(1976) - The History of Sexuality, Vol 1 - Michel Foucault

In The History of Sexuality, Vol. 1, Michel Foucault addresses the problem of the widespread belief that sexuality was repressed in the 19th century and that it was only liberated in the 20th century. He challenges this notion, arguing instead that sexuality became a subject of increasing regulation and discourse, with authorities focusing more on categorizing and controlling sexual behaviours rather than suppressing them. He contends that the intensification of discussions surrounding sexuality, from medical to legal spheres, exemplifies how power operates through knowledge, shaping and controlling individuals' sexualities as part of a broader mechanism of social control.