Egan, R Danielle

Hawkes, Gail

2012

Popular discourses on the problem of sexualisation are beset by emotively charged rhetoric that all-too-often promotes a visceral and affective response as opposed to reasoned and nuanced examination. Drawing on materials from the Social Purity Movement (1860-1910) as well as contemporary anti-sexualisation literature, this article argues that a historical-situated perspective may help authors, activists and advocates offer a more reflexive perspective on 'the problem of sexualisation'. We forward a historically informed discourse analysis to render visible the longstanding, and deeply problematic, assumptions of childhood, gender and class at work in current concerns on sexualisation.

Gender and Education, 24(3), p. 269-284

1360-0516

0954-0253

https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/14286

en

Routledge

Sexuality, youth and the perils of endangered innocence: how history can help us get past the panic

Journal Article

Publication