Reading about the development of sexual attitudes in America

[Archaea]

is a fascinating discussion.

One or two salient points. Perhaps it is obvious to others, but to me it was not.

First, until recently, our culture did not think in terms of "sexuality" as a separate concept. People did not think of themselves in terms of hetero and homo, but only that it was something you did, not a character trait.

Second, the reforming movement for marriage here and in England was a power play, the ministers wanted additional authority. And the puritans wanted it for marriage as opposed to how may settlers used it for a committed relationship. Yet puritans were not victorian, they enjoyed and encouraged rich sexuality within marriage.