The Intimate State: A Transformative Period in Modern British Psychiatric and Cultural History

Author and historian Teri Chettiar delves into the fascinating story of how state-supported mental health initiatives in post-World War II Britain led to the conflating of individual emotional wellbeing with inclusive democracy. This paradigm shift, which took place during a crucial period in modern British psychiatric and cultural history, not only elevated emotional intimacy to a politically valued and personally desired state but also had far-reaching consequences for individuals, families, and society as a whole.

Chettiar’s narrative highlights the surprising alliances between British mental health professionals and social reformers, who sought to address the Cold War crisis in political and moral values. This collaboration promoted nuclear families and monogamous marriage relationships as the bedrock of individual and political stability, leading to unprecedented political recognition for marginalized citizens on the basis of emotional health.

However, this model of emotional health also sparked resistance and backlash from communities that felt excluded from its vision of idealized intimacy, including women, queer individuals, and adolescents. These marginalized groups would go on to inspire a new generation of activists who would challenge the state agenda, demanding recognition and equal rights.

Through exhaustive archival research, The Intimate State provides a nuanced exploration of the rise of a modern psychiatric view of the importance of intimate relationships and its lasting impact on identity politics and social equality. This book is a must-read for scholars, historians, and anyone interested in the complex and multifaceted relationship between mental health, intimacy, and politics.

Book Details:

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Publication Date: December 20, 2022

Language: English

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 328

ISBN-10: 0190931205

ISBN-13: 978-0190931209