Hidden Anxieties
Male Sexuality, 1900-50
Lesley A. Hall(Author)
Polity Press
Published on 16. May 1991
Book
Paperback/Softback
222 pages
978-0-7456-0933-1 (ISBN)
Description
Male sexuality is often seen as simple and monolithic, the "normal" male appears unchanging and unproblematic. In this study, Leslie Hall examines the historical figure of the sexually "normal" male and addresses the assumptions inherent in this concept. Common male difficulties, the author argues, are concealed by assumptions that desire is crude, insurgent, spontaneous and unproblematic, and are therefore ignored. She explores this view, examining the letters of men who wrote to Marie Stopes, author of "Married Love", seeking help for problems that were otherwise unmentionable. Hall clarifies the concepts of the "normal" male which changed considerably between the late Victorian era and the end of World War II. While examining these evolving ideas, she shows how men, as well as women, were the victims of a repressive climate in relation to their sexuality.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Oxford
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
index
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Weight
345 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7456-0933-1 (9780745609331)
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Schweitzer Classification
Content
Deconstructing the monolithic phallus; "a very delicate and difficult subject" - orthodox and respectable views on sex to 1920; evil companions, scarlet women and pernicious quacks - the subculture of sex; "most men act in ignorance" - the marriage manual and changing concepts of marriage; "not such a selfish beast" - men's problems in marriage; "the most miserable of all patients" - men with sexual problems; "I shouldn't care to face the experience again" - male sexual problems in the consulting room.