Sociology 2259 Chapter Notes - Chapter 5: Inflectional Phrase, Dcf Interframe Space, System On A Chip
30 Apr 2018
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Chapter 5- “Deviant” and “Normal” Sexuality:
What is deviant sexuality?
• Complexity sexuality in human soc and point to dif ways sexuality can be perceived bio/
sociologically
• Bio- foundation upon norm and deviant sexuality def= norm sexuality anything you can
do, sociological- all judges people’s sexuality, most people’s sexual lives, if known, be
judged neg= something more than bio plays role how sexuality perceived and aspects
sexuality def as deviant/ norm
• Sub difs b/w bio poss and socially accepted- varies b/w individs
• Social processes det what deviant and norm sexuality in society- obj= cult and hist
variation norms used standard against deviance judged, subj= processes social
construction
• Who socially typed deviant through processes description (placed cat b/c sexuality),
evaluation (judged basis cat placed) and prescription (made subject part measures reg/
social control)- variation cult and time where characteristics fit within social hierarchy,
roles assigned people who exhibit characts and meanings attached
• Interactionist persp address process come understand and attribute meaning own
sexuality and sexuality others
• Critical persp analyze ways power infl people’s understandings and attributions of
meaning- power-reflexive work Foucault emph considered many at core contemp soc
studies sexuality
• Emph role elite discourse- knowledge about sexuality conveyed those in authority and
subsequently comes perceived as truth
• Can engage in part behav but not perceive behav ess component one’s self (sexual ident)-
only when proposed “self” late 19th cent homosexual idents became poss
• Analyse how sci, pol, legal, relig and media discourses of sexuality shape ways audience
members can imagine organizing lives- place limits what kinds persons acceptable/ poss
be at part sociohist moment, such individs cannot even imagine poss lie outside those
limits
The cultural and historical construction of sexuality:
• Sambia of New Guinea found same-sex sexual activities among M during certain period
life- required all M w/o exception, intended reproduce distinct roles M and W, patriarchal
structure of society and ability men be fierce and powerful warriors should need arise
• Cult and hist variations in sexuality- Athens 5th cent BC, norm and deviant sexuality def
basis power= focused needs and desires aristocratic M and reprod existing social struct
• Permitted marital sex to produce M heirs, as well sexual relations w other W, slaves,
foreigners and aristocratic adolescent boys for pleasure
• Sexual activity only acceptable b/w 2 persons occupying higher and lower positions on
hierarchy power, 2 aristocratic M= unacceptable and subj measures social control
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• Elite discourses place boundaries individs cults perceive acceptable, norm/ poss- govern
CN 21st cent infl reactions to sexual cults other soc as well as own and elite discourses
undergone long evolution
Traditional Aboriginal cultures: From holism to oppression:
• Hundreds years, various facets aborig cults suppressed, facing pot and actual eradication
hands political and relig auth (Europeans)
• Dif constructions sexuality so distinct sexuality became nexus conflict and subsequent
social control as colonization progressed
• Considerable variability across aborig cults dom moral codes gov sexuality- some
premarital and extramarital sex among W unacceptable and subj measures social control,
while others, accepted and might involve gifts given W fam
• Commonality= sexuality considered inextricably interwoven w all other aspects social
life
• Life (and sexuality) consist 4 component: physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual-
sexuality enhance aspects and not stig ex: incorp myths and stories and some place names
• Some cults pleasure acceptable b/w membs same sex as well- recog more than 2 sexes
and genders, many cults perceived range sexualities (and genders) norm
• Nadleeh- refer both masculine F-bodies and fem M-bodied membs comm
• European explorers used derogatory term berdache (M prostitute) ref bio M who assumed
F roles, including sexual relationships w men
• Not only people attracted membs same sex accepted cults and given specific roles social
struct, seen as norm and even necessary
• Moral codes reg part sexual behav at time, but other cases instead directed proper types
relationships b/w people- within spiritual belief systems, nec maint harmony and balance
social life and larger soc
• Europeans nondeviant sex= man and wife for reproduction in missionary not often,
sexuality W strictly controlled maint purity and sanctity home and assure paternity, same
sex unacceptable and subject informal and formal sanctions
• Aborig W early European settlers formed relationships= les femmes du pays (country
wives)- as colonization progressed, aborig sexuality one things felt need regg:
missionaries attempted eradicate devilish practice such as polygyny and cross-dressing,
and condemned heathen friskiness of natives
• Relationships b/w aborigs and Euro-CN discouraged as pop mixed-race W, such as
Metis, grew- more acceptable but feared consequences widespread race mixing so laws
instituted various times and parts CN/ America prohibiting (still occurred- choice/not)
• Such overt attempts regulate and control aborig sexuality, sub changes occurred sexual
cults aborig soc as adopted and integrated many aspects European sexual cult
• Sexual cults dynamic and ever-changing processes- cults cont evolve and transform, so
does sexuality, see looking how meanings and place sexuality in social struct changes
dom cult NA over last few cents
North America: The evolution of meanings of sexuality:
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• Meaning sexuality transformed primarily ass w reproduction within powerful structure of
kinship to being primarily ass w intimacy in marriage and then being ass w personal
fulfillment individs
• Practice slavery closely intertwined w control of sexuality- slave owners det who mate
purposes reproduction, F slaves expected cont sexually avail M membs owner’s fam and
even sexuality free blacks socially controlled b/c laws prohibiting black individs
marrying outside race
• Urbanized US- sexuality outside arenas courtship and marriage considered unacc and
sexuality formally and inform cont local Christian church, courts, fam and comm
• Kinship system considered legit regulator sexuality and reprod- marry pregnant before
• Comm legit regulator deviance, not uncommon neighbours report sexual improprieties
relv fam membs/ comm and church leaders- could be excommunicated church, even
punishable by death but often seen error judgment behav deviant not person (punished
publicly)
• Higher socioeconomic status sexual transgressor less severe punishment- men, owned
prop= fined, W (didn’t own property)= physically punished and more likely be punished
• Back men convicted raping white W (not black W) castrated but white men conv raping
white/ black W not castrated (unlikely considered raped black W)
• Deviant sexuality controlled and def revolved around dom meanings sexuality during 17th
cent, meanings incorp pragmatic considerations as well as cult ideals= for marriage prod
legit kids
• Def and control sexual deviance reinforced SE class, gender and racial hierarchies soc
constructed
• End 18th and throughout 19th cent urbanization and wage labour outside kinship system
took hold and progressed rapid pace, creating more anonymous lives distanced from
extended fam membs and comm surveillance- more likely marry for love and more open
expression affection emerged
• Enlightenment ideology ident nature good- lang sexuality no longer reproduction but
based emotional intimacy in marriage
• Fam becoming more isolated unit, recog private realm outside surveying gaze many
others (role church and state reg sexuality declined)
• W played larger role reg sexuality through efforts red pregnancy rates- health risk ass
pregnancy and childbirth and less need large numbers kids= abstain/ use contraception
• Medical prof more encompassing role reg sexuality by sci def sexual deviance (disease
sodomy) and conveying medical knowledge broader comm- self-control dom theme
contributions sci to sexual cult of time
• Controlling sexual passions enable “self-made man” focus energies economic success
• Cult industry (newspapers, mags, books) cont sexual cult era terms spread sex industry,
such as porn but other facets regulated sexual deviance- young W vul sexual appetites
unsavory young men growing cities= warned dangers, frequently result untimely death W
lead astray
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