Episode 29: Abstinence, Temperance, Lent: A History of Moralising

Lent in the Middle Ages forbade eating animal products, drunkenness, and having sex for the 40 days leading up until Easter. In the 19th and early 20th century, moral reformers pushed for legislature to outlaw alcohol and birth control. What do these practices have in common? The moralisation of food, drink, and sex. This week, Sonya and Margot discuss how these moral frameworks developed, and how people went from a set 40 days of self restraint for spirituality, to thinking those limitations should be in place year-round. This week, we’re looking at all these rules, how people broke them, and how ideas of bodily autonomy are still under threat. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.