Our topic was on the social and social psychological dynamics of sexuality and gender in the

Historically, societies have divided the sexes into male and female and assigned specific gender roles for each group to ‘perform’. Alternative sexual practices outside of the norm were considered unacceptable and abnormal. These ideologies of heteronormativity have been reinforced throughout various social institutions including media where heteronormative portrayals have been considered standards. Furthermore, as Rogers mentioned, “Commonly intertwined with such heterocentrism are values celebrating heterosexuality as normal and natural while condemning or at least rejecting lesbigay sexualities.” (Rogers 72). Heteronormativity is largely depicted in the media and reinforce dominant norms of society, which portray heterosexual romantic relationships

As discussed in class, there is no question that gender inequality continues to be widespread today. The gap, however, is progressively narrowing, and this is happening even though the values and attitudes of the traditionally patriarchic society still remain. For women, gender constructions that conceptualize females as being inferior to males has a negative impact in terms of

Sexuality and Gender are social constructs. They are more like fluid concepts. Both are on spectrums. Why could they be considered controversial topics, more specifically the spectrum? Well, the idea of sexuality being more than just heterosexuality has been challenged by conservative types and others alike for years. They may even deem anything other than heterosexuality as something abnormal and immoral. For some, it can be quite difficult to understand that sexuality is on a spectrum. Especially with identities like bisexuality and pansexuality, it can be difficult for some people to wrap their minds around that idea. In recent years, the idea of gender being more than just male and female has been getting more and more attention. It is no longer sex that defines people, but gender identity, expression, and presentation. They are not fully understood and sometimes not accepted by people; unfortunately some of that ignorance, and much to my surprise, come from people within the LGBTQ+ community. A lack of understanding about the spectrums of sexuality and gender leads to a lot of confusion, hate, and ignorance.

Heteronormativity is the idea that heterosexuality and male and female gender binaries are the default. It has an emphasis on strict gender roles that feed into the idea that males are supposed to be strong protectors, sole providers, and reject anything deemed “feminine”. These ideas are further advanced by the notion of courtly love, which see the males as a dotting servant to women, the objects of their affection, but in reality is a tool of narcissism.

It is ironic that the young girl is taught how to deal with both lovers and bullies, yet most young men are never taught to not be bullies to begin with. Girls are taught to never put their drinks down at parties in fear of being date-rape drugged but boys are never taught not to put drugs in someone else 's drink. After reading Kincaid’s short story, though it never states it directly, it is shocking to see the different things that girls and boys are taught at a young age. A father would never sit down his son and tell him not to act like a floozy. A father would never dictate how his son is suppose to walk by saying “Sundays try to walk like a lady and not like the slut you are so bent on becoming;”(Kincaid 430 ). Men are never taught to not be promiscuous but instead they are often congratulated for their promiscuity, while it is the complete opposite for women of all ages.

Giving up the idea of boy will be boys, especially in the case of violence is key to resolving some of the issues. That is, when two boys are hitting each other this is a violent act, and they should be taught that it is not the answer. As well, associating boys with words such as power, dominance, aggression and guns, should be changed because it will have boys feel as though they have to be a certain way to be a real man and that includes aggressive behaviours. Another solution to ending violence in masculinity would be to stop comparing it to femininity. As the narrator in Tough Guise 2 reiterated, if a man gives the appearance of being kind and gentle he should not be referred to as a ‘pussy’ or a ‘fag’; this type of behaviour not only instills homophobia but also proves more than anything that kindness is should be seen as a womanly

The inferiority of women refers to society’s view that women are subordinate to men, and are supposed to serve men after marriage, become housewives, and bear babies. This perception of women in today’s society has largely declined, due to the constant call for gender equality. While there still exist the suppression and discrimination of women, the proponents of which are heavily condemned.

Sexuality and gender for many seem to go hand and hand. With the breakdown of gender being defined by our biological sex or legally documented gender identity and sexual orientation relating to the gender or genders that we favor, it is understandable that this could happen. Our society often allows for sexuality to be gendered, through things like stigma, stereotypes, expectations, and limitations. Sexuality is gendered for men and women, but seems to provide more noticeable limitations for women regardless of sexual orientation. Men seem to have their sexuality questioned and experience elements of stigma and expectations more often.

Women are often subject to gender roles throughout the world, even in countries that are aggressively striving for gender equality. These misogynistic views have been embedded in cultural values for centuries now, with the majority of societies worldwide being dominated by a patriarchal set of ideals.

I had a very difficult time coming up with how I wanted to structure this essay. I eventually decided to take some liberty and organize it both categorically and chronologically. Let me explain. For me, sex (in regards to pleasure and physical actions) has always been a separate topic from sexuality (in regards to attraction or emotional relationships). I’ve had many different experiences with both, but, for my story, I don’t think they directly affect the other. As a demisexual, this separation makes a lot of sense to me. Therefore, I decided to structure my paper discussing my chronological relationship to pleasure and physical actions first and then cover my relationship with gender and sexuality and my own preferences later, but also chronologically.

Discuss what you think the sources tell us about beauty’s place in the history of gender and sexuality. Consider as well the historical evidence you have about efforts to enhance beauty through adornment or other alterations of appearance.

When Alex was born, his parents were delighted to add another boy to their family. As their baby boy began to grow and develop, they noticed that Alex began to express himself in a manner that they viewed as more feminine than masculine. He gravitated toward dolls and other toys that the culture often associates with girls. Concerned with the social ramifications associated with their child trying to be transgendered, they made the decision to not let Alex live as a girl. They came to this decision after foreseeing the criticism he would endure from his peers and other members of society. For example, children in the American culture who do not act according to the culture’s gender role may undergo name-calling. Children in Hispanic cultures may actually suffer physical violence if their conduct does not match the culture’s gender roles. Thus, when it comes to gender social influences have more control over a person choice of identity. Parents and culture are two of the most influential environmental factors shaping gender and sexual identity, children learn at young age that there are distinct expectations for boys and girls. As a person grow, they learn how to behave from those around them.

As a process, gender creates the social differences that define “women” and “men”. In social interaction throughout their lives, individuals learn what is expected, see what is expected, act and react in expected ways, and thus simultaneously construct and maintain the gender order: “The very injunction to be given gender takes place through discursive routes: to be a good mother, to be a heterosexually desirable object, to be a fit worker, in sum, to signify a multiplicity of guarantees in response to a variety of different demands all at once” (Butler, 1990: 45).

Although all males and females are educated and pushed to be masculine and feminine, these features don´t have the same value. Gender, as a “socially constructed” element is unequal, and it is based on the idea of male dominance, where women are, therefore, subordinates. Thus, rights and opportunities are unequal distributed depending on the gender (Risman, Lorber and Holden Sherwood, 2012). This gender inequality not only represents the man domination over the woman, but a set of social processes by which the expression of masculinities dominates on the expression of feminities, no matter who express them (Carmichael - Aitchison, 2007).

Throughout the history of the world, the position, rights and treatment of women has always been one of the ‘’unimportant’’ issues and has been not given the attention needed by others all over the world. Even though there has been progress made today, many women still feel oppressed even in the most developed countries. This oppression derives from the lack of education, religious affiliation and the typical stereotypes, which portray men as the ones in charge and women as the weak part of the chain of our societies.