Socialization and Sexuality CA1

- Riya Banthia- 21060322124

● Using the clipping/cutting you got as the pivot (focus), please discuss
how gender and sexuality are/can be socially constructed. How does
the body become a (blank) screen on which societies project their
ideas of gender, power, and active and passive sexuality?

Or

● How is sexuality (read heterosexuality) constructed and how is it the

key to understanding gender inequality? How are aspects of power
related to the ability to control someone’s sexuality?

Through socio-cultural practices and processes, sexuality is continuously formed and

reconstructed. These procedures and routines provide the sexual body, sexual actions, and sexual
identity meaning. As we talk about societal norm projection, we can see how Heteronormative
plays a role and how the gender of men has been the dominating sub-part of society. The idea is
that there are two distinct and opposing genders with corresponding natural functions that match
their assigned sex and that heterosexuality is a given known as heteronormative ideology.
Michael Warner coined the term "Heteronormative".

It is the most common or preferred form of sexual orientation. It assumes that there are only two
clearly defined, opposing genders, and those romantic and sexual relationships are most
appropriate between persons of different sexes. As the forced construction of a society where
everyone should be straight, people struggle with identity issues, leading them to have several
problems that are also considered taboo to even talk about. The gender assigned at birth is
referred to as appropriate or "normal" according to the social construct. That is, a cis-gender is a
fit into society; the rest are looked at as outsiders. If a person is from the queer community, they
have to face challenges to get accepted in society, which often doesn't happen, and they struggle.

When we talk about the idea of power, the first reference towards it is the gender of Men. They
are seen as the dominating power in society, they get to choose what suits them, and the
heterosexual male is the perfect role player in the humanitarian culture of heteronormative
thinking and gender biases. For example, we talk about Male construction workers; they would
not be interrogated in any way; they would just be expected to show up and do their jobs.
However, if a woman works in construction, she will be disqualified from the position because it
is socially accepted that women are weaker than men. These are the commonplace biases that
exist everywhere.

But this also refers to how Masculinity plays a part in our culture; a Man is supposed to be
masculine enough; they are supposed to be strong. When discussing Masculinity, phrases like
"Men don't cry" comes into action. Hence, Masculinity is a gender-based construct that can be
described as an identity, a social function, or a source of power and is often, but not always,
linked to men. As a reason of that, Lesbian culture appears to be more widely accepted in society
than gay men's culture. This premise, however, is not supported by discrimination, hate crimes,
or generally prejudiced beliefs. The public perceives lesbians as being discriminated against in
general.

The Queer community is not seen within the usual boundaries in society. When they try to
structure themselves, they have no idea where to start, but culture forcefully strikes to making
them believe that they are heterosexual. By that, they trigger internalized homophobia—lesbians,
Gays, Trans etc., have to face a lot of struggles to figure out themselves. Try to fit into some
boxes of culture. Have a work environment where they can be a part of and be looked at as an
ordinary individual human rather than an outsider.

Occupationally speaking to the gender bias norms, men are again seen as the worker part of the
society, and when they prioritize their work, it's not a problem, but when women try to do so, it
doesn't set right. A woman is expected to get married, have a family, take care of her children
and put her career as her last priority. Like Loretta Lynn's "One's On the Way," which describes
how a lady was alone, barefoot, and pregnant, Paula Becker sends a letter about an unwelcome
pregnancy and fears that it would ruin her career in Rich's poem. These abstracts ironically try to
state that pregnancy would burden a woman wishing to develop talents if unwanted.

Even while speaking of Active and Passive sexuality, Masculinity plays an in-depth role in the
above-said contrast; actively sexual people men are culturally dominant and very power-driven.
Passively sexual men are looked down upon and made to feel different about themselves than
actively sexual men. Similarly, it is the exact opposite for the female gender feminity is
encouraged more rather than power or anger, unlike men. Also, when we speak about the queer
community, sexual orientation and choices are considered different in society. It is hard for them
to be constructed by the organization as the people do not conventionally expect it. Still, the
community plays a role in trying to shape them forcefully.

As mentioned in the question, the body becomes a blank screen for society as soon as people are
born and are assigned their gender. Their gender and sexuality-oriented norms are constructed
according to the bits and pieces that have been developed over years of proclaimed and forced
Heteronormative and Masculinity.