Deviance
Sexual Deviance & Social Control of Sexuality
Quote by Gayle Rubin:
“Most people find it difficult to grasp that whatever they like to do sexually will be thoroughly repulsive to someone else, and that whatever repels them sexually will be the most treasured delight of someone, somewhere.”
What Counts as "Normal" Sex
Key Questions:
What defines "normal" sex?
Who determines this?
Is all sex equal if it involves consenting adults?
Cultural Anthropologist Gayle Rubin:
Famous for developing feminist queer theory.
Argued that sexuality is organized by a moral hierarchy rather than solely by consent or harm.
Introduced the concept of the sexual value system:
Some sexualities are deemed 'good' and rewarded socially.
Others are viewed as 'bad' and punished.
Understanding Deviance
Definition of Deviance:
Behaviours are judged as “normal” or “deviant” based on social norms rather than inherent harm.
Labeling Theory (Howard Becker):
No act is inherently deviant; it becomes so when society labels it as such.
Stigma (Erving Goffman):
Social mark which discredits a person or group, leading to a reduction from “normal” status to “tainted.”
Sexual Hierarchy (Rubin):
Recognition that some sexualities are rewarded/respected, while others are punished/marginalized.
Context and Changing Perceptions
Criteria defining sexual behaviours as “normal” or “deviant” depend on:
Social context
Identity (genders, race, ethnicity, etc.)
Activity:
Choose one behaviour and “flip the script” to determine:
A. How the behaviour could be perceived as More Deviant
B. How it could be perceived as Less Deviant
Consider:
Identities include gender, race, ethnicity, age, social class, sexual orientation.
Contexts include location, time period, culture, community.
Thinking Sex
Quote from Gayle Rubin (1984):
“Like gender, sexuality is political. It is organized into systems of power, which reward and encourage some individuals and activities, while punishing and suppressing others.”
The Charmed Circle
Analytical Model by Gayle Rubin:
Inner Circle:
Represents socially approved sex.
Outer Limits:
Represents stigmatized or criminalized sex.
Dynamic Boundaries:
These boundaries shift over time and across cultures.
Power Dynamics:
Institutions (government, law, religion, media, families) control these boundaries, rewarding conformity and punishing deviance.
Marriage and Social Norms
Consensus on marriage:
Monogamous and reproductive marriage is culturally and legally reinforced.
Societal benefits include tax advantages, legal recognition, and social acceptance.
Specifically in Quebec:
Common-law relationships lack protections for ownership of the home, division of property, support payments, and inheritance without a will.
Gendered Perspectives on Sexuality
Research by McGhee and McCabe (2015) on societal judgments of promiscuity:
Negative Judgments:
Women seen as promiscuous judged more harshly than men.
Character Assumptions:
Assumed lower self-esteem and poorer decision-making for women.
Social Consequences:
Stigma impacts women’s ability to form friendships and romantic relationships.
Impact of Participant Gender:
Both genders judged promiscuous women negatively, with women often harsher due to internalized norms.
Conclusion:
Illustrates persistent gendered double standards in sexual behavior.
Understanding Polygamy
Definitions:
Polygamy: Having more than one spouse.
Polyandry: A woman having multiple husbands.
Polygyny: A man having multiple wives.
Polyamory: Intimate relationships involving more than two people.
Legal Context of Polygamy in Canada
In 2011, British Columbia Supreme Court upheld laws criminalizing polygamous marriage, stating:
“The law seeks to advance the institution of monogamous marriage, a fundamental value in Western society.”
LGBTQ+ Rights and Experiences
2021 Canada-wide study on experiences in school:
64% of all students heard homophobic comments from peers and teachers (70% in prior years).
62% of LGBTQ students feel unsafe at school (down from 64%).
Intersectionality:
Queer BIPOC individuals face more discrimination and violence than white counterparts, leading to higher mental health issues.
Reference to ongoing discrimination in LGBTQ environments.
Historical Stigma Against Public Sexuality
Example:
In the 1950s, Montreal's Mount Royal was cleared by the mayor to deter sexual activities.
Affected Groups by Laws Preventing Public Sex:
Individuals lacking privacy (e.g., homeless, street-based sex workers, young people).
Discriminative enforcement of public decency laws can target those marginalized from mainstream society.
Age of Consent and Sexual Rights
Critical Views by Rubin:
Protective laws can hinder access to sex education and services for minors, creating a paradox of protection vs. punishment.
Moral Panic Over Youth Sexuality
In 2015, Ontario updated sex education curriculum for the first time since 1998.
The conservative backlash led to delays and reductions in essential topics:
Consent and healthy relationships.
Gender identity and LGBTQ+ issues. - Sexual health and digital citizenship.
Conclusion:
Examines the societal debates over youth sexual education and perception shifts.
Myths About BDSM
Common Misconceptions:
It’s rare.
It’s a new fad.
Participants are psychologically maladjusted.
Participants were likely abused in childhood.
BDSM is spontaneous and violent.
Series like Fifty Shades accurately depict BDSM relationships.
Consequences of Labeling:
Stigma experienced by those ‘outed’ can result in loss of jobs, custody, and relationships.
Stigmatization and Mental Illness
Historical Context in DSM:
DSM-I (1952): Classified sadism and masochism as “sexual deviations.”
DSM-II (1968): Continued the same classification.
DSM-III (1980): Introduced paraphilias, which included sexual interests early considered deviant.
DSM-IV (1994): Paraphilias classified as disorders only if causing distress.
DSM-5 (2013–present): Distinction between paraphilia (unusual interest) vs. paraphilic disorder (causing distress or involving non-consent).
Difference Between BDSM and Abuse
Core Principles of BDSM:
Focus on communication, setup, agreement, planning, and aftercare.
Characteristics of Abuse:
Involves guilt, a cycle of blame, and excuses.
Sexuality and Technology
Sex and The City:
Credited with normalizing women's use of sex toys.
Sex toys are now easily accessible, yet stigma still persists for men using such products.
Sex Robots (2010):
Roxxxy: The world’s first sex robot; complexities around acceptance in society are noted.
Discuss implications:
Why are some sex toys normalized while others remain stigmatized?
Who stands to benefit or lose if sex robots become mainstream?
Pornography Regulations
Legal Framework (Section 163(8) of the Criminal Code):
Defines undue exploitation of sex alongside crime, horror, cruelty, or violence as obscene.
Selective enforcement leads to disproportionate targeting of queer publications versus sexist or violent pornography.
The Politics of Sexuality
Quote from Gayle Rubin:
Discussions on sexuality become critical during societal turmoil, examining deeper societal fears and control methods.
Radical Theory of Sexuality
Rubin's Vision:
A radical theory must identify and condemn erotic injustice and sexual oppression.
Critique of Western culture’s treatment of sexuality, advocating for a democratic moral framework that prioritizes consent and mutual respect in sexual relationships.