The creation and social control of sexualities

SOC 131

From last class

During our last class, we discussed how gender is something that we “do” or “perform.”

We also mentioned how our understandings and expressions of gender are influenced by the major agents of socialization.

In this vein, our textbook suggests that gender is taught, learned, performed, and policed.

Small-group discussion

Now that we’ve turned to examine the meaning of sexuality in our societies, would it be correct to say the same thing about sexuality? That is:

• Do we “do sexuality”?
• Is sexuality taught, learned, performed, and policed?
• If so, by who or what organizations?

Social construction of sexuality

• From what you’ve learned in the textbook, what can you say about how notions of sexuality have changed across time and across culture(s)?
• How can we explain those changes?

Sexualized images and representations as power

Our textbook mentions that, over centuries, US and European cultures have portrayed non-White people using highly sexualized images and representations (the case of Sara “Saartjie” Baartman is just one example of that).

• What are the consequences of these highly sexualized representations of non-White folks?
• Do they still impact us today?
• Can you think of other examples of intersectional sexualities that illustrate how inequalities are reproduced?

The social control of sexuality

Finally, let’s talk about the social control of sexuality.

• What do we mean by the “social control” of sexuality?
• How does the example of the medicalization of ED demonstrate this social control in practice?
• What other examples do you find useful?