Sociological Theory Of Sexuality

771 Words 4 Pages

Sexuality is diverse, and deeply personal to an individual. It is defined as the feelings and attractions one individual feels to another- whether that be the same or opposite sex (Hite, 2004). Weeks (1986) argued sexuality is not given, it is a product of negotiation, struggle and human agency. People will label their identity of sexuality under the few common labels; heterosexual, gay, lesbian, bisexual and asexual. Asexual is associated with societies that demonstrate little to no interest in erotic activity (Marshall and Suggs, 1971). In contrast, in the early 1600’s women who were lesbians were tested for witchcraft (Aune, 2003). Prior to the late 1800s sexuality was governed by the church and state. Along with this, laws instituted criminalising …show more content…
Socio-biology aims to bridge the gap the gap in which had opened between traditional biological theories and social explanations. On the other hand, this theory demonstrates that there is a key mechanism linking both concepts. Dawkin (1978) believed the mechanism is the fundamental law of gene selfishness. Socio-biology psychologists believe individuals are born with an inherent sexual nature, and their sexual expression is just as important to an individual. Along with this, socio-biology psychologists proposed males and females were fundamentally different. Females are naturally maternal whereas, males have a strong need for sexual desire (Symons, 1980). Although women also have sexual desires these are reprimanded (Ellegren & Parsch, …show more content…
Freud (1953;1981) proposed the a normal sexuality is aimed to be associated as being the concept of the genitals in the act known as copulation. Copulation leads to the realisation of sexual tension and a temporary extinctions of the sexual instinct. Freud (1953; 1981) believed sexuality is perceived as being developed socially (e.g. it is determined by environmental factors such as through relationships with significant others) alongside being biologically based. In order to gain a ‘normal’ sexuality Freud (1953; 1981) believed an individual must be able to solve each

Feminist Criticism Of Psychoanalysm

Which can be attributed to the radical feminist criticism, of Freud centering woman’s development and sexual identity around that of a male. Radical feminist such as Kate Millet (1970), criticised Freud for his “attempts to rationalise the invidious relationship between the sexes, to ratify traditional roles, and to validate temperamental difference” (Ramsey, 2000, p.173). Thus, according to radical feminist, the passive nature ascribed to females, enabled the “patriarchal status quo” (Ramsey, 2000, p.174), of women centering on the male. Giving normalcy to masculinity and deviation to femininity. In addition, this separation of masculinity from femininity is also a large point of criticism towards Freudian theory.…

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Definition Of Sex, Sexuality, And Gender

As West and Zimmerman point out in their article, “Doing Gender,” there are many flaws with this strict definition of sex; “perceived to be natural and rooted in biology, producing in turn profound psychological, behavioral, and social consequences” (West and Zimmerman 1987). To suggest that sex is strictly a biological factor that can’t be changed would also assume that our society is based on the traits and characteristics we associate with male and female. It also justifies the abuse of groups of individuals who don’t fit this classification. Adhering to the gender social norm would assume behaving like a man or woman which Collins, in “Toward A New Vision”, lists the characteristics that are associated with feminine and masculine; femininity means “passive, [a] follower, emotional, weak, and physical” (Collins 2010 pg. 240).…

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Analysis Of Sigmund Freud's The Dissolution Of The Oedipus Complex

In realizing their shortcoming, women attain an inferior standing to men and assume their identity of the "other". There inevitably develops a division between the sexes as men achieve a position of power and supremacy through the mere possession of a penis. In attempt to terminate their feelings of penis-envy, women tend to focus their attention away "from the penis to a baby" (Freud 179). Through focusing on something that they can possess rather than something they lack, women are not only prepared for their later sexual role as a mother, but also truly grasp and participate in her…

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Aetiology Of Sexual Orientation

If an individual could successfully adjust their sexual orientation after being reassigned to the opposite sex at birth, then this disproves the effects of prenatal hormones previously discussed in the development of sexual orientation. It has been shown however, that this does not seem to be the case, at least for most people (Bohan, 1996). Through ‘experiments of nature’, such as sex reassignment due to cloacal exstrophy and circumcision accidents, it has been found that despite genetic males being raised as girls, the majority of individuals identified themselves as males and were sexually attracted towards females (Mustanski, Chivers & Bailey, 2002). These findings suggest that exposure to male typical prenatal hormones may influence sexual orientation towards females, and are consistent with the theory discussed earlier. However, as the results of these studies did not show 100% concordance for sexual orientation towards females, prenatal hormones cannot be the only factor influencing sexual orientation.…

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Nelly Oudshoorn's Theory Of The Social Construction Theory

Martin’s analysis in the Sex and Gender: The Egg and the Sperm: How Science has Constructed a Romance Based on Stereotypical Male-Female Roles suggests that scientific observation and description are not neutral as they are built on socially constructed norms that reinforce dominant stereotypes. As such, science is seen as one social institution that reproduces and reinforces these patriarchal values seen in society. In Martin’s article, she draws on examples that propose the role of the egg and sperm in ways that devalue females while simultaneously privileging males. Additionally, Martin shows that scientific discourse used to describe the process of reproduction uses many stereotypes. Such stereotypes include the “damsel-in-distress” and the idea that the male reproductive system is great and morally worthy while the females is bad and corrupt (CITE).…

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Gender Differences Between Sex And Gender

However, a fellow radical feminist Shulamith Firestone (1970) argued that in fact sex did contribute to women being treated differently than men. According to her women are faced with physical setbacks including, pregnancy and breastfeeding. She went as far as to say that due to the amount of time women, spend taking care of children they become “dependent on men”. Proposing some alternatives to such issues, she suggested that women use contraceptives and hope that someday babies could be carried outside the womb. The problem with feminist theories however is that, they do not agree on exactly what causes women to be treated differently.…

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Nature Vs Nurture Gender Vs Gender

Those individuals born with the appropriate “male” physiology are men, and those with the corresponding correct “female” anatomy are women. At the roots of this perspective are positivist assumptions that science and empirical evidence are what determines both sex and gender, as well as that sex and gender are universally found to be correlated and binary. This implies that any differences found between men and women are the result of essentially different “natures” that they possess, and that…

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Adrienne Rich, Compulsory Lessexuality And Lesbian Existence

The binary conception denies the voices of other sexual orientations thus creating an obligation to be heterosexual. There is an assumption that “women are ‘innately’ sexually oriented only toward men” (Rich, 362) and vice versa within the common culture. Adrienne Rich examines the societal ideals surrounding women’s dependency on men in both the social and economic spheres in her essay “Compulsory Heterosexuality and Lesbian Existence”. She argues that society negates lesbian existence to enforce a heterosexual institution that demands women’s total emotional and erotic loyalty and subservience to men. Being essential to maintain the patriarchal views of motherhood, heterosexuality enforces women’s “maternal roles” and thus ensures the power dynamics of a relationship to be in the man’s favor.…

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The Please And Danger Analysis

This view is grounded on the belief that men are inherently aggressive, lustful and unpredictable and in order to protect them (that being women), it is safer to protect oneself from dangers than open one’s self to the potential for pleasure (Vance, 5). However, Vance does postulate that the twentieth century enabled progressive changes that began to transgress outdated historical ideals, which favoured women’s autonomy through the implementation “wage labour, urbanization, contraception, and access to birth control and abortion (Vance,…

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The Double Standard Of Sex

Exploring the sexual double standard that has been implemented within our society has left a mark. Acknowledging the fact that no matter what a number of sexual partners one may have, there is a double standard. Being a male, one would be considered a “stud” for being able to attract multiple sexual partners, while a female will be deemed a “slut”. This social phenomenon of the double standard of name calling to degrade one person with harsh words due to her actions as her male counterpart receives praise. This situation will lead on a to a debate on whether society is taking action into ending this social phenomenon.…

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Sociological Theory Of Sexuality

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Feminist Criticism Of Psychoanalysm

Definition Of Sex, Sexuality, And Gender

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Aetiology Of Sexual Orientation

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Nature Vs Nurture Gender Vs Gender

Adrienne Rich, Compulsory Lessexuality And Lesbian Existence

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