Recording-2025-03-10T07:22:53.067Z

Overview of Sexualities

• Focus on essentialist and social constructionist approaches to sexualities.

• Use examples of casual sex and rape to illustrate these perspectives.

• Upcoming discussion on compulsory sexuality and asexualities.

Essentialist Approach

Key Concepts

• Essentialism: Views sexuality as a biological drive or instinct.

• Sexuality is seen as a natural phenomenon determined by nature; society may try to regulate it, but nature dictates sexual desires and identities.

• Dominant themes: drive, instinct, natural, innate.

Historical Context

• Sexology beginnings: Established in the mid-19th century by figures like Richard Kraft von Ebing and Alfred Kinsey.

• Focus on biological determinants of sexuality; acknowledges some cultural variations but sees underlying nature as universal.

Universal Sexuality Claims

• Human beings are inherently sexual; this drive is fundamental like the need for food and sleep.

• Heteronormative bias: Heterosexuality framed as the natural and normal attraction, making other sexual orientations seem unnatural or abnormal.

• Homosexuality was historically classified as a disease until its removal from the DSM in 1973.

Institutional Influence

• Legal recognition of gay and lesbian marriages only established in recent decades.

• Arguments against same-sex marriage often rooted in claims about the naturalness of heterosexual unions, supporting discriminatory policies based on perceived biological roles.

• Consequently, marriage seen as a natural human institution rather than a social construct.

Gendered Dynamics in Essentialism

• Gender roles: Men viewed as sexually aggressive and active; women as passive and needing love.

• Popular literature reinforces these stereotypes (e.g., John Gray's "Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus").

• Heterosexual coitus (penile-vaginal penetration) often regarded as the norm, while other sexual practices are marginalized.

Casual Sex Analysis

• Essentialist perspective focuses on heterosexual casual sex.

• Quantitative research indicates men are more interested in casual sex than women, leading to different emotional consequences for each gender.

Evolutionary Psychology

• Claims men and women differ fundamentally in sexual psychology due to evolutionary history.

• Men are less selective, driven by a biological impulse to reproduce, while women seek quality partners leading to more regrettable experiences in casual sex situations.

• Problematic implications of this framing regarding agency and control over sexual experiences.

Rape and Essentialism

• Some evolutionary psychologists argue that rape is an evolved mating strategy, a view widely critiqued for its reductionist perspective and unchanging nature of male sexual drive.

• This framing negates the socio-cultural dimensions and the repercussions of viewing rape as a natural biological urge.

• Dangerous implications: legitimizing sexual violence and neglecting the necessity for prevention measures.

Social Constructionist Approach

Key Concepts

• Social Constructionism: Views sexuality as a phenomenon shaped through cultural and social practices.

• Sexual attraction and desires are not inherent biological facts but rather result from societal constructs.

Theoretical Frameworks

• Incorporates diverse perspectives from canons such as Michel Foucault, emphasizing sexuality as historical constructs beyond biological determinism.

• Cultural meaning: Social practices shape how sexual identities (e.g., heterosexuality, homosexuality) are defined and understood.

Fluidity of Sexualities

• Sexual practices and identities are subject to change and reinterpretation rather than being fixed.

• Example: Creation of the homosexual identity in 1869 shifted the understanding of sodomy from an act to an identity, leading to stigmatization.

Cultural Critique of Heteronormativity

• Heteronormativity privileges heterosexuality, influencing legal, cultural, and social structures.

• Sexual practices and identities must be viewed as constructed rather than innate and stable.

Casual Sex and Rape Re-Analyzed

• External perspectives challenge dominant narratives surrounding casual sex experiences and gendered dynamics.

• Ethnographic example from Jirai community indicates varying perceptions of sexual consent, highlighting cultural differences in understanding rape.

• Sexual double standards reveal disparities in how casual sex is perceived based on gender, impacting emotional experiences and regret.

Conclusion

• Discussion emphasizes the need to challenge deterministic views surrounding sexuality.

• A future focus on compulsory heterosexuality and asexual identities will delve into these themes further.