How Does Heterosexuality Change Over Time

Heterosexuality Over Time Throughout the history of humans, and their sexuality, there has progressively been advances in understanding the now various sexual identities, albeit these advances have occurred fairly recently in the chronology of sexual history. I personally identify myself as a heterosexual male, a man who is sexually attracted to females. Although the usage of the term heterosexuality occurs in the moderately recent 19th century as mentioned in The Invention Of The Heterosexual, it has been considered the dominant way of life, and the norm since the beginning of human sexuality. Though since the acceptance of this term, in the early 20th century and present day, heterosexuality, and how it is viewed has greatly changed. The increased openness, and tolerance of society has greatly contributed to the development of the heterosexual identity. …show more content…
Originally, heterosexuality was correlated with pervasive, excessive interest in the opposite sex. It wasn’t until 1934, as discussed in The Invention of Heterosexuality, that the term heterosexuality got its definition of “manifestation of sexual passion for one of the opposite sex; normal sexuality”. From this time up until the 1990s and present day, heterosexuality was considered the normal and proper way for one to live life, sexually. In the early and mid 20th century, the confines of being a heterosexual male were very clearly defined. A man was attracted to women, and only women, there were no voluntary homosexual episodes, experiences, or experimentation that were socially permitted. Flexibility in this was seemingly non existent socially. Additionally it was reinforced, with the aid of religion, namely Christianity, that heterosexuality was the right and proper way for men as well as women to live their lives. This definitely different than present day constructs and perception of