Heterosexuality Versus Homosexuality - Essay Example

Sexuality Sexuality refers to the way a person expresses himself or herself as a sexual being. It encompasses the sexual orientations and describes the importance of sexual expression in a person’s life. Surveys on sexual behaviour have revealed that humans have a large variety of sexual expressions depending on their background, social status, religious beliefs etc. Sexuality can be defined as, “the ways in which people experience and express themselves as sexual beings. This would include their perception of themselves as male or female and their capacity for erotic experiences and responses. The lack of genital sensation through injury, for instance, or the fact that somebody does not engage in sexual intercourse or fantasy, does not preclude him or her from being sexual.”1 From this definition it can be seen that a person’s sexuality will largely depend on how he or she feels about his or her self and what are the life experiences that leads to such feelings. As an individual develops into an adult, several factors mould the person’s perceptions. Historical, cultural, social, economical and political backgrounds play a major role in determining the personality of an individual and all these aspects will reflect on the person’s attitude, including his or her approach to sexuality. The said factors may also influence the person’s sexual orientation. Thus, sexuality cannot be understood from a single point of view or perspective because human sexual behaviour is complex and has a wide range. Therefore, it has engaged the interest of philosophers and psychologists right from the ancient times. The eastern cultures, especially the Indians, have explored the topic with an aesthetic approach. The book ‘Kamasutra’ written by a sage named Vatsyayana, is a classic example where “sexuality is acknowledged as a form of psychic energy which can legitimately find expression in a myriad ways, ranging from tender romantic love and conjugal concord to straightforward lust.”2 This theory focuses on the different ways of sexual expression, and it recognises both tender love and lust as reasonable sexual expressions. It also doesn’t believe that any such sexual expression should be considered as immodest. Sexuality is an important part of human life. It varies according to who a person, his or her sexual experiences, where she or her come from, in which part of the world he or she stays as well as educational background. Sexuality is constructed through different aspects such as social, emotional, biological and cultural and physical. Heterosexuality Versus Homosexuality: Society has, in the past, considered sexual relations between people of the same sex as taboo and actively discouraged it. People considered it unnatural and, therefore sinful due to such stigmas attached to it, it has also received the disapproval and dissent of the religious and social structures. The popular has held that the sexual act is primarily an act for procreation and not for pleasure of participants. However, with changing time, the social mores have undergone a lot of changes, especially in developed countries like Europe and US. The emerging philosophy promulgated the theory that natural mating process need not necessarily be the best and it is the individual’s choice that which sexual choice is the best for him or her. They also held that the selection of partner should not depend on gender but the preference of the individual because it is exclusively a personal matter. They also claimed that jurisdiction of what could be termed as rightful behaviour is based on individual preferences rather than social dictates. Many have relations with partners of the same sex but do not consider this as queer behaviour. Instead of treating it as deviant behaviour they consider it as natural because it is not nurtured. Thus conservative concepts began to become invalid, and people started seeing validity in the argument that a homosexual became so due to the primary nature of the individual’s constitution rather than a deliberative attempt. Thus, with the evolving times, the old model of two distinct genders began to fade and the societies are now accepting newer and bolder concepts. Same sex marriages are also accepted in Western cultures, and even in Eastern cultures this concept is in vogue albeit on a small scale and the sexual interaction between people of the same sex has become normal occurrences. This is because “the polar division between heterosexual and homosexual is also being challenged”3. Historical construction of sexuality Historically, there are two ways of viewing sexuality. In the eastern countries like India, Japan, and China it has been seen as an “erotica art” an avenue for aesthetic expression of one’s sexual energy rather than something dirty and shameful. Thus these cultures have elevated sexuality as a skill and not something reprehensible or unclean. It is something covert, because of the fact that it might lose its potency and the pure element of blissfulness if exhibited for outside view. On the other hand, in western culture the manifestation of natural sexual expression was repressed. It was considered something unmentionable, impossible to speak about or indulge in. Over the period of time, the older concepts changed and between the 17th and 19th centuries new ideas were conceived and started gaining acceptance as the “science of sexuality”. Still it failed to create a drastic impact on the society, apparently because of the power of religion over the choices of common man. In the 19th century the world as a whole saw several changes, both in economic as well as intellectual fronts. These changes reflected also in the human’s attitude to world’s sexuality. As a result, the ideas about sexuality as something sinful to be confessed also got altered. It was modified to modern demands of prudence, by turning into a science. Earlier, homosexuality was considered as an unnatural act but now it has come to be accepted as a reality that was prevalent though hidden. Now it is analyzed as a social construction with a new meaning. The term ‘homosexuality’ was invented in the 19th century. Later on, the term ‘heterosexuality’ was coined to differentiate it. Social construction of sexuality The social construction of sexuality derives from the fact that a person’s basic sexuality evolves from the influences of the social factors. Family, religion and educational institutions have a definite say on the constitution of one’s personality. Essentially the personality also determines the person’s sexual orientation. Though there has never been a systematic study of the social construction of sexuality and it is a subject with slow change, there is no doubt that multiple factors as discussed above, contribute to the social construction of sexuality. It is viewed as a “matrix of overlapping perspective”4. As a result of the awakening during the 19th Century, sexologists have classified sexual inclinations in more specific detail, including excessive sexual desires. It was during this time that the word homosexual also gained acceptance. In this regard, the findings of Foucault’s analysis, although deemed inaccurate in certain cases, have usefully traced the descent of families and relations, which seeks to bring out, through systematic excavations the shifting configurations and relation of power. The sexologists argue that the concepts of affection, erotic feelings and pleasures undergo changes as society changes. In the early 18th Century, love and sexual desire were distinct entities. As a result, people could display their love and affection to people of the same sex without social stigma. However, homosexuality was denounced because the general notion was that it was deviant sexual behaviour or perversion. The term ‘homo-sociality’, which is found in exclusive male settings and ‘homosexuality’, that is sexual behaviour between same sexes has a very thin line of distinction, since both display strong bonds of masculine friendship. Historical changes may involve continuation and increase in the organization of gender and well as breakages. What we need to be careful about is forming pre-conceived notions about the present social settings for past actions. This method provides the material for those advocating the shifting of sexualities for our present societies ‘transformation of intimacies’ and the (re) blurring of distinction between homosexuality and heterosexuality’. Cultural construction of sexuality In the same manner as social conditions influence a person’s sexuality, cultural factors also contribute in determining the nature of a person’s sexuality.” Cultural construction of sexuality involves a particular peoples attitudes, values, and beliefs regarding love, sex, and lifestyle. It determines what is deemed acceptable and unacceptable in the social, political, and sexual realm”. The word “cultural” assumes significance because it is through social intercourse that social world would develop. Cultural interaction is devoted, importantly to how ‘social life and the individual identities’ and ‘interpersonal relationship’ that mark it are achieved through language and interplay. The method by which it is achieved is also significant. Differentiation based on sex or gender created by Robert Stoller in 1968 and later taken up by Ann Oakley and others was not used in cultural studies of gender. This definition of ‘sex’ as ‘biological distinction between male and female and gender as the cultural overlay that creates men and women, boys and girls.’5 Goffman did not accept this definition and argued that any split of human bodies into male or female is basically the result of interpretation of meaning through language. Concepts of further, cultural construction are also based on Cultural Scenarios, Interpersonal scenarios, Intra-psychic. Cultural scenario explains the form and content of sexual behaviour and constitutes the basis of different queries regarding sexual behaviour. Interpersonal scenario is the moulding of cultural scenario into usage and sexual behaviour. In intra-psychic, the personality of the person internalises the sexual process and it becomes a sexual career. In intra-psychic scripts a high degree of sexual competence and sexual satisfaction has been determined. Political construction of sexuality The Marxist principles have been brought to the forefront in this theory in the sense that the relative production and utilization of labour power is the basis for other social relationship. The philosophy purports that men and women are in a class like relationship, where the labour power and individuality of the women are utilized by the man. The women are reduced to do menial and manual labour for the man and the wages for the woman’s labour is paid and controlled by the man. There is not only utilization of the women’s labour by the man but there are sexual differences also, just as Marx points out the class differences between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie. “If women were the equals of men, men would no longer equal themselves”6. If we are to accept the political constructions on the lines discussed above, then, gender difference between man and women is not natural but arises as a consequence of class difference. The women are used by the man for labour and it is here that heterosexuality is viewed as an institutionalized form of gender inequality. Thus the assertion of a woman’s sexual pleasures negates the theory of sexual indifference and inactivity in women. In conclusion, the political construction can be seen as promulgating the idea the social framework is the determining factor in gender and sexuality aspects of sexual behaviour. Some critics argue that in this theory the value attached to labour has been overemphasised. But it must also be said that it would be difficult to conceive of a situation wherein the gender differences between men and women would disappear should ‘men’s and women’s work in the private and public sphere equalized. Gender and sexuality In order to understand the concept of the relationship between gender and sexuality it would be first of all necessary to understand as to why the division occurred in the first place. The concept of marriages and constrictions and onerous responsibilities evolving out of family relationships and child bearing has placed severe strictures upon the freedom of people to practice their own code of conduct and sexual permissiveness. Due to social and economic constraints, the freedom of expression of one’s sexual choices manifests itself in the form of freedom to choose one’s partner oblivious of social culture and accepted norms. Normally marriages are conducted for the propagation of one’s race and to build a future generation through eugenics, but the same sex marriage is a defiance of established norms and may be entered into, without the necessity for physical intimacy, but only as an intellectual alliance of two minds belonging to the same gender. We view the aspects of heterosexuality, homosexuality and lesbianism from the point of view of a larger context of benefit to society and progression of social obligations. People live in society in order to be useful in the social context and to discharge their obligations towards humanity. Although homosexuality and lesbianism are being increasingly accepted in the social context in today’s society, primarily because non-acceptance would be infringement of one’s fundamental right of living according to one’s choice without harm to others, the accepted norms of society have to be kept in place. While engaging intellectual relationship between persons of with a person of the same sex is possible without sexual connotations, but perverted behaviour should be discouraged, however strong the argument in its favour may be. The relationship between gender and sexuality (Homosexuality) could be examined as follows: Male homosexuality Homosexuality thrived in Spain during the Muslim rule between the 8th Century and the 11th Century. Al Andalus, the ruler was pleasure loving and tolerant of homosexuality and nearly all rulers had boys as “sexual partners.”7 But, Christianity has opposed homosexuality since the Christian faith propagated monogamy and virginity as the basic tenets of marriages. Homosexuality is regarded as an unnatural behaviour. Homosexuality could also be spiritual, renouncing all physical contact and restricted only to mental bonding. The union between two persons of the same sex could be considered without sexual overtures. Female homosexuality or lesbianism In Spain, female homosexuality was lesser known. However lesbianism was not viewed with much interest since women were not in the possession of the “instrument”8 with which to commit sodomy. Women could easily pass off as men wearing male clothing and therefore there were fewer chances of lesbian contacts even in the armed forces. Erotic desire and behaviour The difference between erotic desires and behaviour lies in its conception and not necessarily in its practical implications. The meaning of erotic desire is the arousal of sexual feelings or excitement and behaviour may or may not construe sexual behaviour. Therefore it could be said that although erotic desire may be present, it may not manifest itself as behaviour, or the practical implementation of the desire. Desire shows the state of mind whereas behaviour concerns itself with its physical aspects and the conduct of the person concerned. The erotic desires spring from the mind and it translates into action in the form of behaviour. In most cases, could be seen their behaviour is a physical aspect erotic desire is just a mental act of possessing an inclination to indulge in a sexual act without necessarily accomplishing it. The act of consummating the erotic desires into action is what constitutes the sexual act. Another aspect of erotic behaviour is that it can act independent of erotic desire, as in the case of relationships between people of the same gender. Intimacy need not be result from erotic desires. The presence of erotic desire and behaviour is independent of each another and each can be present without the other. It is also relevant that behaviour conforms to social norms and strictures which may not be necessarily evident in erotic desires. The behaviour, especially in the human context could challenge accepted conduct in the form of sanctity of marriage, and the religious, cultural and social moorings of the established social context. Established precepts group to form religion and human beings conform to religious beliefs as acceptance of the faith. Although religion does not categorise homosexuality or lesbianism as sins when taken in its larger context, it is definitely unnatural behaviour which defies normal and accepted Human Code of Ethics. Sexual identities When humans are seen as sexual objects, people are categorized into symbolic and social order the way we view our bodies and control our behaviour. If we exercise our sexual preference for people of the same sex, then, at a later stage, whether we like it or not, this self identity of being a homosexual, lesbian or heterosexual would remain with us, and would be in our thoughts and actions. Sexual identities are constructed by what one views about one’s self in relation with the world as far as sexual options are concerned, and psychologically, how we view the sexual act. Some people view heterosexuality as an imposition of a stronger male on a weaker female; the male being the dominant partner and the female, a submissive or passive one. In order to assert her rights, an aggrieved female may take recourse to lesbianism, consciously or unconsciously. The factors determining the circumstances for choice of sexual identities may be genetic or biological, or it may be acquired through environmental effects on the psyche of the person, or it may also be due to a combination of both genetic and environmental factors. For example, a man repulsed by a woman may take recourse to homosexuality, in order to vent his grievances and may become a misogynist throughout his life. Similarly a woman who has had a disastrous love affair with a man may seek emotional solace in lesbianism. The biological element of sexual identities speaks of genetically acquired attraction for members of same sex. Although the effects may be felt progressively, the genetic condition exists from birth, probably from one parent having homosexual tendencies as well, and this is passed on to the offspring. Another reason for the construction of sexual identities lies in the environmental and situational aspects which a person undergoes. People in prison settings, hostels accommodation and people who serve in armed forces usually deal predominantly with one gender and are thus more likely to develop homosexual relationships due to absence of female partners and to give vent to repressed sexual desires. People of the same sex who come close to one another during the pursuit of educational and intellectual studies may develop physical relationship as well, because they do not wish to lose one another through other heterosexual unions. Thus sexual identities between them are established, primarily to continue the relationships. The sexual identities are established and reinforced through rapport and understanding of the self. It is also identified through the social settings and moral behaviour instilled in the person from a tender age. It would not be wrong to say that religious tenets and beliefs do play an important part in the determination of sexual identities and its continuum. Another aspect to be dealt with in relation to sexual identities are that of transvestites, who, although have the physical attributes of one gender, prefers the mental state of the opposite gender. The psychological conditioning may be such as to prefer the mental state of the other gender and also the subject feels emotionally comfortable and mentally satisfied by imaging oneself to belong the opposite gender. The sexual identities of transvestites are primarily innately constructed, but this is reinforced during emotional settings, stress and upheavals. Another explanation that could be offered is the assumption that sexual identities weigh heavily on how the person views the members of the opposite gender. If the feelings are positive and favourable, then, this could help him to align with them but if the viewpoints are negative, it could lead to misalignment and repulsive feelings. Conclusion Human sexuality, which is considered as a demonstration of sexual sensation and intimacy between human beings consists of a broad range of behaviour and processes including social, cultural, psychological, political physiological aspects of sex. Some cultures even recognize sexuality as an aesthetic art and tolerate expressions such as multi-partner orgies. Philosophy, ethics, morality and theology also cover the subject. The sexual behaviour of a person affects society, which in turn influences the expression of sexuality. Until recently, sexuality has been suppressed in most parts of the world because of unreasonable and ill founded restrictions on the outward exhibition sexuality. But in the 1960s society’s highhanded norms on sexuality gradually began losing its control. After all, an individual should have the right to express his instinctive drive. While unreasonable restrictions shouldn’t be imposed on sexual expression of a person, it does not mean that an individual has the right to meddle with the social equilibrium by excessiveness or perverseness. Therefore, striking the right balance between personal freedom and social equilibrium seems to be the best answer to the question of how permissive human sexual expression can be. Bibliography Nevid, J. S., Ficher-Rathus, L. and Rathus, S. A. 1995. Human Sexuality in a World of Diversity. Second Edition. Allyn and Bacon. Vatsyayana. 2001. The Kamasutra. Fourth Edition. Star Standard Industries (Pte) Ltd: Singapore. Burkett, Ian. 1998. Sexuality and Gender identity University of Bradford The Editorial Board of the Sociological Review. Brickell, Chris. 2006. The sociological construction of gender and sexuality. UK: Blackwell Publishers Ltd. Dynes, Wayne. 1990. Encyclopedia of Homosexuality. New York: Garland. Read More