Sexual Perversion? Cultural and Medical Views Throughout History
The term ‘sexual perversion’ when applied to an act immediately implies a moral judgement. A ‘perverted’ act is one which is against the norm, breaking away from the acceptable. The labels used to define these acts are usually ‘normal’ or ‘abnormal’. Universally, both historically and today, heterosexuality is defined as the definitive line of ‘normality.’
In this paper, I challenge the concepts of ‘normal’ and ‘abnormal’ as a dividing line for sexual activities through an examination of sexual activities in history – oral and anal sex, homosexuality, bestiality, S&M, self-mutilation. I will raise the question of how power is brought to bear on the decision-making process when applying these labels – or indeed any laws in deciding what is acceptable or unacceptable in sexual interaction. I will see how understanding the past may bring us to a more equal resolution to accepting sexual difference now, and in the future – a must for good sexual health.
