History of Sexuality in the U.S.

Ready to find library books on the shelf? Our books are arranged in Library of Congress call number order. Below are some helpful links and just ask a librarian for help if needed. 

You can start with a keyword search in the catalog, but be sure to look at the subject headings for books and videos that are relevant to your topic. Then search those headings.  This is a list of potentially useful headings:

• Sex customs -- United States -- History
• Sex instruction -- United States -- History
• Sex role -- United States -- History Sexology -- United States
• Sexual ethics -- United States -- History

Some narrower terms include (add United States -- History to limit results):

• Abortion
• Birth control
• Childbirth
• Contraception
• Free love
• Homosexuality
• Interracial marriage
• Midwifery
• Midwives
• Miscegenation
• Prostitution
• Reproductive rights

Some more general terms may also yield useful sources:

• [Classes of persons] -- Sexual behavior
• Femininity
• Feminism
• Girls
• Masculinity
• Teenage girls
• United States -- Social life and customs -- [time period]
• Women -- Legal status-- United States