Essay #2

Essay #1

Heteronormativity is a term used to identify circumstances where deviants from heterosexual orientation are out casted or persecuted by society through certain policies and practices. It is the expectation of heterosexuality as the norm; this expectation can lead to difficult lives for those who do not fit the norm. Heteronormativity affects the dominant construction of masculinity, views on reproductive health and rights, and the gendered divisions of labor.

Heteronormativity shapes the construction of masculinity through two pathways, one by establishing the division of the human race into two separable genders and by imposing a fear of variations from the two genders and their expected roles. According to Anne Fasusto-Sterling, the division of the human race into two sexes, male and female, are not enough. There is more likely three to five sexes placed along a spectrum ranging from female to male (139). While the division of the human race into two sexes is an inaccurate acceptance by common culture; so is the division of the race into two genders, masculinity and femininity. Masculinity is pictured through physical strength, emotional toughness, power, and domination over femininity. This image is reinforced through a common fear of homosexuality among males. Heteronormativity enforces this fear because it attributes the image of homosexuality as abnormal and wrong. Homosexuals, especially homosexual males, are out casted from society and especially from their gender group. Homosexuality in males is linked to emasculation, an unmasking a male as really feminine (Kimmel 214). This fear inclines males to be overly masculine, making them take pride in their masculine qualities and thus domination over women. This domination can often be seen in forms of sexual violence.

Heteronormativity has played a fickle hand in many aspects of reproductive health, views, and technologies. Heterosexuality encompasses the division of the human race into two sexes, male and female. There are possibly five actually sexes, but three are often “corrected” at or shortly after birth. Children born somewhere in between male and female are surgically altered to fit into one of the two sexes. When it comes to reproductive health and society views on the rights to health, heterosexuality plays a major role. Lesbians and gays have a harder time receiving some health benefits, especially those dealing with children. Heterosexual couples are seen to be the correct type to start families and therefore find it easier to receive reproductive help through procedures like in vitro, surrogacy, and sperm donation. Heterosexual couples have fewer restrictions when attempting adoption.

The idea of Heteronormativity revolves around two genders, and relationships being constructed of couples, a pair of one of each gender. The division of genders creates a gender identity. Along with this identity comes certain gender roles that the sexes are expected to follow. These identities include the division of labor into two categories based off gender. Women are expected to do more domestic jobs especially those attributed to the home. While women are now allowed and socially accepted in the working world, there is still a sexist stigmatism to the types of jobs women typically obtain. Women are usually found in the fields of lower education, secretary positions, and nurses. Women are still a minority in fields of science, engineering, and high education. Women are also a minority in leadership positions such as CEOs and heads of industries. This can be attributed the issue that men and masculinity are seemingly dominating entities.

Essay #2

Gender expression starts with the body and physical appearances. There are separate body ideals generated for the each gender. The female body ideal includes being white, thin, young, beautiful, and athletic. This image is enhanced through the media and can lead to sexual violence.

The media has the ability to control society’s viewpoints on key thought processes. When it comes to the mythical norm for females the media accentuates this norm in advertising. For starters the media has typically focused on Caucasian women. Until recently it was rare to see any ethnical diversity on the television screen, but even today the typical women picked for advertising, unless the ad is centered on real and ordinary women, have dominating Caucasian aspects. Women and the sexuality of the women body are used throughout advertising. Even when dealing with problems unrelated to sexual intercourse or sexuality, women are used as key ploys to catch the masculine eye. Women are used to advertise shampoo, alcohol, running shoes, cars, and just about any other common object. The media fully supports this image and mythical ideal, because as the industry says, “sex sells”. While being gender neutral and politically correct would stop these images from occurring, being politically correct is not what generates profits.

While the female body is often sexualized in the media, this can lead to sexual violence towards women. The imagery can lead to false pretenses about women in the masculine mind. Women have the ever challenging task of trying to balance sexuality and purity. There is a doubled edged sword placed in front of the gender as a whole, where women are supposed to be both sexual beings while keeping their pure, moral image. The sexual violence evolves because some males start to believe in the notion that masculinity dominates femininity and this transfers to the realm of sexuality. Men believing they can dominate women and compromise their rights when it comes to sexual favors. The sexual violence is often ignored because many still view it has part of a woman’s job and the role of her body to please men. For a women to give into the sexual abuse of a partner or stranger is normal because she is just acting according to her gender role.