Sexuality and Society

Book excerpt: In this broad-ranging introduction to the study of sexuality, Gargi Bhattacharyya guides students through the key theoretical debates in the area from the early history of sexology, through Foucault's technologies of self to Judith Butler on the performance of identity. Bhattacharyya shows how these theoretical positions apply to sexuality as it is experienced in contemporary society, and covers key topics such as: * the ideology of heterosexuality * sex and the state * sex, race and 'the exotic' * age and sexuality * sex education and pornography. The book argues that the study of sexuality is an essential part of broader debates on gender, race, citizenship and community. Topical and original, it provides a systematic overview of theory combined with up-to-the minute discussion of social and race issues. It gives students a lucid map of the terrain, and an exciting starting point for their own investigations.