Book

The New Politics of Sex

by Stephen Baskerville

📖 Overview

The New Politics of Sex examines how sexual politics and policies have transformed modern governance and civil liberties. The book analyzes changes in law, bureaucracy, and culture regarding marriage, family, and sexuality since the sexual revolution. Baskerville presents documentation and case studies about divorce courts, domestic violence laws, sexual harassment policies, and child support enforcement. His investigation traces the growth of government power through various programs and agencies that regulate intimate relationships. The book explores the implications of these developments for traditional civil rights, religious freedom, and constitutional protections. The text connects sexual politics to broader questions about state authority, individual liberty, and institutional power. This work contributes to ongoing debates about the intersection of private life and public policy in Western democracies. The analysis raises fundamental questions about the nature of freedom and the proper limits of government involvement in citizens' personal relationships.

👀 Reviews

Readers describe this as a scholarly critique of modern sexual politics and feminism's influence on law/policy. Reviews focus on the book's examination of government overreach in family matters and sexual harassment regulations. Readers appreciate: - Detailed documentation and extensive citations - Analysis of how family courts operate - Historical context for policy changes - Clear writing style despite complex topics Common criticisms: - Perceived right-wing bias - Lack of proposed solutions - Dense academic tone - Repetitive arguments Review Metrics: Amazon: 4.5/5 (86 ratings) Goodreads: 4.1/5 (31 ratings) "Thoroughly researched but could be more concise" notes one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads review states it "reveals uncomfortable truths about modern gender politics." Critical reviews often mention its "polemical tone" and "one-sided perspective." Several readers note it works better as an academic reference than casual reading.

📚 Similar books

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The War Against Boys by Christina Hoff Sommers An analysis of how educational and social policies have created disadvantages for boys in modern society.

Who Stole Feminism? by Christina Hoff Sommers A systematic examination of modern feminist ideology and its departure from classical feminism's equality-based roots.

The Sex-Crime Panic by Roger N. Lancaster A study of how sex crime laws and moral panics have transformed legal systems and social relationships.

Men on Strike by Helen Smith An investigation into why men are withdrawing from marriage, higher education, and social institutions in response to contemporary gender politics.

🤔 Interesting facts

🔷 Stephen Baskerville served as president of the American Coalition for Fathers and Children and has testified before Congress on the impact of family court policies. 🔷 The book explores how sexual politics has expanded beyond traditional feminist issues into areas like law enforcement, university administration, and public health bureaucracies. 🔷 Baskerville taught at Patrick Henry College and Howard University, bringing perspectives from both conservative and historically black institutions to his analysis. 🔷 The work draws connections between the growth of government power and changes in sexual/family policy, particularly examining how divorce laws have expanded state authority. 🔷 Though published in 2017, the book predicted several contemporary debates about gender, including the increasing role of Title IX offices on college campuses.