Regulating Sex (Perspectives on Gender) - Scholarly Debate on Law

In this review of Regulating Sex (Perspectives on Gender) the editorials by Elizabeth Bernstein and Laurie Schaffner present a focused anthology for readers interested in how the state shapes erotic practice, intimacy, and identity. The book is best for readers who want substantive, debate-driven analysis rather than a single theoretical manifesto: its chief value is the series of spirited dialogues that juxtapose socio-legal viewpoints and national perspectives to illuminate contested policy areas such as same-sex domestic partnerships, sexual economies, and childhood sexuality.

Key Features

• Edited anthology: Brings together multiple socio-legal scholars so readers can compare contrasting arguments on the same policy questions.
• Debate format: Uses spirited dialogues that make complex legal and ethical disputes more accessible and easier to follow than long singular essays.
• Policy focus: Examines substantive areas like same-sex domestic partnerships and sexual economies to connect theory with real-world legal dilemmas.
• Interdisciplinary perspectives: Includes contributors from diverse disciplinary and national backgrounds to broaden the scope beyond a single legal tradition.
• Attention to childhood sexuality: Addresses sensitive and consequential questions about state regulation of childhood sexuality in a sustained way.

Who It's For

This volume suits graduate students, socio-legal researchers, policy analysts, and informed readers in gender studies who want a rigorous, debate-oriented collection rather than a textbook or single-author synthesis. The book operates best as a conversation starter for seminars or policy workshops that aim to map contested positions and their implications.

Readers seeking a practical how-to guide, clear policy prescriptions, or introductory overviews of gender theory may find the format dense; similarly, casual readers expecting light summaries of law and sexuality are better served by more introductory texts.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Offers direct contrasts between scholars, helping readers identify strengths and weaknesses across positions.
• Covers a wide range of substantive legal areas so the anthology connects theory to pressing social questions.
• Inclusive of disciplinary and national diversity, which enriches comparative understanding of regulation.

Cons

• The debate format can be dense and assumes some prior familiarity with socio-legal terminology and frameworks.

Specifications

Title	Regulating Sex (Perspectives on Gender)
Editors/Authors	Elizabeth Bernstein, Laurie Schaffner
Format	Edited anthology of socio-legal dialogues
Main topics	Same-sex partnerships, sexual economies, childhood sexuality, state regulation
Approach	Interdisciplinary, comparative, debate-driven
Intended audience	Scholars, graduate students, policy analysts

Our Verdict

Regulating Sex is a valuable resource for readers who want reasoned, contrasted perspectives on how law and the state shape intimate life. Its debate-driven structure and interdisciplinary contributors make it good value for seminar use, library collections, and researchers seeking nuanced takes on policy dilemmas rather than quick answers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this book suitable for undergraduate courses?
The book can be used in advanced undergraduate seminars but works best for graduate-level courses or seminars with prior exposure to gender and legal studies.

Does it offer policy recommendations?
While it examines policy areas closely, the volume emphasizes contrasting arguments rather than a single set of prescriptions.

Are contributors from multiple countries?
Yes, the anthology includes diverse national perspectives to broaden comparative discussion.