Sexuality and Identity

• Weeks (1986) - What is sexuality?


  Sexuality is a social and historical construct, taking on different meanings depending on the society and time period. Expression of sexuality is dependent on social attitudes, but women and the LGBT+ community are sexually oppressed in many societies.
• Goffman - View of LGBT+


  Argues that LGBT+ sexuality is viewed by the majority of society as a 'spoiled identity', whereby it is heavily stigmatised by society as it goes against social norms. This can then impact how the LGBT+ community see themselves and feel able to express their sexuality.
• Batchelor: Media representations of sexuality


  The media is very heteronormative and reduces gay men to caricatures and effeminate stereotypes
• Religious perspective of sexuality


  Religion perpetuates control over sexuality by endorsing heterosexuality and marriage norms, often prohibiting homosexuality and premarital sex.
• Religious perspective of sexuality - Feminism


  Feminists criticize religion for repressing female sexuality, emphasizing virginity until marriage and sex solely for procreation.
• Religious perspective of sexuality - Functionalism


  Functionalists justify these norms, stating that heterosexual nuclear families are essential for societal order and child-rearing.
• The same-sex marriage act was introduced in...

  2014
• Civil partnerships were introduced in...

  2005
• Biology vs Culture in sexuality


  - Widespread belief that the sexuality of an individual is biological ('gay gene')

  - Cronin argues that sexuality being what you are vs what you choose only developed in the 17th century, making sexuality a social construct