Describe compulsory heterosexuality and how society may influence the expression of sexual orientation.

What will be an ideal response?


In the United States and many other countries, the essential norm is to live socially as heterosexual and be married with children. Researchers call this concept compulsory heterosexuality. Coined by feminist writer Adrienne Rich, compulsory heterosexuality describes the condition of being socially compelled to have sexual relationships with and marry men, regardless of a woman's sexual orientation. By default, women have to adopt heterosexuality as their preferred mode, even if they are lesbian.
Feminists view compulsory heterosexuality as a basic tool to control women and their bodies, especially in male-dominated societies. These social mandates are so powerful that many people internalize them. The concept is now extended to both genders, and enables us to understand how certain individuals and groups may have to hide, disguise, or otherwise alter their sexual attractions and relationships to conform to society.

Interdisciplinary Studies

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What is ironic about the fact, that bisexuality is greatly underrepresented in the field of same-sex research?

a. Bisexual behavior is the most complex type of sexual behavior. b. Bisexual behavior is more accepted than homosexual behavior by mainstream Americans. c. People with bisexual attractions outnumber those with same-sex attractions. d. People with bisexual attractions can teach us about both straight and gay sexual behavior.

Interdisciplinary Studies

What is the main reason that strip clubs have rules on what part of a stripper's body a client can touch?

a. To protect the stripper b. To protect their business from pandering charges c. To maintain what is known as an "elite" status in the stripping industry d. To tightly regulate what fees are charged for what services

Interdisciplinary Studies

Compare the pro-life and pro-choice ethical positions on abortion with a description of the justifications supporting each position.

What will be an ideal response?

Interdisciplinary Studies

Which of the following statements about the legal repercussions of circulating nude photos on the Internet is true? 

A. Transmission of nude photos and videos of a person is not a felony if the person in the video or photo is under 16 years of age. B. Federal law ignores the manufacturing and distribution of pornographic materials involving underage individuals. C. Persons who produce and transmit child pornography are guilty of committing a felony under the federal law. D. Possession of child pornography is not considered a crime, though its manufacture and distribution is.

Interdisciplinary Studies