early scholars, such as Freud, and more contemporary experts, including Weekes, the study of sexuality has become a topic with a very active field of experts. Through the differences that separate Weekes and Freud common streams of thought can be seen. After a look at the history of the study of sexuality, Weekes turns to a more contemporary approach for understanding sexuality spearheaded by Michel Foucault. This approach focuses on sexuality through its history (16). Through the history of sexuality Weekes suggests that sexuality is socially constructed. Weekes defines socially constructed studies of sexuality by saying that “it is concerned with the historical and social organization of the erotic” (17). This juxtaposes a more traditional
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In understanding sexuality in terms of how it is shaped by its surroundings, homosexuality becomes one of the important aspects of sexuality that Weekes uses to prove his case that sexuality is a social construct. One of the most obvious aspects of society that shapes the acceptance of certain types of sexuality is religion. Two examples of this are Islam and Christianity. In Islam radical sexuality was accepted in almost every aspect except for homosexuality (19). This is a change from the sanctified relationships between two males that were treated almost exactly like marriages found in early Christian Europe (20). In the present Catholic environment sex is only seen as acceptable for procreation (21). Beyond religion Weekes also cites subcultures that arise in various time periods as an opposition to popular cultures of homophobia (27). In these subcultures homosexuality transforms from a sexuality that is frowned up into one which is accepted and even celebrated. Weekes uses homosexuality as an example of why sexuality is socially constructed and in doing this, follows what Freud started in his essay on …show more content…
As we saw above, Freud argued against the suggestion that inversion is degenerative for reasons including the fact that it is viewed differently in other cultures (6). Weekes suggests the same effect in discussing the early Europe relationships between men (20). While Freud does examine other cultures and begins with what we can see to be an early idea of social construction the intent of his example are slightly different and despite proving how society changes acceptance of inversion it is not nearly as fleshed out as Weekes’ thought. Weekes expands this thought and provides a greater explanation that, while more clearly in favor of social constructive approach, is inspired by what Freud
In understanding sexuality in terms of how it is shaped by its surroundings, homosexuality becomes one of the important aspects of sexuality that Weekes uses to prove his case that sexuality is a social construct. One of the most obvious aspects of society that shapes the acceptance of certain types of sexuality is religion. Two examples of this are Islam and Christianity. In Islam radical sexuality was accepted in almost every aspect except for homosexuality (19). This is a change from the sanctified relationships between two males that were treated almost exactly like marriages found in early Christian Europe (20). In the present Catholic environment sex is only seen as acceptable for procreation (21). Beyond religion Weekes also cites subcultures that arise in various time periods as an opposition to popular cultures of homophobia (27). In these subcultures homosexuality transforms from a sexuality that is frowned up into one which is accepted and even celebrated. Weekes uses homosexuality as an example of why sexuality is socially constructed and in doing this, follows what Freud started in his essay on …show more content…
As we saw above, Freud argued against the suggestion that inversion is degenerative for reasons including the fact that it is viewed differently in other cultures (6). Weekes suggests the same effect in discussing the early Europe relationships between men (20). While Freud does examine other cultures and begins with what we can see to be an early idea of social construction the intent of his example are slightly different and despite proving how society changes acceptance of inversion it is not nearly as fleshed out as Weekes’ thought. Weekes expands this thought and provides a greater explanation that, while more clearly in favor of social constructive approach, is inspired by what Freud