Sexuality Research and Scandals: Alfred Kinsey's 20th-Century Perspectives

In the mid-20th century, American society was shaken by the sexuality research conducted by Alfred Kinsey and his colleagues. These studies caused a real scandal and redefined traditional notions of sexual norm and "deviations." The book "Sex in the Age of Consent" discusses the influence of these studies and their impact on sexual ethics.

Alfred Kinsey, an entomologist by training, shifted his focus to the study of human sexuality and became famous for his extensive data and surveys. He proposed "sexual discharge" as a unit of measurement for sexual experience and focused on orgasm as a central aspect of sexual life. This approach changed established views on female orgasm and sexual relationships between men and women. He removed orgasm from the realm associated with marriage and procreation, which provoked strong reactions in society.

One of the key aspects discussed in the book is the question of objectivity and reliability of data in sexuality research. People often cannot honestly disclose their sexual experiences and preferences due to shame and social expectations. Sociologists and psychologists face difficulties in obtaining reliable information solely through surveys.

In this regard, Kinsey suggested using "objective" physiological indicators, such as orgasm, as a measure of sexual experience. This approach allowed him to avoid judgments and bias, although it was not perfect. He also conducted extensive surveys and used statistics to analyze data.

The research of Alfred Kinsey and his colleagues sparked a revolution in understanding sexuality. Their emphasis on orgasm and objective data changed traditional notions of sexual norm and "deviations." However, these studies also faced criticism and caused scandals as they shattered established beliefs.

Today, sexuality research continues to evolve, and we continue to seek more accurate and objective ways to understand and study the human sexual sphere.