A review by maketeaa
Intimate Matters: A History of Sexuality in America, Third Edition by John D'Emilio, Estelle B. Freedman

informative reflective slow-paced

4.75

i've never really considered before how intrinsically linked societal responses to sexuality are with politics, but intimate matters takes a deep dive through it and leaves almost no questions unanswered. beginning with early colonial times, intimate matters traces the sexual norms and behaviours through america, and the way that they vary based on historical contexts. from the times of slavery, to emancipation, to the cornstock laws, one factor remained common between sexual policies -- the maintenance of racial and status gaps through the policing of sexuality, particularly that of women. in its highly detailed, critical analysis, this book casts a spotlight on so many attitudes that still linger in our current society -- for example, why do we still stereotypes about the promiscuity of black women, the aggressive sexuality of black men, and the unconventional formation of black families? why has the journey towards female bodily autonomy been such a long one, that to this day we are still fighting for? intimate matters shows how sexuality has been used to maintain the status quo in a changing society, and the way politicians slowly realised the power of weaponising it to their own benefits -- but what it also shows is that individuals will always fight for their sexual rights, and each revolution catalyses a new era of society that should be embraced for all that it brings.