To begin, the topic presented in week five reflected the taken for granted notion of sexual subjectivities. Entering this course, I was not aware of the significant influence culture and gendered roles had on sexual subjectivities. Through the lecture (Dundon, 2015), tutorial and readings of this week, (Lorway, 2010; Blackwood, 2010; Schwartz, 2007) I came to understand how sexual subjectivities are considered to be an individuals’ sense of self as a sexual being, which links to their sexual domains of identity and relationships. Specifically, from the reading by Lorway (2010), I came to realise how self-understandings of homosexuality in Nambian culture can be a product of gender inequality, trauma and/or identity politics. For example, the
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I found this socially acceptable practice of attempting to change ones’ sexual orientation forcefully, to be quite shocking. Just because these women did not fit into what was socially prescribed, or as Lorway (2010, p. 237) referred to as a ‘real African woman,’ these social conventions condone the horrendous violation of women and their understanding of selfhood. Reflecting on this, these instances reminded me of Western conversion therapy practices mentioned in a previous Psychology course. What I understand from these conversion therapies is that they aim to change ones’ sexual orientation from homosexual to heterosexual. These preventative measures prescribed in both Nambian culture and Western cultures which practice conversion therapies, are then reflective of the social construction of heterosexuality. From this, I am able to identify how powerful social constructions are in shaping ones’ choices and capacities to live and identify as homosexual, or of sexualities other than heterosexuality. As these social constructs are able to constitute what is normal and abnormal, it emphasises its strong influence on individual sexual …show more content…
My research into sexual selves portrayed in online interactions, was fascinating, especially when considering the importance of physical attributes. Judging an individual from their profile picture alone is prominent not only in dating websites like EHarmony and Plenty of Fish, but is especially conspicuous on the mobile dating application Tinder. I came to understand that Tinder gives users the option of liking or disliking a potential match based solely on their profile picture. To me, this shows the outstanding significance of ones’ physical characteristics portrayed in online profiles and how can reflect ones’ performance. Goffman’s presentation of the self, as a performer and particular desirable character, was mentioned in the lecture (Dundon, 2015), as well as previous Anthropology courses. As illustrated in Figure 1 and 2, I found these profile pictures from EHarmony to be interpretive of giving a performance of a desirable, sexualised identity through the showing of cleavage and muscular arms, respectively. From these examples, I am now able to interpret these as being a reflection and expression of their sexual self. Again, from reading Fair et al.’s article (2009), I realised the importance of online environments and how they facilitate a more comfortable disclosure of themselves more
I found this socially acceptable practice of attempting to change ones’ sexual orientation forcefully, to be quite shocking. Just because these women did not fit into what was socially prescribed, or as Lorway (2010, p. 237) referred to as a ‘real African woman,’ these social conventions condone the horrendous violation of women and their understanding of selfhood. Reflecting on this, these instances reminded me of Western conversion therapy practices mentioned in a previous Psychology course. What I understand from these conversion therapies is that they aim to change ones’ sexual orientation from homosexual to heterosexual. These preventative measures prescribed in both Nambian culture and Western cultures which practice conversion therapies, are then reflective of the social construction of heterosexuality. From this, I am able to identify how powerful social constructions are in shaping ones’ choices and capacities to live and identify as homosexual, or of sexualities other than heterosexuality. As these social constructs are able to constitute what is normal and abnormal, it emphasises its strong influence on individual sexual …show more content…
My research into sexual selves portrayed in online interactions, was fascinating, especially when considering the importance of physical attributes. Judging an individual from their profile picture alone is prominent not only in dating websites like EHarmony and Plenty of Fish, but is especially conspicuous on the mobile dating application Tinder. I came to understand that Tinder gives users the option of liking or disliking a potential match based solely on their profile picture. To me, this shows the outstanding significance of ones’ physical characteristics portrayed in online profiles and how can reflect ones’ performance. Goffman’s presentation of the self, as a performer and particular desirable character, was mentioned in the lecture (Dundon, 2015), as well as previous Anthropology courses. As illustrated in Figure 1 and 2, I found these profile pictures from EHarmony to be interpretive of giving a performance of a desirable, sexualised identity through the showing of cleavage and muscular arms, respectively. From these examples, I am now able to interpret these as being a reflection and expression of their sexual self. Again, from reading Fair et al.’s article (2009), I realised the importance of online environments and how they facilitate a more comfortable disclosure of themselves more