After reading Michel Foucault’s article, “History of Sexuality,” it is apparent that western culture is very fixated on sexuality. Michel refers to this fixation as a repression. According to Foucault, there are two different ways of viewing sexuality. They are “Erotic art” and “Science of sexuality.” The Erotic art look on sexuality is very popular among those in European countries. In their eyes, sex is seen as an art and not as something to shutter or be shameful of. However, sexuality is still kept as a secret. This is not because they portray sexuality as dishonorable, but more to preserve its power and pleasure. Science of sexuality, however, is more focused on this urgency to promote. As Foucault states, “ We are an extraordinarily confessing society.” Western society has a constant desire to confess in order to make the truth about sexuality exist. “Confessions have spread its effects far and wide” (Foucault). We see confessions in crimes, sins, medicine, family relations, judicial system, etc.
In the reading, Michel uses the term psychoanalysis, which represents our scientific and modern form of confession. The concept of “coming out of the closet” is a perfect example of modern day confession. Although ‘coming out’ as a homosexual was not a concern that Foucault had to consider when he wrote this article, it is an example of one’s compulsion to reveal one’s sexuality. By confessing and putting forth one’s opinion and sexual preference, it confirms one’s place in society.
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