SOC 345 Chapter Notes - Chapter 8 part 2/2: Human Reproduction, Essentialism, Hermaphrodite
Document Summary
Katz, the invention of heterosexuality (pp 83 - 95) (cid:1036)b(cid:259)ynotystud(cid:259)ingytheyheterose(cid:258)ualyideayiny history, analysts of sex, gay and straight, have continuedytoyprivilegeythey(cid:1038)normal(cid:1039)yandy(cid:1038)natural(cid:1039)y atytheye(cid:258)penseyofythey(cid:1038)abnormal(cid:1039)yandy(cid:1038)unnatural(cid:1039)(cid:1037)y. Thesis: recognizing the time-bound and culturally specific character of the heterosexual category can help us begin to work toward a thoroughly historical view of sex. (pp 84) Before heterosexuality: early victorian true love, 1820 - 1860. Middle-class white americans idealized the idea of true love , with a true man and true woman. True love - only considered true love when the intention was to procreate, marry, and gendered man/woman. Men and women aspired to be distant from lust which was seen as sin. Legitimate natural desire was for procreation and a proper manhood or womanhood; no heteroerotic desire was thought to be directed exclusively and naturally toward the other sex; lust in men was roving. (pp 85) 1860 - marked the beginning of the development of the idea of heterosexuality and homosexuality.
