Society Has Been Wrongly Judging The Behavior Of Others For Centuries

Have you ever done something so odd and so weird that you got hundreds of funny looks in your direction? Usually, when you get these looks, you are breaking some sort of social norm. Social norms are rules of behavior that are considered acceptable in a society during certain situations, but breaking the social norms can be highly frowned upon in the social world we live in today. Certain social norms that are universally known include driving on the right side of the road, keeping a pinky promise and living by the golden rule. Social norms can keep a community together and running smoothly if used, but many people like to push the boundaries of normality to see what happens and how others will respond. Although, I do not embarrass easily, I thought it would be interesting to see people’s reactions if for just one day I violated a social norm.

Mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, aunts, uncles, grandparents, pimps, prostitutes, straight people, gay people, lesbian people, Europeans, Asians, Indians, and Africans all have once thing in common: they are products of sexuality. Sexuality is the most common activity in the world, yet is considered taboo and “out of the norm” in modern society. Throughout history, people have been harassed, discriminated against, and shunned for their “sexuality”. One person who knows this all too well is activist and author, Angela Davis. From her experiences, Davis has analyzed the weakness of global society in order to propose intellectual theories on how to change the perspective of sexuality. This research paper will explore the discussions of

Good sex is considered to be legal and healthy, whereas bad sex is criminalized and dangerous. In contrast to MacKinnon’s view on pornography, Rubin argues that pornography is a means of sexual exploration and can be liberating. Sexual activities are a means through which sexuality can be explored. Rubin argues that anti-pornography movements exaggerate the dangers of pornography as destructive and negative. Anti-pornography movements depict pornography as harmful and degrading to women, but this in itself is harmful for it does not account for consensual and desired sexual activities. Through classifying sexual activities, such as BDSM and sex work, as good and bad, the state effectively limits sexual exploration to certain acceptable societal norms. This is further illustrated through R v. Price, in which the judge ruled that there was no evidence that BDSM videos cause harm (Lecture Slides: February 9). Conforming to cultural norms subsequently ensures that the patriarchal system of sexual value, in which MacKinnon argued is male dominated, is adhered to. Even though pornography can perpetuate sexual objectification, the oppression of sexual desire by the state limits any form of positive sexual exploration. The state and law should not penalize possibilities for positive sexual experiences because of social stigmas. The disapproval of society and the state of particular sexual

One of the most common misconceptions about BDSM practitioners is that these individuals are psychologically disturbed. Through symbolic interaction it can be understood that the general public perceives BDSM practitioners as deviant and mentally ill. BDSM practitioners are portrayed to have a lot of emotional baggage; therefore, to non practicing individuals, people who practice BDSM have major psychological issues. Due to this misinformation, the general public has created a negative image of the BDSM practitioners, and this image has lead the general public to fear BDSM. However, it is important to note that BDSM is not rooted from abuse or domestic violence, nor does participating in BDSM mean that one enjoys receiving abuse or abusing. According to Holt’s (2015), when it came to the question concerning the stereotype that BDSM practitioners had been abused in the past, several did report history of abuse during childhood and young adulthood. However, Holt (2015) noted that several participants expressed mixed emotions when asked about one’s history of abuse that ties with one’s participation in BDSM. In contrary to common belief, people who practice BDSM are as psychologically healthy as the general population. In a cross-sectional study conducted in the Netherlands, 902 individuals who practice BDSM were recruited, and compared to 434 control participants who had absolutely no experience with BDSM (as cited in Lehmiller). The participants filled

Throughout the chapters of this book Reiss has done an exceptional job of depicting the nature of pluralism and expressing how the acceptance of this sex positive perspective can alleviate our current sexual crisis. The pluralistic model is rooted in the idea of personal choice and teaching individuals to not impose their views of sexuality onto others, but to accept difference even when there is disagreement. As well as this it becomes evident that pluralism offers the notion that there is no single right way of expressing sexuality, but that there are endless amounts which depend on personal interests. In discussing the characteristics of pluralism the most important perspective of this concept, in my opinion, is the acceptance of the value

Picture a room full of whips, rope, floggers, a wooden St. Andrew's cross, riding crops, and handcuffs. To some, the thought of this room is disturbing and atrocious. To others, this could be their sanctuary and a pleasure palace. In light of a certain pop culture phenomenon, the once taboo and hidden bondage/discipline, domination/submission, and sadism/masochism (BDSM) lifestyles have been unearthed. E. L. James’s Fifty Shades of Grey series brought the unique relationship between Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey into the homes of millions of average individuals. A once secret lifestyle was now written out upon countless pages, sitting on the best seller’s table for the world to pick up and read. The

Sadomasochistic encounters were deemed to be unpredictable, dangerous, and it glorifies cruelty. A description such as this would justify the need to protect society. Lord Templeman felt that “there was no evidence to support the assertion that sadomasochist activities are essential to the happiness of the appellants,” and that the “encounters involves the indulgence of cruelty by sadists and the degradation of

BDSM stands for bondage, discipline, submission, and masochism and is a type of sexual act that is considered “deviant” in our society since these acts violate social norms we have towards how sexual acts should be performed. BDSM is often performed by a dominatrix which is described as “a woman who takes the dominant or sadistic role in sado-masochistic sexual activities” while the man is subjected to the submissive role (Oxford English Press). This project seeks to understand the views on where BDSM stems from and the health benefits and drawbacks of BDSM. Two of the articles viewed BDSM as a healthy relationship while the other two articles argued that this act was unhealthy. In addition, two of the articles viewed BDSM as conforming to societal roles while the other two viewed it as being a social deviation.

The uniform truth about sex is really a consistent and unique truth that is inscribed upon society as necessary to keep societies organized and controlled. These controlled systems acquire and control our sexual appetite too for effectiveness because our sexuality is the weakness point of our bodies through which multiple discourses or sources of knowledge can pervade our conduct and our existence (Foucault 69). The control of our sexual feelings is the best method to discipline our behaviors, and thru discourses of knowledge is how power is prompted. For instance, Foucault explains that through confessions power is applied. As humans, we tend to see such confessions as a way

Throughout history, definitions of sexuality within a culture are created and then changed time after time. During these changes, we have seen the impact and power one individual or group can have over others. In the Late Nineteenth Century into the Early Twentieth Century, we see multiple groups of people and or authorities taking control over the idea of sex and how they believe society is being impacted by sex. At this point in time, society had groups of people who believed they had the power to control how society as whole viewed and acted upon sex. Those particular groups and ideas changed many lives and the overall definition of sexuality within that culture.

To broaden one's understanding of how someone else experiences life. BDSM requires openness and willingness to participate, it is not bound by social constraints nor is it by gender roles. This radical openness challenges both internal and external expectations (Omasta, 2015, p. 88). I find that despite the negative social constraints that surround this sexual culture, that BDSM is grounded in something I feel our societal norms lack. In a 2015 report put out by the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom, they found that four fifths of those surveyed involved in BDSM were at least slightly open to their non-participating friends and family about their BDSM ways (Gemberling, "Psychological Functioning and Violence Victimization and Perpetration in BDSM").

BDSM is a taboo topic for most and often times the people who practice it are persecuted. When most people think of submissives or dominants within BDSM, they believe that the practitioners are in some way mentally disturbed. However, there is research that has found evidence which contradicts this thought. One study used scientific scales to measure how much of a specific set of traits each role appeared to contain and whether this was abnormal in comparison to normative data. The other study interviewed several practitioners from both roles on what traits they thought suited them for their own roles and which ones suited those of the opposite role. I am hoping to understand why people feel the need to submit to or dominate others and I also

Almost all human behavior has symbolic value to it, including sexual behavior. Biologically , we are driven to reproduce, but this does not dictate who, when, where, what and how by which we choose to do so;(Arany, 2013) social interaction is the driving force behind this. These characteristics are then determined by what we have learned through our culture. BDSM community might stem from mutual sexual fantasies but really its our first non-exclusionary group. When outside the bedroom most of these kinksers would blend in with the rest of society.

At a very early age, children learn about social norms to help them become proper citizens in society. Examples of some social norms that students learn are: “do not yell in the library,” “do not speak unless spoken to,” “do not talk to strangers,” and “close the door when you use the restroom.” As you grow older, these rules become unspoken because everyone knows how to act like a proper individual in society. The textbook definition of a social norm is something that is a rule of behavior that society accepts. (Bicchieri) Since everyone knows these unsaid rules of society, what would happen when someone decides not to follow these rules? What would people think and react? In this paper, I discuss my violation of the social norm “don’t talk to strangers” and discuss what I learned from this experiment.

True happiness is something every person strives for, but the ultimate question is, how do people find complete happiness in corrupt environments? There is corruption everywhere on the Earth whether people like it or not. Everyone has their own opinions on how just societies should be run, but can a perfect society ever be fulfilled? Unfortunately, not everyone has the same views, beliefs, and morals, therefore, not everyone can always be pleased with the way societies are run. However, happiness can be found no matter the situation, according to ancient philosophers Socrates and his son Plato. Even though unjust societies are unfair, people are still capable of living a happy life.