In The Social Construction Of Heterosexuality

Heterosexuality is Natural

Since the beginning of mankind, the human species has been able to populate and cover the planet through reproduction. The natural reproduction is between a man and women, so heterosexuality is seen as the popular form of sexuality. However, many people believe that not only is heterosexuality not natural, but is constructed by society. Pepper Schwartz, a professor of sociology at the University of Washington, believes that heterosexuality is a construct of cultural norms. Society creates expectations for how sexuality should be presented and performed, but down to the root of human nature heterosexuality is much more prevalent than any other form of sexuality. I disagree with professor Schwartz, and I believe that

Now I agree that there are people who are born to be homosexual and are naturally attracted to the same sex, but this group is the minority in the world. Schwartz says, “Countless research papers have shown that even infants are programmed into adult sexual niches: we are socially constructed as heterosexual as soon as we are propelled out into the world” (p.187). She is saying that people are not born heterosexual, but are taught to feel this way. This is incredibly narrow, because often times society will define masculinity and femininity, but will not always express who to be attracted to. Even at the age of two, kids understand the differences in sex, so they are not clueless in that aspect. The arguments that parents and society shape the way that people conform to their sexual preferences is not entirely true. I have friends who have the same sex parents, and their sexuality does not reflect their parents. There are times when people are looked down upon for being homosexual, and the fear for coming out is a real thing. Even in school I remember when people who were different weren't included and ostracized. Society may not be fully accepting of homosexuality, because it is not necessarily common, but homosexuality has been more open than ever. The LGBTQ community was once highly mistreated, but today there is equal marriage, discrimination laws, and respect for preferred pronouns. Some governments, like Canada, go as far as trying to make a law that makes it illegal to use improper pronouns. I for one oppose such laws that limit freedom of speech, and fascist legislation, but at least their voices are