The Routledge Handbook of 1989 and the Great Transformation

Lišková, K. (2026). ‘Sexuality and Science’ in The Routledge Handbook of 1989 and the Great Transformation, edited by Johnston, R., Panagiotidis, J., Baran-Szołtys, M., Calori, A., Nguyễn Vũ, T.L., Peng, S., Schacht, A., & Ther, P. (331–41.). The Routledge Handbook of 1989 and the Great Transformation (1st ed.). Routledge. (December 31, 2025) 

The chapter ‘Sexuality and Science’ examines sexology as a catalyst for societal modernization in post-WWII socialist Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Hungary. It explores how sex experts shaped intimate lives, negotiated with state actors and transnational entities, and facilitated cross-border knowledge exchange. The analysis reveals nuanced transformations beyond political milestones, highlighting progressive expert discourses preceding societal changes. While sexual attitudes evolved, gender norms often retraditionalized. By the 1970s, sexuality became a widespread topic of discussion, with growing transnational influences. The chapter traces the impact of sexological expertise on legal reforms, education, and perceptions of homosexuality and heterosexuality, offering insights into the complex interplay between sexual science and social change in East Central Europe.