Regulating passion : sexuality and patriarchal rule in Massachusetts, 1700-1830 /
Ryan, Kelly A.
Throughout early America tools in the maintenance of hierarchy included the sexual regulation, the patriarchal gaze of elites on others, and derisive sexual characterizations. In the colonial era, elites enacted public and private sexual regulation to support racial, gender, and class based inequalities through the patriarchal household, as well as government and religious institutions. Elites designed laws, judicial and religious practices, institutions, and sermons that betrayed their sense that some groups of persons were criminal, the cause of sexual vice, and in need of supervision, while others were chaste and above reproach in their sexual behavior. After the American Revolution elites were forced to vacate their direct sexual regulation, but they sustained a vision of themselves as leaders and superior to others. During the nineteenth century, sexual reputation grew in importance in sustaining the race, class, and gender hierarchy by solidifying the sexual identities of African Americans, the poor, Indians, and wealthy whites. A new culture of sexual virtue emerged after the Revolution that was a project of the majority of individuals in society as they segregated themselves, read literature, reported aberrant behavior to Justices of the Peace, and interceded with family and friends. The standards that dictated the cultural of sexual virtue included sentimentalism, the marital monopoly on sex, and adherence to patriarchal gendered codes of behaviour.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Throughout early America tools in the maintenance of hierarchy included the sexual regulation, the patriarchal gaze of elites on others, and derisive sexual characterizations. In the colonial era, elites enacted public and private sexual regulation to support racial, gender, and class based inequalities through the patriarchal household, as well as government and religious institutions. Elites designed laws, judicial and religious practices, institutions, and sermons that betrayed their sense that some groups of persons were criminal, the cause of sexual vice, and in need of supervision, while others were chaste and above reproach in their sexual behavior. After the American Revolution elites were forced to vacate their direct sexual regulation, but they sustained a vision of themselves as leaders and superior to others. During the nineteenth century, sexual reputation grew in importance in sustaining the race, class, and gender hierarchy by solidifying the sexual identities of African Americans, the poor, Indians, and wealthy whites. A new culture of sexual virtue emerged after the Revolution that was a project of the majority of individuals in society as they segregated themselves, read literature, reported aberrant behavior to Justices of the Peace, and interceded with family and friends. The standards that dictated the cultural of sexual virtue included sentimentalism, the marital monopoly on sex, and adherence to patriarchal gendered codes of behaviour.
Description based on print version of record.
Description based on online resource; title from home page (viewed on March 19, 2014).
Sex
Sex
Sexual ethics