Sexuality in Premodern Europe

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How did sexual relationships function before, in, and outside of marriage in the pre-modern era? What challenges did contraception and sexually transmitted diseases present? How were prostitution and pornography addressed? What opportunities existed for same-sex and queer desire? This exploration reveals that sexual life was crucial for the coexistence of couples and communities, shaping individual identities and influencing the social, economic, and political order. Franz X. Eder emphasizes a socio-historical perspective on sexuality, contrasting the dominant cultural viewpoint in the field. Sexual behavior is framed as a social practice, allowing Eder to examine its role in upbringing, socialization, and the perceptions of men and women. The book also delves into the significance of sexual life for marriage initiation and relationships, as well as the experiences of concubinage. Deviant sexual forms, including prostitution, pornography, and same-sex acts, are discussed throughout. It highlights how many individuals navigated sexual experiences before, alongside, or outside of marriage, even when such practices were forbidden. Unlike previous research that focused on regulation and sanctioning, this work presents these experiences as 'positive' practices that enabled individuals to understand and embrace their sexual desires.