sexuality and identity Flashcards
what are characteristics of a heterosexual man?
- masculine
- dominant
- physically strong
what are characteristics of a heterosexual woman?
- feminine
- submissive
- artificial (exhibitionist)
what are these assumptions based on?
hegemonic gender identities - Connel
what are characteristics of a homosexual man?
- feminine
- flamboyant
- care about appearance
- not interested in sports
what are characteristics of a homosexual woman?
- masculine
- short hair
- athletic
- beer
what are these assumptions based on?
hegemonic gender identities but reversed
what is Michael Foucault’s theory of sexuality and identity 1976?
suggests the way sexuality is expressed depends on what is happening in society at that time.
e.g. 50 years ago homosexuality was seen as a sin/illness but in ancient Greece it was normal.
what did Foucault identify about sexuality?
categories invented by humans. terms like: homosexual, heterosexual and pervert first used in 19th century. (socially constructed)
idea of sexual identity invented by psychiatrists and doctors .
what is meant by society is hetereonormative?
believing heterosexual is the norm
what is Mulvey’s view on ‘normal’ sex and identity?
women subject to ‘male gaze’, particularly mass media where they are treated as sex objects e.g. Page3 of the sun
there is a double standard of the treatment of men and women.
changing sexual identities
rise of alternative masculine identity and gay movement, sex appeal has become part of masculinity.
men’s bodies increasingly sexualised in media.
in 2000s ‘moobs’ became a part of English language, following a sun article in 2005 showing a ‘Hall of shame’ of male celebrities with ‘holiday podges’.
what does McRobbie say about changing sexual identities?
“the beauty stakes have gone up for men, and women have taken up the position of more active viewers.”
what does Goffman say about gay and lesbian identities? 1968
homosexuality carries less social stigma than it did in the past :- establishing a sexual identity is less likely to be psychologically painful.
what is the view on homosexuality in other cultures?
it is seen as deviant or evil, identity based on sexuality may remain hidden. countries such as Saudi or Uganda.
there is still a large stigma with groups such as polygamists, trans-sexual and non-religious celibates.
some key dates for homosexual identities
- 1968 legal for men to be gay over 21
- 1980 legal for Scottish men
- 2014 gay and lesbian couples allowed to marry
