Sexual identity is a social construct formed primarily through social and cultural factors. It is an extraordinarily complex concept which impacts and is affected by other identities within the individual. It begins to form in adolsecence due to hormonal changes and exploration of one's identity. Sexual identity encompasses many aspects of the individual including sexual orientation.
Society defines individuals as gay, straight, or bi-sexual in order to categorize and make proper judgements. It helps the collective to define what is 'right' and'wrong'. Sexual orientation is based on a continuum of 'heterosexual' and 'homosexual'. Heterosexual is the default orientation. It is considered by today's American culture to be the norm or 'right'. Homosexual is the taboo or stigimitzed label one can carry. There are various justifications society offers for the meanings implied by homosexuality. The most popular reasons are religious in nature or deal with procreation. Interestingly enough, findings show more similiarities than differences between homosexual and heterosexual couples.
Categorizing individuals in order to differeniate between what is 'right' and 'wrong' is vital to society and the protection of its members. However, this concept has been taken to extremes where everyone in every aspect must fit into a box i.e white, female, straight, middle class. Within recent decades we have begun to chip away slowly at these walls which stifle the gray area in which we live. Hopefully, one day this society will see true equality or at the very least equity.
Discussion Questions:
1. Norms and taboo's help us define what is 'right' and 'wrong'. Should society do away with these definitions to advance the equality of all? And, if we do how do we deal with pedophiles,
incest, and things of that nature?
2. Many people claim to be accepting of non-traditional lifestyles. How would you feel if someone in your immediate family came out? Would it be easier to accept if one had liberal tendancies?
3. We all have built in predjuices. Compare and contrast your feelings/thoughts towards the following
- 2 men kissing/being affectionate in public
-2 women kissing/being affectionate in public
-a man and woman kissing/being affectionate in public
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1. It sure would be nice for society to do away with the norms ( the most unfortunate of all... what is normal? who defines it?) and taboos that have been created... but unfortunately i believe that would be nearly impossible. our society is so set in their beliefs and they spread them faster than any new ideas could be proposed...even if they were open to new ideas.
ReplyDelete2. It's true many people "claim" to be accepting of non traditional lifestyles... so why can gay people only be legally married in a few of our 50 states? i think people are very hypocrital in this sense. there aren't enough open minded people with liberal tendencies or the face of what goes on in America would be much different. Not even with homosexuals, but even in politics... it wouldnt have taken this long to see a black president (which he is technically half black half white so..) or even a women president. plenty of other countries function with women as their leaders.
3. In general, i oppose public displays of affection no matter who it is. Hand holding, maybe a hug is ok... but on the whole i think there is a time and place to be affectionate and public is not one of them. i wouldnt want people watching me do it... so why would i want to watch them do it.