Heterosexuality and its discontent

Question 1

why should we be critical when studying heterosexuality?

Answer 1

heterosexuality studies - putting what we consider normal and abnormal under a microscope
- studying heterosexism = critical bc viewed as normal

Question 2

what does it mean by heterosexuality is a “back formation” ?

Answer 2

back formation - a word from from an already existing word from which it is a derivative
- derived from homosexual
- before hetero and homosexuality were terms we didn’t think of they as those things, but they were still practiced even if they didn’t have that label
- 1st appearance of heterosexual - germany
- it originated as a medical category to define the OPPOSITE of homosexuality in sexology

Question 3

what is critical heterosexual studies

Answer 3

new critical approach, it examines assumptions and meanings that are associated with heterosexuality and how these meanings are naturalized in our everyday life

Question 4

what is the imaginary phase of the heterosexual imaginary?

Answer 4

• aka the “mirror stage” - bc dont experience self as a coherent self
• ex. view when infant contact with own image, way of seeing self as whole before language
• relate the heterosexuality through an imaginary image

Question 5

the heterosexual imaginary

Answer 5

• the contact that infant has with own image and its connection with its primary caregiver
• this view shows us a view of heterosexuality as “just the way it is”
• the social practices - weddings, courtship - as romantic ideals
• masks the contradictions, complexity, and discontent with lived realities of heterosexuality
• masks the regulation of sexuality through legal, economic, and social maintenance of hetero.

Question 6

what does the author say about heterosexual imaginary?

Answer 6

there are regulations that hold us back, we need this imaginary to help us escape

Question 7

what is heteronormativity?

Answer 7

• idea that heterosexuality makes up what is normal and what is generally expected
• it is the standard for our legitimate and expected social and sexual relations
• it is prominent when these heterosexual relations are assumed to be the default - natural and normal
• ex. concept of coming out of the closet, only come out bc it is different form the norm
• remember the heterosexual questionnaire

Question 8

examples of how weddings are heteronormative

Answer 8

• it is a naturalizing ritual
• wedding industry - makes weddings the most important events of one’s lives - monogamy, heterosexuality,
• gender reveal parties, the nuclear family - housewife and breadwinner husband

Question 9

what is heterosexuality and its discontent?

Answer 9

• bisexuality - it is not just one thing
• “heteroflexibility” - heterosexual but flexible
• bromance - sublimation of homophobia