Jeffrey Weeks - Revision history

Prue at 01:12, 1 October 2025

2025-10-01T01:12:13Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:12, 1 October 2025
Line 1:		Line 1:
	{{Template:Ac}}'''Jeffrey Weeks''' OBE (born 1945, in Rhondda, Wales) is a gay activist, historian and sociologist, specializing in work on sexuality. At time of writing, he is Emeritus Professor of Sociology at London South Bank University, regarded as "one of the leading British sociologists and historians within the field of sexuality",<ref>[https://www.ucl.ac.uk/campaign/jeffrey-weeks Jeffrey Weeks - UCL Campaign]</ref> and "the most significant British intellectual working on sexuality to emerge from the radical sexual movements of the 1970s".<ref>[https://academic.oup.com/hwj/article-abstract/69/1/258/553073 Jeffrey Weeks and the History of Sexuality - Oxford Academic]</ref> He is among the early academics in Britain that emerged from the ''Gay Liberation Front'' (GLF), which he joined in 1970, and a founding member of the journal ''Gay Left'' which famously examined [[Pedophilia]] and platformed dissident voices such as [[PIE]] Chairman [[Thomas_O'Carroll\|Tom O'Carroll]]. Weeks has written on intergenerational sexuality in various publications, including his book ''Sexuality and its Discontents'' (1985).		{{Template:Ac}}[[File:363691395-736083404-Jeffrey Weeks by Mark McNestry.jpg\|thumb\|200px\|left\|Jeffrey Weeks]]'''Jeffrey Weeks''' OBE (born 1945, in Rhondda, Wales) is a gay activist, historian and sociologist, specializing in work on sexuality. At time of writing, he is Emeritus Professor of Sociology at London South Bank University, regarded as "one of the leading British sociologists and historians within the field of sexuality",<ref>[https://www.ucl.ac.uk/campaign/jeffrey-weeks Jeffrey Weeks - UCL Campaign]</ref> and "the most significant British intellectual working on sexuality to emerge from the radical sexual movements of the 1970s".<ref>[https://academic.oup.com/hwj/article-abstract/69/1/258/553073 Jeffrey Weeks and the History of Sexuality - Oxford Academic]</ref> He is among the early academics in Britain that emerged from the ''Gay Liberation Front'' (GLF), which he joined in 1970, and a founding member of the journal ''Gay Left'' which famously examined [[Pedophilia]] and platformed dissident voices such as [[PIE]] Chairman [[Thomas_O'Carroll\|Tom O'Carroll]]. Weeks has written on intergenerational sexuality in various publications, including his book ''Sexuality and its Discontents'' (1985).

	He has been on the editorial board of several journals, including the [[Journal of Homosexuality]].		He has been on the editorial board of several journals, including the [[Journal of Homosexuality]].

The Admins: I assume these are improvements

2024-12-16T16:38:51Z

I assume these are improvements

Show changes

The Admins at 16:28, 16 December 2024

2024-12-16T16:28:37Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:28, 16 December 2024
Line 11:		Line 11:
	*The Gay Left Collective. Happy Families? Paedophilia Examined. ''Gay Left: A Gay Socialist Journal'', Issue 7 (Winter 1978/79), pp. 2-6.<ref>The Gay Left Collective. Happy Families? Paedophilia Examined. ''Gay Left: A Gay Socialist Journal'', Issue 7 (Winter 1978/79)</ref> [O'Carroll's article titled ''Chemical Castration'' was published in this issue]. Responses to the Collective's discussion on pedophilia were published in issue 8, with separate contributions by Jamie Gough and Tom O'Carroll.<ref>O’Carroll, Paedophilia: A Response, in ''Gay Left: A Gay Socialist Journal'', Issue 8 (Summer 1979), pp. 13-17. Jamie Gough, Childhood Sexuality & Paedophilia, is the contribution following O'Carroll's.</ref> Issue 7 platformed Jean Le Bitoux, a French gay activist who went on to found the [[List_of_MAP-related_magazines\|MAP friendly gay magazine]] ''Gai pied / Gai pied hebdo''<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gai_pied Gai Pied] Wiki</ref>, while issue 8 reviewed [[Parker Rossman]]'s ''Sexual Experience Between Men and Boys'' (1976, available in our [[Chronological_Archive\|chronological archive]]).		*The Gay Left Collective. Happy Families? Paedophilia Examined. ''Gay Left: A Gay Socialist Journal'', Issue 7 (Winter 1978/79), pp. 2-6.<ref>The Gay Left Collective. Happy Families? Paedophilia Examined. ''Gay Left: A Gay Socialist Journal'', Issue 7 (Winter 1978/79)</ref> [O'Carroll's article titled ''Chemical Castration'' was published in this issue]. Responses to the Collective's discussion on pedophilia were published in issue 8, with separate contributions by Jamie Gough and Tom O'Carroll.<ref>O’Carroll, Paedophilia: A Response, in ''Gay Left: A Gay Socialist Journal'', Issue 8 (Summer 1979), pp. 13-17. Jamie Gough, Childhood Sexuality & Paedophilia, is the contribution following O'Carroll's.</ref> Issue 7 platformed Jean Le Bitoux, a French gay activist who went on to found the [[List_of_MAP-related_magazines\|MAP friendly gay magazine]] ''Gai pied / Gai pied hebdo''<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gai_pied Gai Pied] Wiki</ref>, while issue 8 reviewed [[Parker Rossman]]'s ''Sexual Experience Between Men and Boys'' (1976, available in our [[Chronological_Archive\|chronological archive]]).

	*Weeks, (1981). Sexuality and Social Policy. ''Critical Social Policy'', #2, 1, pages 111-118.<ref>[https://annas-archive.org/md5/fe8eb8a36e09798a6c23429853243d8e Weeks, (1981). Sexuality and Social Policy. ''Critical Social Policy'', #2, 1, pages 111-118] (Annas Archive link).</ref> [Reviews John Hart, ''Social Work and Sexual Conduct'' (1979), [[Thomas_O'Carroll\|O'Carroll]], [[Paedophilia:~~_The_Radical_Case~~\|''Paedophilia: The Radical Case'']] (1980, available in our [[Chronological_Archive\|chronological archive]]), and Brian Taylor (ed.), ''Perspectives on Paedophilia'' (1981)].		*Weeks, (1981). Sexuality and Social Policy. ''Critical Social Policy'', #2, 1, pages 111-118.<ref>[https://annas-archive.org/md5/fe8eb8a36e09798a6c23429853243d8e Weeks, (1981). Sexuality and Social Policy. ''Critical Social Policy'', #2, 1, pages 111-118] (Annas Archive link).</ref> [Reviews John Hart, ''Social Work and Sexual Conduct'' (1979), [[Thomas_O'Carroll\|O'Carroll]], [[Paedophilia: The Radical Case\|''Paedophilia: The Radical Case'']] (1980, available in our [[Chronological_Archive\|chronological archive]]), and Brian Taylor (ed.), ''Perspectives on Paedophilia'' (1981)].

	<blockquote>''O’Carroll’s book is ''[...]'' an impassioned polemic, carefully researched and well written, but clearly and openly a piece of political argument, though nonetheless important and significant for that. Its author has, of course, already attained a public notoriety, and is currently serving a prison sentence as a victim of the catch-all crime of 'conspiracy to corrupt public morals' ''[...]'' The book is a testimony to his courage and honesty, but also, perhaps, to a certain political insouciance which has had unfortunate results. ''[...]''''</blockquote>		<blockquote>''O’Carroll’s book is ''[...]'' an impassioned polemic, carefully researched and well written, but clearly and openly a piece of political argument, though nonetheless important and significant for that. Its author has, of course, already attained a public notoriety, and is currently serving a prison sentence as a victim of the catch-all crime of 'conspiracy to corrupt public morals' ''[...]'' The book is a testimony to his courage and honesty, but also, perhaps, to a certain political insouciance which has had unfortunate results. ''[...]''''</blockquote>

Prue: /* Relevant Publications */

2024-12-14T21:59:17Z

Relevant Publications

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:59, 14 December 2024
Line 19:		Line 19:
	<blockquote>''''[O'Carroll]'' hints at the need to break the connections between sexuality and power while simultaneously devaluing the importance culturally assigned to 'the sexual'. It is on this point that O'Carroll’s work can be said to contribute to the debate as to what should constitute a radical social policy towards sexuality. The absolutist, liberal and libertarian approaches have all stressed the social importance of sexuality; its sacredness, or its status as the last refuge of individual freedom, or its centrality to human liberation. Increasingly, [[Communism\|socialists]] are coming to recognize that the initial questions must be: why do we give sexuality such a crucial significance; what are the social factors that have shaped this central, organizing role of sexuality; and should this historically determined role continue to guide our actions''[? ...]'' Sexual antagonisms cannot be finally eliminated, but they need not have the central significance we tend to assign to them today. What is needed is a framework of analysis and a process of empathetic decision-making which will eliminate arbitrary procedures and maximize the possibilities of a non-exploitative freedom of choice. Whatever their (necessary) limitations, these three books do provide invaluable material for the essential, basic, discussions we need on this issue.''</blockquote>		<blockquote>''''[O'Carroll]'' hints at the need to break the connections between sexuality and power while simultaneously devaluing the importance culturally assigned to 'the sexual'. It is on this point that O'Carroll’s work can be said to contribute to the debate as to what should constitute a radical social policy towards sexuality. The absolutist, liberal and libertarian approaches have all stressed the social importance of sexuality; its sacredness, or its status as the last refuge of individual freedom, or its centrality to human liberation. Increasingly, [[Communism\|socialists]] are coming to recognize that the initial questions must be: why do we give sexuality such a crucial significance; what are the social factors that have shaped this central, organizing role of sexuality; and should this historically determined role continue to guide our actions''[? ...]'' Sexual antagonisms cannot be finally eliminated, but they need not have the central significance we tend to assign to them today. What is needed is a framework of analysis and a process of empathetic decision-making which will eliminate arbitrary procedures and maximize the possibilities of a non-exploitative freedom of choice. Whatever their (necessary) limitations, these three books do provide invaluable material for the essential, basic, discussions we need on this issue.''</blockquote>

	*Weeks, 'Paedophilias?'; ''Gay News'' [London], Number 263; 29 April, 1983.<ref>[https://www.brongersma.info/Paedophilias%3F 'Paedophilias?'; ''Gay News'' [London<nowiki>]</nowiki>, Number 263; 29 April, 1983.] (Brongersma Info Link)</ref> [Reviews The Child-Lovers: A Study of Paedophiles in Society, by Glenn D. Wilson and David N. Cox (available in our [[Chronological_Archive\|chronological archive]]).		*Weeks, 'Paedophilias?'; ''Gay News'' [London], Number 263; 29 April, 1983.<ref>[https://www.brongersma.info/Paedophilias%3F 'Paedophilias?'; ''Gay News'' [London<nowiki>]</nowiki>, Number 263; 29 April, 1983.] (Brongersma Info Link)</ref> [Reviews The Child-Lovers: A Study of Paedophiles in Society, by Glenn D. Wilson and David N. Cox (available in our [[Chronological_Archive\|chronological archive]])].

	*Weeks, ''Sexuality and its Discontents: Meanings, Myths & Modern Sexualities'' (London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1985):		*Weeks, ''Sexuality and its Discontents: Meanings, Myths & Modern Sexualities'' (London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1985):

Prue: /* Relevant Publications */

2024-12-14T21:56:44Z

Relevant Publications

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:56, 14 December 2024
Line 9:		Line 9:
	*Jeffrey Weeks, Preface to the English translation of [[Guy Hocquenghem]], ''Homosexual Desire'' (1972, English translation 1978), speculated to be the first work of [[Queer Theory]].<ref>''[https://library.lol/main/A454A03998418233F129F6867219F5A7 Homosexual Desire]''</ref>		*Jeffrey Weeks, Preface to the English translation of [[Guy Hocquenghem]], ''Homosexual Desire'' (1972, English translation 1978), speculated to be the first work of [[Queer Theory]].<ref>''[https://library.lol/main/A454A03998418233F129F6867219F5A7 Homosexual Desire]''</ref>

	*The Gay Left Collective. Happy Families? Paedophilia Examined. ''Gay Left: A Gay Socialist Journal'', Issue 7 (Winter 1978/79), pp. 2-6.<ref>The Gay Left Collective. Happy Families? Paedophilia Examined. ''Gay Left: A Gay Socialist Journal'', Issue 7 (Winter 1978/79)</ref> [O'Carroll's article titled ''Chemical Castration'' was published in this issue. Responses to the Collective's discussion on pedophilia were published in issue 8, with separate contributions by Jamie Gough and Tom O'Carroll.<ref>O’Carroll, Paedophilia: A Response, in ''Gay Left: A Gay Socialist Journal'', Issue 8 (Summer 1979), pp. 13-17. Jamie Gough, Childhood Sexuality & Paedophilia, is the contribution following O'Carroll's.</ref> Issue 7 platformed Jean Le Bitoux, a French gay activist who went on to found the [[List_of_MAP-related_magazines\|MAP friendly gay magazine]] ''Gai pied / Gai pied hebdo''<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gai_pied Gai Pied] Wiki</ref>, while issue 8 reviewed [[Parker Rossman]]'s ''Sexual Experience Between Men and Boys'' (1976, available in our [[Chronological_Archive\|chronological archive]]).		*The Gay Left Collective. Happy Families? Paedophilia Examined. ''Gay Left: A Gay Socialist Journal'', Issue 7 (Winter 1978/79), pp. 2-6.<ref>The Gay Left Collective. Happy Families? Paedophilia Examined. ''Gay Left: A Gay Socialist Journal'', Issue 7 (Winter 1978/79)</ref> [O'Carroll's article titled ''Chemical Castration'' was published in this issue]. Responses to the Collective's discussion on pedophilia were published in issue 8, with separate contributions by Jamie Gough and Tom O'Carroll.<ref>O’Carroll, Paedophilia: A Response, in ''Gay Left: A Gay Socialist Journal'', Issue 8 (Summer 1979), pp. 13-17. Jamie Gough, Childhood Sexuality & Paedophilia, is the contribution following O'Carroll's.</ref> Issue 7 platformed Jean Le Bitoux, a French gay activist who went on to found the [[List_of_MAP-related_magazines\|MAP friendly gay magazine]] ''Gai pied / Gai pied hebdo''<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gai_pied Gai Pied] Wiki</ref>, while issue 8 reviewed [[Parker Rossman]]'s ''Sexual Experience Between Men and Boys'' (1976, available in our [[Chronological_Archive\|chronological archive]]).

	*Weeks, (1981). Sexuality and Social Policy. ''Critical Social Policy'', #2, 1, pages 111-118.<ref>[https://annas-archive.org/md5/fe8eb8a36e09798a6c23429853243d8e Weeks, (1981). Sexuality and Social Policy. ''Critical Social Policy'', #2, 1, pages 111-118] (Annas Archive link).</ref> [Reviews John Hart, ''Social Work and Sexual Conduct'' (1979), [[Thomas_O'Carroll\|O'Carroll]], ''Paedophilia: The Radical Case'' (1980, available in our [[Chronological_Archive\|chronological archive]]), and Brian Taylor (ed.), ''Perspectives on Paedophilia'' (1981)].		*Weeks, (1981). Sexuality and Social Policy. ''Critical Social Policy'', #2, 1, pages 111-118.<ref>[https://annas-archive.org/md5/fe8eb8a36e09798a6c23429853243d8e Weeks, (1981). Sexuality and Social Policy. ''Critical Social Policy'', #2, 1, pages 111-118] (Annas Archive link).</ref> [Reviews John Hart, ''Social Work and Sexual Conduct'' (1979), [[Thomas_O'Carroll\|O'Carroll]], [[Paedophilia:_The_Radical_Case\|''Paedophilia: The Radical Case'']] (1980, available in our [[Chronological_Archive\|chronological archive]]), and Brian Taylor (ed.), ''Perspectives on Paedophilia'' (1981)].

	<blockquote>''O’Carroll’s book is ''[...]'' an impassioned polemic, carefully researched and well written, but clearly and openly a piece of political argument, though nonetheless important and significant for that. Its author has, of course, already attained a public notoriety, and is currently serving a prison sentence as a victim of the catch-all crime of 'conspiracy to corrupt public morals' ''[...]'' The book is a testimony to his courage and honesty, but also, perhaps, to a certain political insouciance which has had unfortunate results. ''[...]''''</blockquote>		<blockquote>''O’Carroll’s book is ''[...]'' an impassioned polemic, carefully researched and well written, but clearly and openly a piece of political argument, though nonetheless important and significant for that. Its author has, of course, already attained a public notoriety, and is currently serving a prison sentence as a victim of the catch-all crime of 'conspiracy to corrupt public morals' ''[...]'' The book is a testimony to his courage and honesty, but also, perhaps, to a certain political insouciance which has had unfortunate results. ''[...]''''</blockquote>
Line 38:		Line 38:
	*Weeks, ''The World We Have Won: The Remaking of Erotic and Intimate Life'' (London & New York: Routledge, 2007):		*Weeks, ''The World We Have Won: The Remaking of Erotic and Intimate Life'' (London & New York: Routledge, 2007):

	<blockquote>''The [[Age_of_Consent\|age of consent]] may be an ambiguous barrier for young people themselves but it is a fraught one for many adults, usually men. The age of consent itself is constructed in terms of protection of young girls, and it assumes male agency. ''[...]'' Behaviours which were once regarded as natural and even healthy (childhood nudity, for example) have become fraught with menace, as parents and carers have discovered when their holiday photographs of naked children playing on the beach have been processed, and police summoned.''</blockquote>		<blockquote>''The [[Age_of_Consent\|age of consent]] may be an ambiguous barrier for young people themselves but it is a fraught one for many adults, usually men. The age of consent itself is constructed in terms of protection of young girls, and it assumes male agency. ''[...]'' Behaviours which were once regarded as natural and even healthy (childhood nudity, for example) have become fraught with menace, as parents and carers have discovered when their holiday photographs of naked children playing on the beach have been processed, and police summoned.''</blockquote>

	==Footnotes==		==Footnotes==

	[[Category:People: Academics]][[Category:People: Critical Analysts]][[Category:People: Academics]][[Category:History & Events: British]][[Category:Sociological Theory]][[Category:Gay]][[Category:Research on Minor Attraction]][[Category:Research: Broader Perspectives]][[Category:Terminology: Academic]][[Category:History & Events: 1970s]][[Category:People: British]][[Category:Sociological Theory]]		[[Category:People: Academics]][[Category:People: Critical Analysts]][[Category:People: Academics]][[Category:History & Events: British]][[Category:Sociological Theory]][[Category:Gay]][[Category:Research on Minor Attraction]][[Category:Research: Broader Perspectives]][[Category:Terminology: Academic]][[Category:History & Events: 1970s]][[Category:People: British]][[Category:Sociological Theory]]

The Admins at 12:53, 8 February 2024

2024-02-08T12:53:42Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:53, 8 February 2024
Line 17:		Line 17:
	<blockquote>''At random one might cite the problems with age of consent legislation, where apprehension of the legal snares can lead the social worker to be preoccupied with chronological rather than emotional age. On the question of adult-child sexual relations, in particular, personal (and, again, legal) preoccupations can obscure the fact that such relations are often initiated by the child.''[...]''''</blockquote>		<blockquote>''At random one might cite the problems with age of consent legislation, where apprehension of the legal snares can lead the social worker to be preoccupied with chronological rather than emotional age. On the question of adult-child sexual relations, in particular, personal (and, again, legal) preoccupations can obscure the fact that such relations are often initiated by the child.''[...]''''</blockquote>

	<blockquote>''[O'Carroll] hints at the need to break the connections between sexuality and power while simultaneously devaluing the importance culturally assigned to 'the sexual'. It is on this point that O'Carroll’s work can be said to contribute to the debate as to what should constitute a radical social policy towards sexuality. The absolutist, liberal and libertarian approaches have all stressed the social importance of sexuality; its sacredness, or its status as the last refuge of individual freedom, or its centrality to human liberation. Increasingly, [[Communism\|socialists]] are coming to recognize that the initial questions must be: why do we give sexuality such a crucial significance; what are the social factors that have shaped this central, organizing role of sexuality; and should this historically determined role continue to guide our actions''[? ...]'' Sexual antagonisms cannot be finally eliminated, but they need not have the central significance we tend to assign to them today. What is needed is a framework of analysis and a process of empathetic decision-making which will eliminate arbitrary procedures and maximize the possibilities of a non-exploitative freedom of choice. Whatever their (necessary) limitations, these three books do provide invaluable material for the essential, basic, discussions we need on this issue.''</blockquote>		<blockquote>''''[O'Carroll]'' hints at the need to break the connections between sexuality and power while simultaneously devaluing the importance culturally assigned to 'the sexual'. It is on this point that O'Carroll’s work can be said to contribute to the debate as to what should constitute a radical social policy towards sexuality. The absolutist, liberal and libertarian approaches have all stressed the social importance of sexuality; its sacredness, or its status as the last refuge of individual freedom, or its centrality to human liberation. Increasingly, [[Communism\|socialists]] are coming to recognize that the initial questions must be: why do we give sexuality such a crucial significance; what are the social factors that have shaped this central, organizing role of sexuality; and should this historically determined role continue to guide our actions''[? ...]'' Sexual antagonisms cannot be finally eliminated, but they need not have the central significance we tend to assign to them today. What is needed is a framework of analysis and a process of empathetic decision-making which will eliminate arbitrary procedures and maximize the possibilities of a non-exploitative freedom of choice. Whatever their (necessary) limitations, these three books do provide invaluable material for the essential, basic, discussions we need on this issue.''</blockquote>

	*Weeks, 'Paedophilias?'; ''Gay News'' [London], Number 263; 29 April, 1983.<ref>[https://www.brongersma.info/Paedophilias%3F 'Paedophilias?'; ''Gay News'' [London<nowiki>]</nowiki>, Number 263; 29 April, 1983.] (Brongersma Info Link)</ref> [Reviews The Child-Lovers: A Study of Paedophiles in Society, by Glenn D. Wilson and David N. Cox (available in our [[Chronological_Archive\|chronological archive]]).		*Weeks, 'Paedophilias?'; ''Gay News'' [London], Number 263; 29 April, 1983.<ref>[https://www.brongersma.info/Paedophilias%3F 'Paedophilias?'; ''Gay News'' [London<nowiki>]</nowiki>, Number 263; 29 April, 1983.] (Brongersma Info Link)</ref> [Reviews The Child-Lovers: A Study of Paedophiles in Society, by Glenn D. Wilson and David N. Cox (available in our [[Chronological_Archive\|chronological archive]]).

The Admins at 12:52, 8 February 2024

2024-02-08T12:52:33Z

Prue at 09:10, 8 February 2024

2024-02-08T09:10:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:10, 8 February 2024
Line 33:		Line 33:

	*Weeks, ''Sexuality'', 3rd edition (London & New York: Routledge, 2010; first edition 1986):		*Weeks, ''Sexuality'', 3rd edition (London & New York: Routledge, 2010; first edition 1986):
	'''4. The limits of consent: paedophilia'''		'''The limits of consent: paedophilia'''
	<blockquote>''The power relations that sex can involve are most dramatically illustrated by the question of sex between the generations, or paedophilia. Few topics arouse such fear and anxiety in contemporary societies. The ‘paedophile’ has become a symbol of predatory evil, a synonym indeed not only for child abuser but also in many cases for child abductor and even murderer. [...] Yet this has not always been the case. [...] In the late nineteenth century paedophilia was lauded by some for its pedagogic possibilities – the so-called [[Greek Love]] justification: in the passage from childhood dependence to adult responsibility, guidance, sexual and moral, of a caring man can be invaluable, it was argued. It was further legitimated in the twentieth century by the supposed facts of childhood sexuality: sexology itself has revealed [[Research:_Youth_sexuality\|the wide extent of childhood sexual potentiality]] including the existence of [[Masturbation\|infantile masturbation]]. If something is so natural, and omnipresent, should it be as rigidly controlled as childhood sexuality is today? And again, if it is natural, then surely it cannot be harmful even if it takes place with adults. [...] Despite, or perhaps because of, the emotiveness of the issue, it is important to be as rational and dispassionate as possible in looking at what is involved. Age is an ambiguous marker.''</blockquote>		<blockquote>''The power relations that sex can involve are most dramatically illustrated by the question of sex between the generations, or paedophilia. Few topics arouse such fear and anxiety in contemporary societies. The ‘paedophile’ has become a symbol of predatory evil, a synonym indeed not only for child abuser but also in many cases for child abductor and even murderer. [...] Yet this has not always been the case. [...] In the late nineteenth century paedophilia was lauded by some for its pedagogic possibilities – the so-called [[Greek Love]] justification: in the passage from childhood dependence to adult responsibility, guidance, sexual and moral, of a caring man can be invaluable, it was argued. It was further legitimated in the twentieth century by the supposed facts of childhood sexuality: sexology itself has revealed [[Research:_Youth_sexuality\|the wide extent of childhood sexual potentiality]] including the existence of [[Masturbation\|infantile masturbation]]. If something is so natural, and omnipresent, should it be as rigidly controlled as childhood sexuality is today? And again, if it is natural, then surely it cannot be harmful even if it takes place with adults. [...] Despite, or perhaps because of, the emotiveness of the issue, it is important to be as rational and dispassionate as possible in looking at what is involved. Age is an ambiguous marker.''</blockquote>

Prue at 09:09, 8 February 2024

2024-02-08T09:09:06Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:09, 8 February 2024
Line 30:		Line 30:
	<blockquote>''When the official age of consent in France is 15 for boys and girls in heterosexual and homosexual relations (compared to 16 for girls in Britain, and 21 for male homosexuals), and when in the 1890s Krafft-Ebing fixed on 14 for the dividing line between sexually mature and immature individuals, the fear that NAMBLA is attempting a corruption of young people seems excessive. [...] [[Theo_Sandfort\|Sandfort found that in his sample the boys overwhelmingly experienced their sexual activities as positive]]. The most common evaluative terms used were 'nice', 'happy', 'free', 'safe', 'satisfied', and even 'proud' and 'strong'; and only minimally were negative terms such as 'angry', 'sad', 'lonely' used. Even when these negative terms were used, it was largely because of the secrecy often necessary and the knowledge of hostile norms and reactions, not because of the sexual contact itself. [...]''</blockquote>		<blockquote>''When the official age of consent in France is 15 for boys and girls in heterosexual and homosexual relations (compared to 16 for girls in Britain, and 21 for male homosexuals), and when in the 1890s Krafft-Ebing fixed on 14 for the dividing line between sexually mature and immature individuals, the fear that NAMBLA is attempting a corruption of young people seems excessive. [...] [[Theo_Sandfort\|Sandfort found that in his sample the boys overwhelmingly experienced their sexual activities as positive]]. The most common evaluative terms used were 'nice', 'happy', 'free', 'safe', 'satisfied', and even 'proud' and 'strong'; and only minimally were negative terms such as 'angry', 'sad', 'lonely' used. Even when these negative terms were used, it was largely because of the secrecy often necessary and the knowledge of hostile norms and reactions, not because of the sexual contact itself. [...]''</blockquote>

	<blockquote>''If a progressive sexual politics is fundamentally concerned with sexual self-determination, then it becomes impossible to ignore the evolving self-awareness of the child. That means discouraging the unwelcome imposition of adult meanings and needs on the child [...] On the other hand, it does mean providing young people with full access to the means of sexual knowledge and protection as it becomes appropriate. There is no magic age for this 'appropriateness'. Each young person will have their own rhythms, needs and time scale. But the starting point can only be the belief that sex in itself is not an evil or dirty experience. It is not sex that is dangerous but the social relations which shape it.''</blockquote>		<blockquote>''If a progressive sexual politics is fundamentally concerned with sexual self-determination, then it becomes impossible to ignore the evolving self-awareness of the child. That means discouraging the unwelcome imposition of adult meanings and needs on the child [...] On the other hand, it does mean providing young people with full access to the means of sexual knowledge and protection as it becomes appropriate. <span style="background:#ffd9e5">There is no magic age for this 'appropriateness'. Each young person will have their own rhythms, needs and time scale. But the starting point can only be the belief that sex in itself is not an evil or dirty experience. It is not sex that is dangerous but the social relations which shape it.</span>''</blockquote>

	*Weeks, ''Sexuality'', 3rd edition (London & New York: Routledge, 2010; first edition 1986):		*Weeks, ''Sexuality'', 3rd edition (London & New York: Routledge, 2010; first edition 1986):

Prue at 09:04, 8 February 2024

2024-02-08T09:04:37Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:04, 8 February 2024
Line 1:		Line 1:
	'''Jeffrey Weeks''' OBE (born 1945, in Rhondda, Wales) is a gay activist, historian and sociologist, specializing in work on sexuality. At time of writing, he is Emeritus Professor of Sociology at London South Bank University, regarded as "one of the leading British sociologists and historians within the field of sexuality",<ref>[https://www.ucl.ac.uk/campaign/jeffrey-weeks Jeffrey Weeks - UCL Campaign]</ref> and "the most significant British intellectual working on sexuality to emerge from the radical sexual movements of the 1970s".<ref>[https://academic.oup.com/hwj/article-abstract/69/1/258/553073 Jeffrey Weeks and the History of Sexuality - Oxford Academic]</ref> He is among the early academics in Britain that emerged from the ''Gay Liberation Front'' (GLF), which he joined in 1970, and a founding member of the journal ''Gay Left'' which famously examined [[Pedophilia]] and platformed dissident voices such as [[PIE]] Chairman [[Thomas_O'Carroll\|Tom O'Carroll]]. Weeks has written on intergenerational sexuality in various publications, including his book ''Sexuality and its Discontents'' (1985).		{{Template:Ac}}'''Jeffrey Weeks''' OBE (born 1945, in Rhondda, Wales) is a gay activist, historian and sociologist, specializing in work on sexuality. At time of writing, he is Emeritus Professor of Sociology at London South Bank University, regarded as "one of the leading British sociologists and historians within the field of sexuality",<ref>[https://www.ucl.ac.uk/campaign/jeffrey-weeks Jeffrey Weeks - UCL Campaign]</ref> and "the most significant British intellectual working on sexuality to emerge from the radical sexual movements of the 1970s".<ref>[https://academic.oup.com/hwj/article-abstract/69/1/258/553073 Jeffrey Weeks and the History of Sexuality - Oxford Academic]</ref> He is among the early academics in Britain that emerged from the ''Gay Liberation Front'' (GLF), which he joined in 1970, and a founding member of the journal ''Gay Left'' which famously examined [[Pedophilia]] and platformed dissident voices such as [[PIE]] Chairman [[Thomas_O'Carroll\|Tom O'Carroll]]. Weeks has written on intergenerational sexuality in various publications, including his book ''Sexuality and its Discontents'' (1985).

	He has been on the editorial board of several journals, including the [[Journal of Homosexuality]].		He has been on the editorial board of several journals, including the [[Journal of Homosexuality]].