Social Control of Sex Expression

Social Control of Sex Expression Synopsis

First published in 1930, Social Control of Sex Expression is a study of the control exercised by Anglo American law over voluntary sex expression. Divided into three parts the book starts with the doctrine of sex repression among primitive peoples, among the ancient Hebrews and early Christians. It then explores the doctrine in English law and the problems of sexual morality and temporal jurisdiction in the second part. The last and final part looks at the doctrine in Anglo American law from pre-revolutionary America to America today.

Two facts standout in relief from this study. The one is, that the methods of legal control of sex expression have varied widely throughout Anglo-American history. The other is, that the attitude behind the law, the doctrine of sexual morality itself, has varied not at all. The author argues that though the forms of control have changed, the fact of control, less tangible, still persists. This is an interesting read for scholars and researchers of sociology, law and psychology.