SOC 345 Chapter 4 part 1/2: Schwartz & Rutter, “The social origins of desire”
Document Summary
Schwartz & rutter, the social origins of desire . Biology and genetics alone do not shape human sexuality. Society defines what is normal and what is not when it comes to your desires. Premarital sex is accepted, and even expected to be educated and experienced in sex. Highly catholic society -- church has strict prohibitions against premarital sex, birth control, and expression of lust. Norms - well-known, unwritten rules of society. Woman was portrayed as the stormy temptress and man the reluctant participant, as in the bible story of adam and eve. (pg14) This is interesting because women are often sexualized in a negative connotation in society, and as a repercussion puts the male figure in this superior light. At other times, women were seen as pure in thought and deed while men were voracious sexual beasts, as the victorians would have it. (pg 14) High heels is a good example of a socially constructed gender norm.
