Heterosexuality And Homosexuality

Heterosexism, according to Warren J. Blumenfeld, is the system of advantages given to heterosexuals based on the social construct of gender roles and heterosexual norms, while marginalizing and oppressing homosexuals and others who do not fit into the heterosexual culture (373). The enforcement of this system is known as heteronormality. This is seen in the binary system, which is a social construct that divides people into different strictly bordered categories organized by “social roles, values, stereotypes, and behavioral and attitudinal imperatives, expressions, and expectations” (Blumenfeld 373). Those who stick to the binary system, maintain power and privilege. People who may live in the binary system, but also intentionally

In The Social Construction of Heterosexuality Pepper Schwartz asserts that heterosexuality is a social construct, we as a society understand it as an identity rather than a set of natural preferences. She makes this argument through the analysis of gender performance, the expectation for applause for upholding heteronormative ideals, as well as the idea of only being aroused by the opposite sex.

In Pepper Schwartz article titled “ The Social Construction of Heterosexuality”, Schwartz writes about what she believe Americans define as Heterosexuality. Schwartz writes about the so-called body standard that movies and television show set for us about how we should look and dress. Schwartz writes about what she believes straight men have to look like in order to define their masculinity. Schwartz’s main argument is about all the gender stereotypes we have in our society. Stereotypes like in order to be straight or even gay you have to look, dress, and talk a certain way. Schwartz is trying to say that you do not have to meet the so-called standards we have set for sexuality. Schwartz does make some valid

The word “gay” has gone through drastic changes. Traditionally, it was a positive term that meant to be “happily excited” or “jolly” (Merriam Webster, “Gay”). It was used regularly to express one’s feelings about life. Today, it has a far different meaning. Now people use the word gay to label homosexuals, those with feminine qualities, or those who do something thought to be outside of the norm for their gender. “Being gay” went from expressing someone’s happiness to describing his sexual preference. The definition of gay has changed so much that its original meaning has become archaic and lost to the times.

There is an omnipotent and elusory force that festers and conspires just beneath the placid surface of our society—protected and intact. It is a force that lingers—seemingly undetected—in every relation, in every interaction and in every corner of society that it can fill. This force is manipulative, coercive, powerful—and it structures nearly every aspect of social life. What is this force, you may ask? Well, it is popularly referred to as Heterosexuality. Indeed, heterosexuality, as an institution, produces and wields tremendous power over the lives and decisions of social actors. It cuts through every social facet, safeguards and constructs hierarchies and orders along lines of gender, sexuality, race, and class. Incontrovertibly, heterosexuality is a fundamental organizing principle of our society—maintained through cultural productions, discursive practices, and heterosexual norms. Moreover, the dominance of heterosexuality is nourished and privileged through the heterosexual imaginary – “a way of thinking that conceals the operation of heterosexuality in structuring gender (across race, class and sexuality) and closes off any critical analysis of heterosexuality as an organizing institution” (Ingraham, 2002, p. 76). Relying on illusory and romanticized abstractions of heterosexuality, the heterosexual imaginary obfuscates the institutionalized nature of this privileged status. This obfuscation

It is a fair assumption to say that America is approaching a new age in understanding and accepting the many variations of human sexual orientation. More same-sex couples have fostered children than ever before in our nation 's history. Institutions such as military and professional sports have (slowly but surely) began to accept openly gay members. Most importantly, a recent amendment to the Marriage Act of 1961 now defines marriage as a union of two people; an amendment which removed the prohibition of same-sex marriages. These landmarks in the progression of social awareness surrounding sexual orientation are derivative of scientific findings disputing the "choice" theory. As outlined in Simon LeVay 's book, Gay, Straight, and the Reason Why, the result of someone 's sexual orientation "emerges from the prenatal sexual differentiation of the brain" (LeVay 2011: 271) What LeVay means in this context is, "whether a person ends up gay or straight depends in large part on how this process of biological differentiation goes forward, with the lead actors being genes, sex hormones, and the brain systems" (LeVay 2011: 271). Much research, proven and theoretical, has been done on the concept of what makes people gay. Many factors surrounding socialization in regards to sexual orientation have undergone extensive scientific scrutiny (LeVay 2011: 77). Although there is evidence that suggests social and environmental elements play a role in sexual orientation, it is

While most homosexuals have horror stories to tell about their childhood and early teen years about growing up in a straight world, others grew up as average all American children. In Andrew Sullivan’s book “Virtually Normal: An Argument about Homosexuality” (Sullivan), he describes to us the feelings he had growing up homosexual in England, and his different experiences and perspectives on homosexuality. I can say that I agree with most of his experiences about how he felt as a young homosexual. Growing up homosexual, I was often ridiculed for the choices I made in a very gender assigned world, I wanted to participate in gymnastics, while most other boys my age wanted to play in dirt or play football with other neighborhood boys.

On the playground, I met who will soon to be my first best friend, shortly after I had my first kiss. Kissing a girl, I felt so scared of what it meant that I knew I had to make myself the way I believed was right. I thought the best way was denying and eliminating all feelings that I had of the opposite sex because I never saw two of the same sex could be together. Little did I know my mom is gay but, she was too afraid to talk about it at the time so, it led me to struggle with my sexuality growing up. I developed strong feelings for my best friend and I believed that I just loved her because she was my best friend. I quickly learned that I loved her in a stronger way and still not knowing how to deal with my feelings, I started to hate my

Heterosexism is a term used to describe people who discriminate against gays and lesbians. Throughout history, an intimate relationship between members of the opposite sex was considered the norm, and breaking this norm would make a person deviant. From birth, children are taught certain characteristics on how boys and girls are suppose to behave. Children learn these things from their parents, the schools they attend, and society that they live in. The characteristics that they learn shapes them into what they become when they’re adults. According to Barrie Thorne, “the sociological significance of children’s play is that boys and girls are helping to socialize one another into primary adult gender roles, girls being more concerned with

Dad suggested that I write you instead of talking to you over the phone, so I’m somewhat begrudgingly listening to him. As I’ve learned, there really isn’t a good place to start, so here it goes. I’m gay. There it is, I said it. I am romantically and sexually attracted to men instead of women. Around 13, I thought it was just a phase that I would grow out of, and I didn’t really process it much, but as time went on it just became more and more apparent that I was NOT going to “just grow out of it”. I started hating myself more and more, thinking that if I had more willpower, more faith, if I prayed harder that I could change. I thought I was broken, and my health reflected this. I started throwing up regularly, especially when I was stressed.

Queer theory looks at the kinds of social structures and social constructs which define our ideas about sexuality as an act and sexuality as identity. As an academic field, queer theory examines how notions of hetero/homosexuality have historically being defined and how various cultures as well as periods have enforced ideas about what kinds of sexuality are normal and immoral.

Other studies conducted suggest that homosexuality might be base on difference in the brain structure of homosexual and heterosexual males. In 1991, Simon LeVay, a researcher at salks institute for biological studies in San Diego, found that an area of the brain called INAH-3 was larger in heterosexual men as in homosexual men [6]. INAH-3 is a small cell cluster in the hypothalamus that is involve regulating male sex behavior. LeVay’s finding provided clues that prove that sexual attraction to some extent might be biological. Other studies following levay’s study suggest that homosexuality might be base on genetic. It is believe that “gay gene” is passed from mother tho son.

Science is uncovered origins a lot of things over the centuries and the human created much great inventions and even explored the surface of the moon; however, one question still on everyone’s mind and science may have solved one of greatest mysteries yet which is: how did homosexuality and heterosexuality evolve? Many psychologist, biologist and scientist may agree with sexual orientation is output from a combination of biological, hormonal, environmental and emotional factors and those many factors that influence to a development of human sexual orientation. However, being homosexual or bisexual is not mentally ill or abnormal in certain ways, although sexual minority is part of social problems that makes output from misinformation or prejudicial attitude. Diversity in sexual orientation has been a subject that has been seen in different perspectives by the different people (LeVay, 2010). Today there are the homosexuals, heterosexuals and bisexuals orientated people are forming a part of our society. This paper conduct an overall study of important and strong factors and provides accurate information and explanation for those who want to better understand development of sexual orientation.

Is homosexuality genetic? This a common question asked among society today. While some people argue that homosexuality is genetic, some people also believe that it is nature and not nurture. Genetics is the study of genes, heredity, and genetic variation in living organisms. Genetic processes work in combination with an organism 's environment and experiences to influence development and behavior, often referred to as nature vs nurture. Trait inheritance of genes is still a primary principle of genetics in the 21st century. Modern genetics has expanded beyond inheritance to studying the function and behavior of genes. I believe that homosexuality is nurture and not nature. I do not believe that people are born homosexual but that they are nurtured to be homosexual. I believe that their environment plays a significant role in their decision to be homosexual.

even though sexuality can be considered universal, the sexual behaviors affiliated with it offer different attitudes in various communities. Sexuality is aligned to sexual attraction where individuals can identify themselves with a broad range of sexuality that is bisexual, gay or being lesbian. Sexuality can change over time in a person depending on the circumstances surrounding him or her. It may be affected by the social circle and emotional imbalances that may occur in an individual. Interestingly there exists sexual inequality among many societies in the world. As observed, many societies encourage men to have multiple sex partners but forbid it in women. Moreover, pre-marital sex is promoted in men, but women are flaunted if they participate in pre-marital sex. Across the globe, Western Europe has embraced certain norms in sexuality such as homosexuality whereas African society embraces a negative attitude towards the same.