Girlhood, sexuality and identity in England, 1950-1980
This thesis examines the heterosexual experiences of middle-class girls growing up in England between 1950 and 1980. Drawing primarily upon oral histories and Mass Observation testimonies, it explores the ways in which sexual discourses and practices shaped the adolescences lives of the post-war generation. Putting Laura Doanâs notion of âqueerness-as-methodâ into practice, the thesis uses the example of the youth sexual practice in the mid-twentieth century to reinforce claims that heterosexuality is unstable and dynamic. Paying particular attention to the logistics of sexual practice, the thesis makes two central arguments regarding youth sexuality at this time. Firstly, it argues that young womenâs sexual lives were shaped by girlsâ place in the life-cycle. Girlsâ status as dependents and their lack of private space materially affected when and where they could engage in sexual activity. More than this, however, girls understood their adolescence as a period in which they were supposed to transition towards sexual maturity. Young women thus organised their sexual practice around the notion that they were âbecoming sexualâ. Secondly, this research demonstrates that teenage sexuality in the
Charnock, Hannah Louise
sex ; gender ; youth ; post-war Britain
Girlhood, sexuality and identity in England, 1950-1980. This thesis examines the heterosexual experiences of middle-class girls growing up in England between 1950 and 1980. Drawing primarily upon oral histories and Mass Observation testimonies, it explores the ways in which sexual discourses and practices shaped the adolescences lives of the post-war generation. Putting Laura Doanâs notion of âqueerness-as-methodâ into practice, the thesis uses the example of the youth sexual practice in the mid-twentieth century to reinforce claims that heterosexuality is unstable and dynamic. Paying particular attention to the logistics of sexual practice, the thesis makes two central arguments regarding youth sexuality at this time. Firstly, it argues that young womenâs sexual lives were shaped by girlsâ place in the life-cycle. Girlsâ status as dependents and their lack of private space materially affected when and where they could engage in sexual activity. More than this, however, girls understood their adolescence as a period in which they were supposed to transition towards sexual maturity. Young women thus organised their sexual practice around the notion that they were âbecoming sexualâ. Secondly, this research demonstrates that teenage sexuality in the
sexuality identity england examines heterosexual experience middle_class girl grow england drawing primarily upon oral_history mass_observation testimony explore_way sexual discourse_practice shape adolescence live post_war generation putting notion method practice use example youth sexual practice reinforce claim unstable dynamic particular_attention logistics sexual practice make central_argument regard youth sexuality time firstly_argue young_woman sexual life shape girls place life_cycle girls status dependent lack private space materially affect could engage sexual activity however girl understand adolescence period suppose transition towards sexual maturity young_woman thus organise sexual practice around notion become sexual secondly demonstrate sexuality