National and Racial Images of the Sexual ‘Other’ in the German-Speaking Countries (1950s–1970s)

Abstract

During the ‘long’ sexual revolution—or better, sexual liberalization and sexualization—there was a broad discussion about the national origins of sexual images as well as modes of behaviour in the German-speaking countries. Writers, journalists and scientists argued that especially American, French and Swedish images could have an important impact on the changes of their own ‘sexual climate’. They also discussed about the sexuality of ‘black people’ and the differences between their habits and the national sex culture. This article shows and compares the different national sex images of women and their reception in the ‘German’ and ‘Austrian’ popular sex discourse. Using examples of weekend and youth magazines, popular advice books and films, it asks why these national images were discussed and what their social, cultural and political context was.