Book of Minor Perverts - Sexology, Etiology, and the Emergences of Sexuality

In The Book of Minor Perverts, Benjamin Kahan explores the emergence of sexual classification in nineteenth-century sexology, focusing on the shift from Foucault's "thousand aberrant sexualities" to homosexuality. The book offers a new perspective on the past by intersecting history, queer studies, and the medical humanities.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 240 pages
\n Publication date: 19 February 2019
\n Publisher: The University of Chicago Press
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Statue-fondlers, wanderlusters, sex magicians, and nymphomaniacs: the tale of these long-forgotten sexualities, as Michel Foucault termed them, has never been fully recounted. In his book, The Book of Minor Perverts, Benjamin Kahan sets out to explore the emergence of sexual classification that accompanied the rise of nineteenth-century sexology. The book chronicles the transition from Foucault's notion of "thousand aberrant sexualities" to a singular concept: homosexuality. Rather than focusing solely on the impact of queer identity, the book delves into the underlying causes that lead to a surprising array of individuals who defy conventional sexual categorizations. The result emerges as a groundbreaking intersection of history, queer studies, and the medical humanities, providing us with a fresh perspective to navigate and comprehend the past.

The emergence of sexual classification in the nineteenth century was a complex and multifaceted phenomenon driven by various factors. One of the most significant contributors to this shift was the rise of sexology, a scientific discipline that sought to understand and categorize human sexuality. Sexologists such as Havelock Ellis, Richard von Krafft-Ebing, and Wilhelm Reich believed that there was a natural order to sexual behavior and that deviations from this order were pathological. They developed elaborate systems of classification, including categories such as homosexuality, heterosexuality, bisexuality, and transsexuality, to describe and categorize these deviations.

However, the categorization of sexual behavior was not without its challenges and controversies. One of the most significant criticisms of sexology was its tendency to pathologize non-normative sexual behaviors. Sexologists often viewed homosexuality as a disease or disorder, and they sought to treat it through medical interventions such as electroshock therapy or castration. This approach was not only harmful to individuals who identified as homosexual but also contributed to the stigmatization and marginalization of LGBTQ+ communities.

Despite these criticisms, the categorization of sexual behavior continued to evolve and expand in the nineteenth century. The advent of new technologies, such as the microscope and the camera, allowed sexologists to study human sexuality in greater detail and to develop more accurate and nuanced theories of sexual behavior. This led to the recognition of a broader range of sexual orientations and practices, including BDSM, fetishes, and non-monogamy.

In addition to the scientific and medical aspects of sexual classification, there were also cultural and social factors that played a role in shaping the development of sexual categories. For example, the rise of capitalism and industrialization in the nineteenth century led to the emergence of new forms of leisure and entertainment, such as the theater and the circus, which often featured sexual themes and performances. These performances helped to normalize and popularize certain sexual behaviors, such as cross-dressing and exhibitionism, which were previously considered taboo or deviant.

Another cultural factor that contributed to the development of sexual classification was the rise of the feminist movement. Feminists argued that traditional gender roles and stereotypes were harmful to women and that they should be able to express their sexual desires and preferences without fear of judgment or discrimination. This led to the recognition of bisexuality.

Despite these advancements, the categorization of sexual behavior was not without its limitations and contradictions. For example, some individuals who did not fit neatly into any of the established sexual categories, such as intersex people or people who identified as genderqueer or non-binary, were often left out or erased by the dominant sexual classification systems. This led to the development of new subcultures and movements, such as the LGBTQ+ rights movement, which sought to challenge and redefine traditional sexual categories and to promote greater inclusivity and diversity in sexual expression.

In conclusion, the story of the emergence of sexual classification in the nineteenth century is a complex and multifaceted one that involves scientific, medical, cultural, and social factors. While sexology played a significant role in shaping the development of sexual categories, it was also criticized for its tendency to pathologize non-normative sexual behaviors and its contribution to the stigmatization and marginalization of LGBTQ+ communities. The categorization of sexual behavior continued to evolve and expand in the nineteenth century, with the recognition of a broader range of sexual orientations and practices, including BDSM, fetishes, and non-monogamy. However, it was not until the twentieth century that the LGBTQ+ rights movement emerged to challenge and redefine traditional sexual categories and to promote greater inclusivity and diversity in sexual expression.

\n Weight: 384g\n
Dimension: 228 x 173 x 9 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780226607955\n \n