The Trials of Masculinity: Policing Sexual Boundaries, 1870-1930 (Volume 1997)

by Angus McLaren

In this path-breaking history of manhood and masculinity, Angus McLaren examines how nineteenth- and twentieth-century western society created what we now take to be the traditional model of the heterosexual male.

"Inherently interesting. . . . Exhibitionism, pornography, and deception all have their place here."— Library Journal

"An appealing wealth of evidence of what trials can reveal about the boundaries of men's roles around the turn of the century."— Kirkus Reviews

"It is difficult to imagine a better guide to the most notorious scandals of our great-grandparents' day."—Graham Rosenstock, Lambda Book Report

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Gender, Politics

316 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Angus McLaren is professor emeritus of history at the University of Victoria, British Columbia, and a leading historian of sexuality.

Reviews

[Ryan Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

McLaren provides a compelling historical analysis of how masculinity and sexual behaviour were defined, regulated, and enforced during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Drawing on court cases, medical discourse, and social policy, McLaren demonstrates that masculinity was not a fixed or inherent category; instead, it was continually scrutinized, contested, and shaped by social expectations and institutional authority.

One of the book’s strengths is its attention to how masculinity was policed differently across class lines. McLaren shows that working-class men were often judged more harshly and surveilled more closely than their middle-or upper-class counterparts. There is a distinct focus on power relations, which helps explain why certain masculinities were protected while others were criminalized. The book makes clear that “proper” masculinity was less about behaviour alone and more about social position and conformity to dominant norms.

McLaren’s work tends to emphasize regulation and repression more than queer agency or self-definition. One might argue that this reflects a limitation of his perspective and sources, as the voices and lived experiences of queer individuals are filtered through historical, legal, or medical records rather than written, first-person accounts. This absence does not stem solely from personal bias but also from archival constraints; still, it’s important to note whose voices are missing and why..."
To read my full critical review, head over to my BLOG at www.ryanlawrenceauthor.ca

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating analysis of how the legal and medical system have been instrumental in the formation of normative masculinity.