Approach to the history of sexuality in the Western world from Modernity

Abstract

The objective of this article is to make a historical analysis of the most representative theoretical and social aspects of sexuality in the western world, from Modernity which serves as a basis to understand, in a general way, the current processes and dynamics, around this issue and its importance and social, political, public health and economic impact and for the exercise of citizenship. This document was constructed as part of the research “Analysis of the academic production on social representations of sexuality in Colombia 2020- 2022”, from a documentary review that includes books, research articles from indexed journals, and press releases. Its analysis is carried out based on the different disciplines, fields of knowledge and thematic orientations from which these texts were written, and from the theoretical and methodological approaches proposed by the authors. The main results are framed in the theoretical evolution of the concept of sexuality and in the social, political and health changes that have taken place since Modernity and that have resulted, mainly in the twentieth century, in diverse movements that seek the reaffirmation of rights, the recognition of the role of women in social development, the inclusion of sexually diverse populations as active agents and gender identities as the basis for equality.