Introduction
In North America, the connection between sexuality and sexual behaviour has played a very crucial role in that gender plays on the social fabric of the society and exceptions that people have. While traditionally the interpretation and understanding of gender and sexuality always focused on binary categorizations, modern vies have brought divergent views towards recognizing the fluidity and diversity of both gender and sexuality. This essay aims to explore the relationship between gender and sexuality providing a comprehensive analysis of the factors shaping gender roles in North America today.
Thesis Statement: There is an intricate relationship between sexuality, sexual behaviour, and gender roles in North America This is influenced by; historical contexts, contemporary anthropological approaches, the impact of heteronormativity, the advancements of the LGBTQ+ rights movement, and the intersectionality of gender, sexuality, and other identities. This highlights that there is a need for a nuanced understanding of these dynamics to promote inclusivity and equality in society.
Historically in North America, societal norms revolving around sexuality and sexual behavior have greatly influenced gender roles. From the pre-colonial to the colonial period, most of the emphasis has been singularly on the binary model which has always defined either male or female even when it comes with form the basis of gender and sexuality. Contemporary anthropological studies have also played an important role in understanding the fluidity of gender and sexuality in North America. The studies have explored and adopted frameworks such as feminist science frameworks, queer theory, and critical studies of race. These explorations and frameworks have not only acknowledged the diversity of gender and sexual identities but also shed light on the intersectionality of gender, sexuality, race, and other social constructs.
Coined by Michel Foucault, heteronormativity is a system of rights and privileges that accompany normative sexual choices and family formations. This has significantly influenced the gender roles in North America and has reinforced the societal expectations of heterosexual relationships as the norm. This framework has a significant impact on individuals who do not conform to the classical gender norms such as LGBTQ+ individuals and those that do not fit in the narrow definitions of masculinity and femininity. This causes these individuals immense pressure to conform or be discriminated against and marginalised.
In North America the LGBTQ+ movement has been critical and a pivotal force in not only challenging but also advocating for the reshaping of the traditional gender roles. In the recent past one of the most significant and key milestones of the movement has been the legalisation of same-sex marriage. This significant milestone has not only acceded the LGBTQ+ individuals equal rights but has also laid the groundwork that symbolises a shift in societal attitudes towards gender and sexuality. The movement has shown and advocated for the recognition of the diversity in gender identities and sexual orientations perception and advocating for a more equitable future. Intersectionality has also been another concept that brings to play the close relationship that social categorizations such as gender, sexuality, race, and ethnicity, play a crucial role in shaping individuals’ experiences and perceptions of gender roles. The concept recognises that the identities are not mutually exclusive but intersect by influencing an individual’s perception of society.
In conclusion, the interplay between sexuality, sexual behaviour and gender roles is dynamic and complex as they are shaped by several factors. The factors shaping the relationship between sexuality, sexual behaviour and gender roles include; historical contexts, contemporary anthropological approaches, and the LGBTQ+ rights movement. It is important to know that heteronormativity has shaped traditional gender roles while the LGBTQ+ rights movement has challenged these norms and led to changing attitudes towards gender and sexuality. It is there important to recognise that understanding the influence of sexuality and sexual behaviour on gender roles is important in promoting inclusivity and equality in North America.
Bibliography
CHANT, SYLVIA, and NIKKI CRASKE. “Gender and Sexuality.” In Gender in Latin America, 128–60. Latin American Bureau, 2003. http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt1hhfrqg.13.
Anderson, Leon. “LGBTQ Identities.” In Deviance: Social Constructions and Blurred Boundaries, 1st ed., 417–50. University of California Press, 2017. http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1525/j.ctv1wxsjn.17.
Collins, Patricia Hill. “Intersectionality’s Definitional Dilemmas.” Annual Review of Sociology 41 (2015): 1–20. http://www.jstor.org/stable/24807587.
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