Histories of French Sexuality: From the Enlightenment to the Present

The history of sexuality is at a crossroads, with decades of scholarship showing its involvement in various topics, but scholars of French history have yet to fully embrace this field. This volume argues that attention to the history of sexuality deepens, changes, challenges, supports, or otherwise complicates French history, covering topics such as early empire-building, religion, the Enlightenment, feminism, socialism, formation of the modern self, medicine, urbanization, decolonization, postwar France, and the rise of modern and social media.

Format: Hardback
Length: 360 pages
Publication date: 01 May 2023
Publisher: University of Nebraska Press

The field of the history of sexuality is at a crossroads, with decades of scholarship revealing its profound implications in various areas such as reproduction, the body, sexual knowledge, gender identity, marriage, and sexual citizenship. These studies have expanded our understanding of historical narratives and interpretations, encompassing urbanization, the family, work, class, empire, the military and war, and the nation. However, not all scholars have fully embraced this evolving field, particularly those studying French history.

Histories of French Sexuality, a collection of essays spanning from the early eighteenth century to the present, delves into the ways in which attention to the history of sexuality enriches, transforms, challenges, supports, or otherwise complicates the major narratives of French history. This volume presents a series of historical arguments about the nature of the past and a broader historiographical claim regarding the value and place of the history of sexuality within the broader discipline of history.

The topics explored in this volume are diverse and multifaceted, encompassing early empire-building, religion, the Enlightenment, feminism, socialism, the formation of the modern self, medicine, urbanization, decolonization, the social world of postwar France, and the rise of modern and social media. Each essay offers fresh insights and perspectives, contributing to a deeper understanding of the complex and multifaceted nature of French history.

By examining the history of sexuality, Histories of French Sexuality challenges traditional narratives and sheds light on the often overlooked or marginalized aspects of human experience. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing the diverse and complex ways in which individuals have expressed their sexual desires, identities, and relationships throughout history. This volume encourages scholars and students to explore new avenues of research and inquiry, pushing the boundaries of historical understanding and promoting a more inclusive and nuanced view of the past.

In conclusion, the history of sexuality is at a crossroads, and Histories of French Sexuality plays a crucial role in advancing our understanding of this complex and evolving field. By presenting a range of essays that explore the intersections of sexuality with various aspects of French history, this volume contributes to a richer and more comprehensive understanding of the past. It encourages scholars and students to embrace the value of the history of sexuality in their research and teaching, and to explore the many ways in which it can deepen our understanding of the human experience.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781496214010