-1 Kinsey Response

In the film “Kinsey”, Foucault’s concept of power can be seen in

regards to sexuality. The dominant discourse shown at the beginning of

the film was the Judeo-Christian discourse on sexuality. This discourse

provided narratives for sex which perpetuated the belief that there was

a “normal” way to have sex. For example, Dr. Kinsey asked a married

couple if the husband performed oral sex on his wife, the husband

replied that he in fact did not because such things would lead to

cancer. When Dr. Kinsey asked where the couple heard of that absurd

idea they said they learned it from a book on ideal sexual techniques

for married people. From this point on in the film, Dr. Kinsey goes on a

mission to de-center the dominant Christian discourse on sexuality.

Kinsey debunks the sexual myths propagated in his society through a

scientific approach. However, Kinsey in his attempts to de-center

creates a new scientific center. There are other drawbacks to Kinsey’s

approach including his negation of the emotional aspects of sexuality.

Kinsey’s approach also becomes problematic in regards to the politics

of drawing lines. Where does Kinsey draw the line? Does he view

pedophilia only as a sexual variation?