SOCI 2445 Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Child Pornography, Sexualization, Public Health
16 Dec 2020
School
Department
Course
Professor
Deviance Class 5: Sexuality
Part 1: Studying Sexuality
Studying Sexuality
-Difference between
− Biologically possible
− Socially acceptable
-Sexuality
− Influenced by society: morals, values, beliefs
− Dependent on: time, location, culture
-All cultures
− Differentiate between deviant vs. normal sexuality
− Regulate sexuality
o Formally: laws
o Informally: judgements, shame, approval
− Regulate our own behaviour based on societal beliefs
Social Typing Process
-Sexuality socially constructed
− Description → evaluation → prescription
-Process
− Description
o Person placed in category based on sexuality
− Evaluation
o Judged based on category they are placed into
− Prescription
o Individual subject to regulation or social control based on evaluation
-Changes
− Homosexuality: previously illegal (deviant) now socially acceptable in Canada
− Consent: previously less important, society now places emphasis
Social Constructionist Approach
-Elite discourse of sexuality
− Way we talk about sexuality influence how we view sexuality/our identities
− Discourses: scientific, political, legal, religious, media point of view
− Discourse shape our understanding of deviant non-deviant
-Analyzing sexual cultures
− Learn about larger social structures and processes
− How institutions, structures, process of power, hierarchies of race, ethnicity,
gender, class shape our understanding
− Romance in a rom-com: white heterosexual couple, high social class, wealthy
-Historically
− Sambian society
− Athens: encouraged powerful to assault slaves
− Now: consider power positions, consent
-Deviant sexuality
− Defined by dominant moral codes
− Socially controlled
− Formal vs informal regulation
− Regulated by others and ourselves
Part 2: Indigenous Sexuality
Pre-Colonization
-Indigenous view
− Sexuality not stigmatized
− Sex = positive, gift from creator
− Sex incorporated in all aspects of life: physical, spiritual, intellectual, emotional
− Sex natural and normalized
− Recognized multiple sex/gender variations
-European view
− Sexuality stigmatized
− Sex = necessary evil, infused with guilt
− Sex for procreation only
− Gender strict binary (man vs. woman)
− Women pure if a virgin
Colonization
-Initially
− Sexualization focal point
− Indigenous/settler relationships encouraged
-Then
− Indigenous sexuality socially typed as hypersexual
− Indigenous sex = deviantized
− European use sexuality as a tool for social control
o Prohibit relationships
o Teach enforce “proper” sexuality
o Force European views on Indigenous
Part 3: Evolving Meanings of Sexuality
Meaning of Sexuality
-Overall
− Changes in: economic, family, culture, religion, science
− Changes how we view, talk about, control sexuality
-Evolution
− 1) Reproduction within marriage
− 2) Intimacy within marriage
− 3) Personal fulfillment
Document Summary
Regulate our own behaviour based on societal beliefs. Description: person placed in category based on sexuality. Evaluation: judged based on category they are placed into. Individual subject to regulation or social control based on evaluation. Homosexuality: previously illegal (deviant) now socially acceptable in canada. Consent: previously less important, society now places emphasis. Way we talk about sexuality influence how we view sexuality/our identities. Discourses: scientific, political, legal, religious, media point of view. Discourse shape our understanding of deviant non-deviant. Learn about larger social structures and processes. How institutions, structures, process of power, hierarchies of race, ethnicity, gender, class shape our understanding. Romance in a rom-com: white heterosexual couple, high social class, wealthy. Sex incorporated in all aspects of life: physical, spiritual, intellectual, emotional. Sex = necessary evil, infused with guilt. European use sexuality as a tool for social control. Indigenous sex = deviantized: prohibit relationships, teach enforce proper sexuality, force european views on indigenous.
