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Sexual Power: Feminism and the Family in America
Offers an opportunity to view the history of feminism and the family from a fresh perspective
Since the early 1970s, scholars have argued, defined, and refined a wide range of interpretations of American women’s lives. Despite the richness of the recent literature, few interpretations sufficiently credit women’s family and sexual experiences for the emergence of feminism and the construction of pro-family agendas. Thus, Johnston’s approach offers an opportunity to view the history of feminism and the family from a fresh perspective.
Much of the literature on feminism has focused on women’s oppression and victimization, rather than on the power that women historically have exerted. Johnston’s interpretation of American feminism differs from previous works because she argues that the gradual growth of feminist consciousness lies not simply in oppression or feelings of victimization, but paradoxically in a growing sense of the empowerment of women as wives and mothers. She traces how reproduction, sexuality, domesticity, and motherhood have been socially constructed, and examines how feminists and anti-feminists have fought on the terrain of “family” issues.
Johnston explores critical questions concerning American women’s sexual lives. How have women’s empowering experiences in the family shaped feminist consciousness and action? How have feminists confronted family issues? How have women exerted sexual power? How was it contained within the limits of patriarchal society at times, while at other times it fueled the fires of feminist rebellion? How have gender and class issues affected domestic politics and feminism?
Since the early 1970s, scholars have argued, defined, and refined a wide range of interpretations of American women’s lives. Despite the richness of the recent literature, few interpretations sufficiently credit women’s family and sexual experiences for the emergence of feminism and the construction of pro-family agendas. Thus, Johnston’s approach offers an opportunity to view the history of feminism and the family from a fresh perspective.
Much of the literature on feminism has focused on women’s oppression and victimization, rather than on the power that women historically have exerted. Johnston’s interpretation of American feminism differs from previous works because she argues that the gradual growth of feminist consciousness lies not simply in oppression or feelings of victimization, but paradoxically in a growing sense of the empowerment of women as wives and mothers. She traces how reproduction, sexuality, domesticity, and motherhood have been socially constructed, and examines how feminists and anti-feminists have fought on the terrain of “family” issues.
Johnston explores critical questions concerning American women’s sexual lives. How have women’s empowering experiences in the family shaped feminist consciousness and action? How have feminists confronted family issues? How have women exerted sexual power? How was it contained within the limits of patriarchal society at times, while at other times it fueled the fires of feminist rebellion? How have gender and class issues affected domestic politics and feminism?
- GenresHistory
432 pages, Hardcover
First published August 30, 1992
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September 5, 2025
Carolyn Johnston is a treasure to humanity.
This book defines #feminism in an academic way that is accessible to both male and female readers. It was also nominated for a PULITZER PRIZE.
This is a finely researched AND CITED piece of American Studies incubated and meticulously revised over ten years.
Plus- Carolyn toughed it out in Boston while she was working on it.
Actual real feminists (not just the #basic women who lie with their iPhones to get men in trouble because they are insecure with themselves) should also read The Majority Finds Its Past by Gerda Lerner.
This book defines #feminism in an academic way that is accessible to both male and female readers. It was also nominated for a PULITZER PRIZE.
This is a finely researched AND CITED piece of American Studies incubated and meticulously revised over ten years.
Plus- Carolyn toughed it out in Boston while she was working on it.
Actual real feminists (not just the #basic women who lie with their iPhones to get men in trouble because they are insecure with themselves) should also read The Majority Finds Its Past by Gerda Lerner.
Displaying 1 of 1 review