Sexual Politics in Contemporary Europe: Moving Targets, Sitting Ducks

The legal regulation of gender and sexuality has undergone significant changes in Europe over the last 40 years, shaping what it means to be a European citizen. This book explores how the EU and its Member States harness issues of gender and sexuality to support higher political priorities, using recent debates and legislative changes around prostitution and sexual assault as a focus. It provides a detailed map of how and why contemporary European sexual politics is changing, contributing to the establishment of European norms and values in law and policy.

Format: Hardback
Length: 136 pages
Publication date: 02 February 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

The legal regulation of gender and sexuality has undergone a significant transformation across Europe over the past four decades, profoundly shaping the identity of European citizens. This book employs a multidisciplinary approach to explore how the European Union (EU) and its Member States have leveraged issues of gender and sexuality to advance their political agendas. By examining the discourses surrounding current European sexual politics, the book seeks to understand how, and to what extent, the EU and its Member States have harnessed these issues to support higher-priority political objectives.

The book focuses on recent and ongoing political debates and legislative changes related to prostitution and sexual assault, serving as a focal point for its analysis. Through the use of four national case studies—Poland, Germany, Sweden, and Italy—the book illuminates how the EU's desire for increased harmonization in gender and sexuality norms and values manifests differently across Member States, leading to distinct outcomes.

The book's structured approach provides a comprehensive map of how and why contemporary European sexual politics is evolving, highlighting its contribution to the establishment of European norms and values in law and policy concerning prostitution and sexual assault. By examining the mechanisms through which the EU and its Member States implement their policies in these two policy areas, the book sheds light on how contemporary European sexual politics serve the interests of certain groups while marginalizing others.

This exploration of the complex dynamics of gender and sexuality regulation in Europe offers valuable insights into the evolving nature of European citizenship and the role of the EU in shaping societal norms and values. It underscores the importance of interdisciplinary research and policy analysis in understanding the complex interplay between law, politics, and social change in a rapidly evolving global context.

Weight: 329g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030911737
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022