Why was Havelock Ellis considered the "earliest important modern sexual theorist and scholar"? Summarize his contributions.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

One of Havelock Ellis's most important contributions was pointing out the relativity of sexual values. In the nineteenth century, Americans and Europeans alike believed that their society's dominant sexual beliefs were the only morally and naturally correct standards. But Ellis demonstrated not only that Western sexual standards were hardly the only moral standards but also that they were not necessarily rooted in nature. In doing so, he was among the first researchers to appeal to studies in animal behavior, anthropology, and history. His contributions include the following:

(1) Normalization of masturbation and other forms of autoeroticism

(2) Acceptance of female sexuality as normal and perhaps distinct from that of men (erogenous zones)

(3) A redefinition of normal behavior; Ellis saw abnormal behavior as an exaggeration of normal behavior

(4) A reevaluation of homosexuality as both congenital and harmless, and not immoral or criminal