Midterm #2

Heternormativity is the idea that the norm of society is for people to be with those of the opposite sex. Because it is the norm for men to like women, men often view homosexual men as not masculine. It also makes it harder for non-heterosexual couples to adopt children or raise their biological ones (172). They are discriminated against because they are not part of the social norm. Because their choice is ‘abnormal’ they have a hard time winning custody of their children (172). People believe that if their children are raised in this kind of environment, they too will partake in homosexuality. There is also the idea that homosexuals are more abusive towards their children (173). These prejudices are all results of the idea of heternormativity. There are other results of heternormativity such as the fact that gay marriage is banned. So many people follow heternormativity they view any skew away from it as a threat to their ‘normal’ lives.
Heteronormativity also deals with two distinct categories of gender, men and women. It assigns specific roles to each category such as women should be the homemakers while men should be the bread winners. This plays an important role in masculinity because it gives men automatic power over women. They believe they have more authority because their jobs outside of the home are ‘more important.’ This also creates a division of labor in gender because it separates careers based on the characteristics of gender. Women are usually pushed into “pink-collar jobs” such as teaching, secretarial work, or nursing (444). Women are supposed to be dependent, caring, and submissive. These jobs are expected to entail some of these characteristics. Men are supposed to be authoritive and good at manual labor, for this reason only 2 percent of men are employed in production and repair (444). The separation of gender is a major part of heteronormativity. Not only does heteronormativity discriminated between sexes but against the social ‘outcasts’ of society such as homosexuals. We as a society must learn to accept everyone, regarless if they fit the social heternormativity.

Women are influenced everyday by pictures, video, and other forms of media portraying slim, beautiful, large breasted, women. These images create an ideal body type that women try to obtain. Women view their bodies as a “sourc[e] of despair rather than joy and celebration” (229). There is so much pressure by society to fit the norm it can have adverse affects on a woman’s health. The idea of objectification states that we view our bodies as objects (230). This idea is dangerous to women because it is a major view that men have. When they view a woman as a body and not a person, they are more likely to abuse that woman. Women reinforce the idea that a woman is an object when they obsess over their appearance. When women have lower self-esteems because they do not fit into the ‘norm’ set by the media, they are more vulnerable to attention that could result in violent actions. They also are less likely to report violent actions. Physical appearance is also directly related to the way that women are treated. For example the way women struggle to look young as they age (232).
Standards set by society are set by people of power, not the standard women. The Body project states that garment industries developed the bra and at the same time sexualized the woman’s breasts. The clothing industry sets standards they we are not forced to choose but society influences us to choose them (237). These standards may sexualize women and in return cause objectivity. When men see women that are wearing sexualized clothing they take it as a form of consent. This idea could also lead to a higher risk of victimization.
Women’s bodies play an important role in capitalism and consumerism. There are huge profits from women’s clothing, beauty products, entertainment, etc. Women must remember that although they may like a product that is being sold, they are subject to the ideal woman idea. The products are portrayed on the beautiful ideal woman. If a woman does not meet these standards she may have feels of self doubt and low self esteem (241). Women are at great risks from the ideas that society places upon them. We must learn to create our own ideas and not follow the social norm if we want to leave healthy independent lives.

Rape on College Campuses Event

I attended Neal King’s talk on Rape on College Campuses. The event was Wednesday November 7th at 7:15 in 223 Engel Hall. The talk was about how women follow the regulations that men set. Men give themselves power by setting up inequalities such as creating a big group of peole, turning down the lights, dancing, loud music, etc. Throughout the United States, crime rate has dropped but on college campuses it has remained the same. This is due to the high rate of rape on college campuses. Alcohol is a major factor in rape cases. In inhibits the ability to make decisions the way one normally would. Men look to women to reinforce their masculinity, for this reason, they view women as objects of sex. Women go to parties trying to be hot but not “slutty” and to be nice. When they aren’t nice, and don’t give in to the men’s wishes, having sex, the men view this as leading a guy on. They are persistant until they get a yes out of a girl. They view her actions as consent although they clearly aren’t. Some of these actions might be dancing sexy, drugging herself with alcohol, or even just accepting a drink from a guy at the party. The girls that are at most risk are freshman girls until Thanksgiving break and off-campus girls and those at the lowest risk are girlfriends of brothers in the fraternity. These acts of rape continue because guys let them continue. They know that it is wrong but they keep their mouths shut. They want to protect their brothers although they may question their actions. Victims of rape are faced with stress, illness, academic disability, and distrust. They are less “competitive” in the real world and because most rape victims are women, this puts men at yet another advantage. Dry campuses, education, women in control of partying, and self defense classes are a few actions that are being done to lower the amount of rape cases on college campuses.
The idea of social gender construction plays an important part in rape cases. Men are viewed in society as more powerful and dominant while women are supposed to be submissive. This idea can be misinterpreted by many men and when women do not act the “way they should” they could become victims of violence and rape. Men show their authority by controlling women. This also deals with the interviews we did on violence towards women. My stepfather suggested self defense classes for women, a idea that is being practiced now, and most everyone said education was key. Education for women is the best way to stop rape because men will continue to be influenced by society.
I was very impressed by the presentation. Although I was not shocked completely by the quotes from some of the fraternity brothers, it upsets me that so may guys think this way. The world is really a much more dangerous place than we think it is. Our naivity could cause us great turmoil if we do not open our eyes to the reality of the world. I also believe that education is an excellent way to stop rape on college campuses, and this talk served as a great educational tool. I agree with the idea that men use fraternities for networking but I never considered the idea that they did so and pushed women out at the same time. After the idea was presented, it makes sense. I would like to think that this does not include most guys in our fraternities here on our campus, however, I have had a couple of friends who experienced attemped rape in fraternity houses.

Civil Union

I believe that same sex couples should be able to be involved in a civil union. Marriage is defined as a union between a male and female, I believe that it should remain that way. However, I believe that all people have the same rights and that does not exclude homosexuals. There are many reasons for a civil union including shared taxes, children, and recognition as family. Homosexuals should have an equal opportunity to these benefits. For this reason, I am for civil union between couples of the same sex.
Marriage has its own problems, such as divorce, a major problem in the United States. As a child of divorce, I understand how hard it is for the family as a whole when two parents divorce. Before the divorce, the parents are always arguing, which could cause an even more adverse affect on the child than the actual divorce itself. Then there is the divorce, custody hearings, and afterwards the traveling back and forth. It has been proven that homosexual couples have a high relationship success rate (152). It is better for a child to have two parents at home, rather that one who is always struggling to raise them. It takes time to be a parent and for this reason it is important that the child has two parents to take of him or her.
Spriggs argues that many homosexual men have short term partners, a fact that could interfere with adoption of a child between the two partners. However, if a homosexual couple were in a civil union, it would show more stability in the relationship. Civil unions would reduce the ambiguity of adoption for homosexual couples.
In the argument against unions between homosexual couples, the child’s mental health was a concern. However, children also suffer from problems of marriage between heterosexual couples, such as divorce, moving because of a job, etc. There are many different aspects to a child’s life besides their parents as well. A child’s mental health could be due to school, sports, or other aspects of the child’s life.
Children of homosexual couples may be different, but different should not be perceived as a bad aspect. The research regarding lesbian couples and their children shows that children of lesbian couples are more likely to try out homosexual relationships; however, if we are regarding this as a bad thing, then we are discriminating against homosexuals. Homosexuality is a way of life, people do not choose to be homosexual and therefore, they should not be discriminated against. If a person is truly homosexual, whether or not their parents are has no determination on the sexuality of that person in the future.
Marriage between black and white used to be banned as well. Spriggs argues that this is a different situation because this law was used to keep the social status at the time constant. However, marriage between homosexuals is, in reality, part of the same social ladder. Homosexuality is gaining more support from the public, but it is still not the norm. Furthermore, it is not fully accepted by society. The idea that homosexuals can not be married continues to exclude homosexuals from our norm society.
The argument that homosexuals have “more diseases” is invalid. These are only a few of the many different diseases people in the United States have. It would be more dangerous for a child to live in a home of a single mom who makes on her money on the streets, or a drug dealer, or even an overweight person at risk for heart attack. We could even take it as far as to say before someone wishes to have a child; they must get a DNA test to make sure they aren’t at risk for any type of inheritable diseases that the child could acquire. Disease is a part of human life, and unfortunately, there is little we can do to regulate what a child is born into. If a homosexual couple is willing to adopt, willing to love the child, and has the capability to do so, they should be allowed.
In conclusion, civil unions are the next step towards making homosexuals equal in our society. The prejudices and discrimination towards homosexuals in our present society restricts the idea of civil unions. Homosexuals are equal citizens and deserve to have the rights that all Americans do.