Sedlighet rimmar icke med solidaritet : Den syndikalistiska omkodningen av sedlighet under mellankrigstidens sexualitetsdebatt

Sammanfattning: This essay seeks to explore how the word "Sedlighet" ("morality”) was purposefully redefined by Swedish syndicalists during 1922–1938. Examining how the term was disparaged, specifically, within the context of the so-called "sexual question" of the time. During this time period, Swedish syndicalists argued for a modernized, science-based sexual education – and by extension sexuality. This modernized sexuality was to be built upon the use of birth control and appeal to a sense of logic and common sense. This stood in opposition to what the syndicalists considered to be outdated sexual morality based off of hypocritical Christian ideology, which urged abstinence and stifled natural urges. This was portrayed as exclusively benefiting the sexually deviant upper class, as they used the concept of "morality" to oppress the working class and exploit them for capitalistic gains. By tying sexuality to class, combining psychoanalysis and socialism, Swedish syndicalists could claim that ”morality” was oppressive as well as the cause of sexual deviancy. Several arguments also highlighted the suffering of working class women, who the syndicalists claimed were forced to go against their nature by having abortions out of necessity, or by exhausting their bodies through frequent childbirths. At the same time syndicalists frequently used gendered language and misogynist stereotypes to mock and delegitimize those who advocated for ”morality.” Through organizations meant to spread sexual education, such as RFSU – which was supported mostly by syndicalists at the time of its founding – it is likely that this recoding of the commonly used word caught on in wider circles of society and played a key role in the construction of a modernized sexuality.