The Social Construction of Sexuality

Gender, Sex, and Sexuality SOCI 1306 Symbolic Interactionism Interactionists emphasise how sexuality and sexual orientation are socially constructed, focusing on the meanings attached to these ideas. They contend that social and cultural interactions, rather than being innate, impact our view of sexuality. The way that femininity is viewed and valued in American culture is one important component of this idea. When compared to masculinity, which is connected to qualities like strength, aggressiveness, and dominance, femininity—which is frequently related to attributes like sensitivity, nurturing, and emotional expressiveness—is typically discounted. The consequences of this cultural prejudice are particularly severe for boys and men who exhibit feminine characteristics, as they are socially stigmatised and ridiculed for not conforming to stereotypical ideas of what it means to be a man. The social elevation of heterosexuality and the degradation of femininity interact. Interactionists draw attention to the idea that heterosexuality is accepted as the norm in many cultures, including the United States. They do this by analysing labels and social conventions. Normativity is not only a background influence; rather, it actively shapes personal identities and social norms. Before 1973, homosexuality was categorised as a mental illness by the American Psychological Association (APA), a classification that was both reflective of and supported by societal norms. The way that homosexuality was viewed and handled in society was greatly impacted by this classification. A central tenet of interactionism is labelling theory, which studies the ways in which being classified as deviant influences people's beliefs about themselves and their actions. When the American Psychological Association classified homosexuality as abnormal, it powerfully validated cultural biases and gave justification for discriminatory policies. Prior to 1973, the American Psychological Association classified homosexuality as an illness, illustrating the power of authoritative organisations to influence societal opinions and perpetuate stigmas. Because of this label, homosexuality came to be seen by society as aberrant, which had an impact on public policy, media representations, and day-to-day interactions. According to interactionists, these labels affect how people view themselves and are seen by others, contributing to the construction of reality rather than merely reflecting it. Such labelling can have a significant effect, causing internalised stigma and poor self-perceptions in persons who get the deviant label. The "looking-glass self" theory put forward by Charles Horton Cooley is especially pertinent to comprehending the effects of these social identities. Cooley asserts that our perception of ourselves is influenced by how we think others see us. We create our self-identification by imagining how we look to others, interpreting their responses, and building our identity on these perceptions. The disparaging labels, jokes, and widespread prejudice that gay people experience might cause them to have a poor self-perception. When people are exposed to such negativity on a regular basis, they may develop internalised homophobia, which is the acceptance of society's unfavourable perceptions of their sexual orientation. Significant psychological suffering, such as anxiety, sadness, and low self-esteem, may result from this. The grave repercussions of societal rejection for young gay people are highlighted by disturbing figures released by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A 2011 CDC research states that there is a considerable increase in the likelihood of mental health problems among young gay people who encounter high levels of societal rejection. Compared to their heterosexual colleagues, they are eight times more likely to try suicide and six times more likely to suffer from severe depression. These figures demonstrate the terrible effects that society perceptions and labelling have on the mental health and general wellbeing of LGBTQ+ people. The APA's new position on homosexuality is indicative of larger shifts in the way society views sexual orientation. The American Psychological Association (APA) recognised homosexuality as a normal part of human sexuality in 2008 and said that there is no correlation between psychopathology and sexual orientation. This change has important implications for larger society views as well as the area of mental health. It disproves the idea that heterosexuality is the only "normal" sexual orientation and makes room for LGBTQ+ people to be accepted and treated equally. Even with these developments, many LGBTQ+ people are still impacted by the stigma from the past. The significance of comprehending how historical and social surroundings influence present attitudes and behaviours is emphasised by interactionists. There are still consequences from the previous categorization of homosexuality as an illness, which feeds prejudice and discrimination. It is critical to acknowledge the ways in which these historical designations have influenced cultural standards and to endeavour to eliminate the damaging preconceptions and stereotypes that endure. To sum up, interactionist viewpoints on sexuality and sexual orientation emphasise how these ideas are socially produced. In society norms and attitudes, femininity is devalued and heterosexuality is given greater importance. These opinions were shaped by the American Psychological Association's previous definition of homosexuality as an illness, which served to perpetuate harmful stereotypes and stigmatise LGBTQ+ people. Cooley's "looking-glass self" hypothesis demonstrates how social interactions and labels may have a significant influence on one's sense of self and mental well-being. The critical need for cultural transformation is shown by the high incidence of despair and suicide among young gay people who are rejected by society. Fostering acceptance and equality requires acknowledging homosexuality as a natural feature of human sexuality, as the APA now does. Nonetheless, ongoing work is required to remove the residual effects of historical stigmatisation and to build a culture that is more accepting and helpful to everyone, regardless of sexual orientation.