Difference between revisions of "Sexual revolution"
(Alfred Kinsey purported to show that aberrant sexual behaviors such as homosexuality, pedophilia, bestiality and incest were much more common than had been previously thought.) |
(Suggestion: Throw out the Kinsey criticisms, and confine them to the article on Kinsey himself.) |
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Freud claimed that sexual desire could not be controlled or channeled without causing harm to one's psyche. In his model of [[mental illness]], [[repression]] would lead to [[neurosis]], because of the dictates of the [[unconscious mind]]. | Freud claimed that sexual desire could not be controlled or channeled without causing harm to one's psyche. In his model of [[mental illness]], [[repression]] would lead to [[neurosis]], because of the dictates of the [[unconscious mind]]. | ||
| − | Kinsey | + | Kinsey applied the techniques of scientific and statistical investigation to human sexuality, ignoring the taboos that previously prevented research in the field. Anonymous surveys showed that many socially unacceptable sexual practices, including homosexuality and frequent mastubation, were far more common than had been widely believed. |
| − | + | ||
| − | Hefner's "playboy philosophy" was merely a retread of [[Hedonism]], an entirely self-centered pleasure-based life (see also [[Utilitarianism]]). | + | Hefner's "playboy philosophy" was merely a retread of [[Hedonism]], an entirely self-centered pleasure-based life (see also [[Utilitarianism]]). What Kinsey did for the science of sex, Hefner did for its popular image - weakening taboos and allowing open discussion. |
| − | The sexual revolution gained great traction in the 1960's with the invention of the [[birth control pill]], and in the 1970's with the legalization of [[abortion]], as these helped separate sexual activity from the consequence of pregnancy. | + | The sexual revolution gained great traction in the 1960's with the invention of the [[birth control pill]], and in the 1970's with the legalization of [[abortion]], as these helped separate sexual activity from the consequence of pregnancy. With sex now reduced to a low-risk activity, the deterrent against premarital or casual sex and promiscuity was greatly reduced. Sex purely for recreation became possibile, without the need for a married family to raise any children produced. This began weakening the social significence of marriage - long-term sexual relationships without the need for marriage became increasingly common. |
Problems with [[sexually transmitted disease]]s, notably herpes and the [[AIDS epidemic]], served to dampen these activities, by creating an obvious drawback to [[promiscuity]]. | Problems with [[sexually transmitted disease]]s, notably herpes and the [[AIDS epidemic]], served to dampen these activities, by creating an obvious drawback to [[promiscuity]]. | ||
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| + | In response to the sexual revolution, American conservative groups laid policies to restore the lost connection between sex, reproduction and marriage and to set up education programs to reenforce the importance of confining sex to married relationships only. This approach eventully formed what would become [[abstinance only]] education. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
Revision as of 19:43, May 10, 2007
The sexual revolution of the 1950s and 1960s was based on the ideas of three men: Sigmund Freud, Alfred Kinsey, and Hugh Hefner.
Freud claimed that sexual desire could not be controlled or channeled without causing harm to one's psyche. In his model of mental illness, repression would lead to neurosis, because of the dictates of the unconscious mind.
Kinsey applied the techniques of scientific and statistical investigation to human sexuality, ignoring the taboos that previously prevented research in the field. Anonymous surveys showed that many socially unacceptable sexual practices, including homosexuality and frequent mastubation, were far more common than had been widely believed.
Hefner's "playboy philosophy" was merely a retread of Hedonism, an entirely self-centered pleasure-based life (see also Utilitarianism). What Kinsey did for the science of sex, Hefner did for its popular image - weakening taboos and allowing open discussion.
The sexual revolution gained great traction in the 1960's with the invention of the birth control pill, and in the 1970's with the legalization of abortion, as these helped separate sexual activity from the consequence of pregnancy. With sex now reduced to a low-risk activity, the deterrent against premarital or casual sex and promiscuity was greatly reduced. Sex purely for recreation became possibile, without the need for a married family to raise any children produced. This began weakening the social significence of marriage - long-term sexual relationships without the need for marriage became increasingly common.
Problems with sexually transmitted diseases, notably herpes and the AIDS epidemic, served to dampen these activities, by creating an obvious drawback to promiscuity.
In response to the sexual revolution, American conservative groups laid policies to restore the lost connection between sex, reproduction and marriage and to set up education programs to reenforce the importance of confining sex to married relationships only. This approach eventully formed what would become abstinance only education.
