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CHAPTER 9

Constructing Gender and Sexuality. CHAPTER 9. Sexuality —A theme found almost everywhere Sex industry —A multibillion-dollar business U.S. culture —Sex as taboo. Understanding Sexuality. Sexuality is Everywhere. Multi-billion Dollar Sex Industry. Phone Sex Industry. Sex as Taboo.

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CHAPTER 9

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  1. Constructing Gender and Sexuality CHAPTER 9

  2. Sexuality—A theme found almost everywhere Sex industry—A multibillion-dollar business U.S. culture—Sex as taboo Understanding Sexuality

  3. Sexuality is Everywhere

  4. Multi-billion Dollar Sex Industry Phone Sex Industry

  5. Sex as Taboo Taboo Topics

  6. SEX • The biological distinction between females and males • Biologically: the way humans reproduce Sex: A Biological Issue

  7. PRIMARY SEX CHARACTERISTICS • Reproductive organs such as: • Testes (males) • Ovaries (females) Sex and the Body

  8. SECONDARY SEX CHARACTERISTICS • Bodily development such as changes in: • Voice range and timbre (tone) • Muscularity • Distribution of hair and adipose tissue Sex and the Body

  9. Sex is not the same as gender • Gender is an element of culture • Traits & behavior a culture attaches to being male or female: • Masculine • Feminine Gender

  10. When I was born, they looked at me and said: “What a good boy, what a smart boy, what a strong boy!” And when you were born, they looked at you and said: “What a good girl, what a smart girl, what a pretty girl!” "What A Good Boy" The Barenaked Ladies

  11. Strength Boldness Assertiveness Self-centeredness Powerful Individual achievement Independence Logical Masculine Characteristics

  12. MasculinITY

  13. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3exzMPT4nGI Crisis in Masculinity Masculinity

  14. Sensitive Gentle Emotional Weak Submissive Sexy Nurturing Dependent Feminine characteristics

  15. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTlmho_RovY&feature=related Killing Us Softly http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hibyAJOSW8U&feature=related Dove Commercial Femininity

  16. 11/20 Feminine?

  17. Sexuality has a biological foundation Sexuality is also a cultural issue Biologydoes not dictate specific ways of being sexual. Sex: A Cultural Issue

  18. Cultural norms & values influence: Who engages in sexual behavior With whom Under what circumstances Behaviors Sexuality and Culture

  19. CULTURAL VARIATION

  20. Cultural Variation: Cuban Poster

  21. Thonga of Africa don't kiss. • Sight of two people kissing invokes laughter • Remarks, "Look at them; they eat each other's saliva and dirt.“ • Not uncommon for Aranda of Australia to copulate 3 to 5 times nightly • Sleeping for short intervals in between sexual activity Sexuality in other cultures

  22. In Mangaia, an island in South Pacific, sex is actively encouraged. Mothers proud of daughters’ multiple sex partners Average "good" girl has had 3-4 boyfriends between the ages of 13 and 20 Sexuality in other cultures

  23. Bali, and the Lepcha of Sikkim • No elaborate rituals or practices of seduction. • If someone desires sex, just ask • True for both men and women • If a Goajiro woman of Colombia, trips a man during a ceremonial dance • He is required to have intercourse with her. Sexuality in other cultures

  24. In Oman, Yemen and United Arab Emirates, clitorectomies (surgical removal of clitoris) commonly performed on girls • Generally performed between infancy and adolescence • Reasons: • Tradition and Religious beliefs • Curb sexual desire • Protect virginity • Prevent immorality Sexuality in other cultures

  25. Every society controls sexuality Through social institutions: Family Religion Law Sexuality and social structure

  26. Example: Strongest sanctions against premarital sex are in patriarchal societies Banning promiscuity may function to establish paternity for inheritance Sexuality and Social structure

  27. Dr. Janell Carroll (Hartford University), in her book “Sex Around the World“ • U.S. has highest rate of teen pregnancy in the world • Possibly due to sex education and abstinence-only controversy Sexuality and social structure

  28. Comparison of Teen birth rates

  29. According to Carroll, differences in sexual behaviors, attitudes, and values are related to social structures: Economy Medicine Education Family Religion Sexuality and social structure

  30. In U.S.: Personal Fulfillment Emphasized • Emotional & physical fulfillment • Sexual satisfaction • Concern with foreplay & orgasm for both parties • Concernwith sexual technique • Goods & services to enhance sexual pleasure The Meaning of Sexual Behavior

  31. Other societies, emphasize Procreation Primarily vaginal intercourse Little or no foreplay Lack of concern for female experience Examples: China Iran The Meaning of Sexual Behavior

  32. A norm forbidding sexual relations or marriage between certain relatives • “Cultural Universal” • Biologicalreason– Reproduction between close relatives of increases the odds of producing offspring with mental and physical problems The Incest Taboo

  33. INCEST TABOO • Social reasons—Controlling sexuality between close relatives is necessary element of social organization • Limits sexual competition in families • Reproduction between close relatives would confuse kinship • Integrates the larger society

  34. Always been a contradiction • U.S. culture is individualistic • People have freedom to do what they wish as long as there is no direct harm to others • Privacy makes sex a matter of individual freedom and choice Sexual Attitudes in the United States

  35. In the U.S. sexuality is both restrictive and permissive • Restrictive • People view sex as a sign of personal morality • Permissive • Sex is a part of the mass media Regulating sexuality

  36. Sexual Revolution • Increased sexual activity overall • Changed women’s behavior more than men’s • Greater openness about sexuality develops as: • Societies become richer • Opportunities for women increase

  37. Three major approaches • Structural-functional analysis • Symbolic interaction analysis • Social-conflict analysis Theoretical Analysis of Sexuality

  38. Need To Regulate Sexuality • Culture and social institutions regulate with whom and when people reproduce • Allowing sexual passion to go unchecked would threaten family life • No society permits a completely free choice of sexual partners • “Legitimate” reproduction (within marriage) • “Illegitimate” reproduction (outside marriage) Structural-Functional Analysis

  39. Studies society and social creation of reality through Interaction between individuals is negotiated through shared meaning: Verbal communication Symbols Gestures Nonverbal communications Symbolic Interaction Analysis

  40. Creating reality: • Defining the situation • Defining the relationship • Creating the self • Goffman: Dramaturgy • Learning sexual scripts • Presentation of Self/Impression Management • Costumes • Props Symbolic Interaction Analysis

  41. Symbolic Interaction Body Language

  42. Sexuality reflects and perpetuates patterns of social inequality • Women subject to greater sexual regulation than men • Society’s “double standard” • Example: • Would women be involved in prostitution if they had economic opportunities equal to that of men? Social-Conflict Analysis

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