Socialisation into sexuality

Question 1

Weeks

Who is sexual identity important to and why? (what does it make a statement about)

Answer 1

Sexual identity is a significant part of the identities of those who are not heterosexual as by stating ‘I am gay’ or ‘I am bisexual’ makes a statement about belonging and their relationship to dominant sexual codes.

Question 2

Plummer
Views homosexuality as?
what term is discussed? What does this men? ( males who have accepted the label… form a…)
What do stereotypical homosexual characteristics become?
which agent of socialisation can support the acceptance of a homosexual identity?

Answer 2

Views homosexuality as a process and discusses the ‘homosexual career’
Males who have accepted the label of being ‘homosexual’ form a subculture in which stereotypical homosexual characteristics become the norm
Peers can support the acceptance of a homosexual identity

Question 3

McCornmack

Answer 3

Reasons for homophobia in Britain in the 1980s
-Rise of the conservative party
-‘moral majority’
backlash from the Aids Crisis

In their research in 6th forms- homophobic attitudes did not remain: heterosexual male students explicitly support gay rights as they believe in the ‘Equalty for gays’ and that ‘Gay people should be equal in society’

Question 4

Mac an Ghail
What did boys exaggerate due to the stigma around homosexuality? (2)
What did heterosexual boys engage in?
What were boys encouraged to show and not show?
What behaviours were feminised and condemned?

Answer 4

Due to the stigma around homosexuality boys exaggerated their homophobic and ultra masculine views and even got into fights to prove their masculinity
Heterosexual boys were engaged with the ‘three F’s’: football, fighting and xxx
Encouraged to show anger not emotion= emotionally unexpressive
Expressions of fear, intimidation or love were all feminised and condemned.

Question 5

McIntosh
What attachments are there to the role of a homosexual male in western cultures?(2)
characteristics?
When are these expectations fulfilled?
Therefore, what does a label create?

Answer 5

In Western cultures there are certain expectations or cultural characteristics for the role of a homosexual male.
Effeminate mannerisms
higher voice
attention to appearance
These expectations are fulfilled once a male accepts the label or identity of ‘homosexual’
label creates behaviour

Question 6

Rich
perspective?
In a ... society womens ... is ... through ...
Term?
What has lesbian identity become? why?

Answer 6

Feminist perspective
In a patriarchal society, women’s sexuality is oppressed by men through institutions such as marriage, through sexual violence, rape and sexual objectification.
Compulsory heterosexuality- ensure availability to men
lesbian identity has been written out of existence as it is a threat to male dominance and power over women