First published in 1930, Social Control of Sex Expression is a study of the control exercised by Anglo American law over voluntary sex expression. Divided into three parts the book starts with the doctrine of sex repression among primitive peoples, among the ancient Hebrews and early Christians. It then explores the doctrine in English law and the problems of sexual morality and temporal jurisdiction in the second part. The last and final part looks at the doctrine in Anglo American law from pre-revolutionary America to America today.
Two facts standout in relief from this study. The one is, that the methods of legal control of sex expression have varied widely throughout Anglo-American history. The other is, that the attitude behind the law, the doctrine of sexual morality itself, has varied not at all. The author argues that though the forms of control have changed, the fact of control, less tangible, still persists. This is an interesting read for scholars and researchers of sociology, law and psychology.
Introduction Book I: The Doctrine of Sex Repression 1. Among Primitive Peoples 2. Among the Ancient Hebrews 3. Among the Early Christians Book II: The Doctrine in English Law 4. In the Anglo-Saxon Period 5. The Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction 6. The Problems of Sexual Morality 7. The Ecclesiastical Administration in Practice 8. The Temporal Jurisdiction 9. The High Commission 10. During the Interregnum 11. Since the Restoration Book III: The Doctrine in Anglo-American Law 12. In Pre-Revolutionary America 13. In America Today Conclusion Bibliography Index
Biography
Geoffrey May
“Mr. May provides a wealth of historical information which shows a painstaking and intelligent use of his sources. The documentation deserves special mention: the bibliography which includes the work cited in the text takes up nineteen pages. Thus, the book will provide many points of departure for further research. It should prove particularly valuable to students of the law and of social institutions, psychologists and to any who wish to be informed on a highly complex and important problem”.
- Miles Murphy, University of Pennsylvania Law Review, June 1931
