History of Bundling Henry Reed Stiles

Authors: Colette WanlessSobel

Publish Date: 2006/11/16

Volume: 35, Issue: 6, Pages: 753-756

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Abstract

The history of sexuality in colonial and early republican America 1585–1800 presents unusual opportunities and challenges for scholars Until recently the 16th 17th and 18th centuries have remained a relatively underworked segment of the history of sexuality field being outdistanced with 19th century studies When not engaging in the national mythography of colonial America and its virtuous republican forbearers one tendency of historians has been to assume early Americans had sexual activity about as much as people today even if they spoke differently—or not at all—about it Depending on ones perspective this can be a conceptually dangerous and ahistorical view or it can be one of considerable conceptual sophistication suggesting differing perceptions and practices of private and the public life and discretionary codes

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