equal rights, also gained traction towards the end of the century. Most notable, The Stonewall Riots in New York City,, as well as the assassination of politicians George Moscone & Harvey Milk in San Francisco. These led to increased political activism and the formation of numerous gay rights organizations. These events have been credited with sparking the modern GLBT rights movement.
Though many saw the 1960s as a radical change, they also brought about excessive openness and an almost unbridled attitude towards sexual expression, which occasionally obscured the necessity of taking a measured and balanced approach.
21st Century (2000 to present): Contemporary Perspectives
In the 21st century, the discourse on sexuality continues to evolve, reflecting broader social & moral changes and the influence of technology. Sexuality education has become more comprehensive, covering topics such as consent, gender identity, alternative lifestyles, and safe sex practices. The internet has played a transformative role in shaping modern sexual culture, providing platforms and connecting people for the exploration of diverse sexual interests and identities. Online communities have given voice to marginalized groups, fostering greater visibility and acceptance of non-heteronormative sexualities.
Contemporary discussions on sexuality are increasingly inclusive, recognizing the spectrum of gender identities & sexual orientations. The concept of sexual fluidity has gained acceptance, challenging binary notions of sexuality and promoting a more nuanced understanding of sexual attraction and behavior. Although opponents of 21st century views of sexuality often point fingers towards identity politics, which has introduced complexities that sometimes hinder progress in sexual positivity, by emphasizing specific aspects of identity, such as race, gender, or sexual orientation and other proponents of intersectionality, identity politics has created divisions and detracted from a unified approach to sexual positivity. This fragmentation can stall progress and lead to polarized ‘us vs them’ victimhood mentality, obstructing the path to a more integrated and comprehensive understanding of sexuality.
Hegelian Dialectics and the Evolution of Sexuality
German philosopher, Hegel's concept of dialectics offers a framework for understanding the historical evolution of sexuality. According to Hegel, societal progress occurs through a dialectical process: a thesis (an initial condition), antithesis (its contradiction), & synthesis (their resolution). Through the history of sexuality, from the repressive Medieval and Victorian era, to the era of changing attitudes in the Enlightenment era, and again in the 1960s, we observe a dynamic interplay between conservatism and liberalism, culminating in a right balance between extremities. more balanced and human-centric sexual positivity.
Many would say the complex twists and turns have been slow and messy, but Hegel felt that the painful stepping from era to era would be inevitable, & in the process of moving from era to era, mankind will find a new solution, a solution that will manage to synthesize the good qualities, filter out the bad, and make something really new, different, and better - a more inclusive and human-centric era of sexual positivity.
Take hope.