Power And Sexuality

Justin Mak
105829601
HIS 393

Analyzing Knowledge, Power and Sexuality

At the turn of the eighteenth century, the notion of sexuality moved from the public spotlight into the home. An era of free expression had transformed into an era of both repressed desires and repression in sexual activities. This was also subsequent with the rise of the bourgeoisie, or the working middle class, as the subject of sex became taboo. Michel Foucalt, author of The History of Sexuality:An Introduction states that through the repression of sexuality, both power and knowledge are outcomes. Both discussion and media on the topic of pleasure or sex became a prime pathway to the repression of sexuality. Through the censorship and regulation of discourse
It may not be as prominent or noticeable as the discourse brought on by confession but it remained ever present in the mind of staff at educational institutions. “On the whole, one can have the impression that sex was hardly spoken of at all in these institutions. But one only has to glance over the architectural layout, the rules of discipline, and their whole internal organization:the question of sex was a constant preoccupation.” (Foucault 27) In essence, the emphasis on sexuality was veiled but always there and became increasingly referenced as you examine these institutions more closely. The classes, dormitories, and even the tables were all designed with the sexuality of children in mind. Because of this emphasis on educating the adolescants on sex, the children became surrounded by “precepts, opinions, observations, medical advice, clinical cases,” all about the topic of children's sexuality. This was succesful in “educating” the young children at the institutions but was also a magnification on the discourse on childrens sexuality. An experimental school was even established to educate youths on
It does not view power as a limiting force in which one group can use against another, nor is it an object that one can possess. He views power as being prevalent in every relationship, no matter from what side. This is directly in opposition to the juridico-discursive idea which maintains that power is “one-sided” oppressive. He lets us know that power cannot be applied to something but rather, it always exists within the relationship. Also, that power relationships are not uniform and can emerge at any level of society regardless of the majority power. Lastly, resistance is always a participant in the power relationship and is dynamic. Foucault stresses that we cannot percieve sexuality in terms of a one sided relationship. There are actually many power relations that sculpt our view on sexual discourse. He sets up four rules for his concept. His “Rule of immanence” maintains that knowledge and power are linked and that different manifestations of power effect our will to