SEXUALITY
Traditionally - homosexuality was considered a perversion, a
mental illness that needed to be cured and even a criminal offence
in the UK. Attitudes towards homosexuality have changed
significantly in British society over the last 50 years
Feminists point out the way in which women are often portrayed through their
sexuality – as sexual objects for men to fantasise about.
Rich argues that women’s sexuality is oppressed by men in patriarchal society,
through institutions such as marriage, through sexual violence and rape and through
the sexual objectification of women -Compulsory heterosexuality-
Women are socialised into a subordinate and heterosexual role, ensuring their availability to men.
Studies suggest that homosexual behaviour does not automatically
lead to a homosexual identity.
Weeks argues that ‘sexual identification is a strange thing’, and more
complex than other aspects of identity. Points out that there are
people who identify themselves as gay and participate in the gay
community, but do not participate in same-sex sexual activity, but
there are also people who do have samesex sexual encounters, but do
not identify themselves as gay.
Reiss’ study, he found that young male prostitutes, or ‘rent boys’,
regarded themselves as heterosexual, despite having sex with men for
money
Quinn : same-sex relationships of tribal people
- Native American tribes celebrated same-sex marriage between two
males with one being the 'wife' .
Weeks (-87) points out, not many would say ‘I am heterosexual’ in
Traditionally - homosexuality was considered a perversion, a
mental illness that needed to be cured and even a criminal offence
in the UK. Attitudes towards homosexuality have changed
significantly in British society over the last 50 years
Feminists point out the way in which women are often portrayed through their
sexuality – as sexual objects for men to fantasise about.
Rich argues that women’s sexuality is oppressed by men in patriarchal society,
through institutions such as marriage, through sexual violence and rape and through
the sexual objectification of women -Compulsory heterosexuality-
Women are socialised into a subordinate and heterosexual role, ensuring their availability to men.
Studies suggest that homosexual behaviour does not automatically
lead to a homosexual identity.
Weeks argues that ‘sexual identification is a strange thing’, and more
complex than other aspects of identity. Points out that there are
people who identify themselves as gay and participate in the gay
community, but do not participate in same-sex sexual activity, but
there are also people who do have samesex sexual encounters, but do
not identify themselves as gay.
Reiss’ study, he found that young male prostitutes, or ‘rent boys’,
regarded themselves as heterosexual, despite having sex with men for
money
Quinn : same-sex relationships of tribal people
- Native American tribes celebrated same-sex marriage between two
males with one being the 'wife' .
Weeks (-87) points out, not many would say ‘I am heterosexual’ in
