Multidimensional Sexualities of Modern Youth
Human sexuality is a complex of emotional, social, erotic behaviors, and feelings that people express toward other individuals. According to Westbrook, such categories as “sex, gender, and sexuality are… socially constructed systems, changing over time and varying across cultures” (33). Given the intricacy of the relationships between these categories, sexual identity is not always directly determined by one’s sex or gender, providing a variety of forms.
Homosexual and heterosexual sexual orientations have long existed within the binary framework, but recently the tendencies have changed to the acceptance of multidimensional sexualities. Callis claims that modern youth demonstrate a variety of sexualities that are neither straight nor gay and do not fall into traditional binary understanding (215). People identify themselves as bisexual, queer, pan- or omnisexual, or sometimes choose not to assume any identity.
Despite the growing variety of multiple sexual identities, people still experience self-identification dilemmas that are connected to the absence of the proper label or the stigmas in society. Many terms are restricting as they limit variations of sexual behaviors, so people prefer not to assume any recognized identity. A number of respondents from the research conducted by Callis identified themselves as queer, using the word as an umbrella term that includes all non-binary sexualities (218).
The study based on anonymous interviews showed that a significant proportion of individuals who identified their sexualities as non-binary did not find a suitable term to describe their preferences and felt that there was none. However, they had to assume a particular label to be understood by society. Callis explains that the reason for the variety of sexual orientations is the increased awareness and acceptance of transgender individuals that break down a binary framework (216). The reason why young generations are more open for the change comes with their active use of social media.
Factors that Influence Alternative Sexualities
Breakdown of Bisexual Stigma
The appearance of multiple sexualities suggests that people, especially the youth, are willing to accept that a person can be different from homo- or heterosexual. Multidimensional identities assume that there are many shades of sexual orientation, not only the two opposites. This idea strikingly contrasts with the binary framework of only two sexes (male and female), two genders (masculine and feminine) and two sexualities (gay and straight). Thus, modern sexuality tendencies show that people can be attracted to any sex or gender, including intersex or transgender individuals.
Pansexuality or omnisexuality are popular labels for the identities that assume the “potential to be attracted to any gender” (Callis 218). Such orientations break down the binary perspective of gender and sex, implying acceptance of every identity. As one of the respondents mentioned, pansexuality is about “the person, not the genitalia” (Callis 220). Although bisexuality is also a non-binary category, many people prefer to avoid this term as it is based on the dual perception of sexes, while people are not divided only into two groups. Moreover, bisexuality is often stigmatized because of the stereotype that bisexual individuals are polygamous and unable to marital fidelity.
Awareness of Transsexuality and Gender Fluidity
The existence of non-binary sexualities that are not bisexual would be impossible without the variety of sexes and genders. According to Westbrook, there is a direct connection between sex and sexuality as the variety of sexual orientation grows with the increase in “the number of acceptable ways of being sexed” (39). The acceptance of transgender and transsexual identities and their popularization in mass culture results in the shift in the discourse regarding sexuality.
Assuming that individuals can be neither male nor female and that other people can be attracted to them, the existing framework of sexual identities cannot be limited to homo-, hetero-, and bisexual. The growing number of people who call themselves pansexual or queer signifies that these people are aware of multidimensional genders and treat them inclusively.
While society becomes more accepting of transgender individuals, the category still causes much confusion and stereotypes. Ryan claims that the majority of people readily welcome transgender people who are explicitly male or female, disregarding “gender complexity, multiplicity, and fluidity” (126). As a transgender individual, Ryan explains that one’s gender identity can be configured in many ways. It can be a combination of both male and female features, and the person should not necessarily fall into one of the opposite gender categories (Ryan 125).
The possibilities of gender identity expand beyond traditional cultural concepts of ‘man’ and ‘woman’ and include “gender-diverse, gender-expansive, and gender-variant people” (Ryan 133). Although society accepts transgender individuals more readily than some decades ago, people still discriminate against them when they do not correspond to society’s expectations. An attractive, slim, and rich transgender woman as Caitlyn Jenner is more likely to gain social approval for becoming a ‘proper’ woman that a person who is overweight, disabled, and who is in-between two sexes.
Implications of the Change
The change in sexualities shows that people are becoming more tolerant, assuming trans-friendly sexual identities. However, discrimination persists due to the limited understanding of sex, gender, and sexuality beyond the binary framework. Society has developed specific expectations towards transgender individuals based on dualism that result in the judgment of how well trans people fit into gender norms. According to Ryan, “the problem is not that some people fit into traditional binary gender roles but the assumption that everyone can and should fit into such roles” (131).
Discrimination leads to economic marginalization, workplace inequality, lookism, and weightism regarding trans individuals. Thus, the primary implication of multidimensional sexualities is that it demonstrates growing inclusiveness for multiple non-binary genders. Raising awareness promises that this discrimination can be soon reduced, as well as existing fears around transsexualities. Although the process is long and painstaking, modern youth demonstrates inclusiveness and friendliness towards humanity as the whole not only to specific gender characteristics.
Openness, freedom, and variety of sexual identities are not only about sex, gender, and sexuality but also about raising a more humane society of happy and healthy individuals. The growing diversity of sexual orientations, genders, and identities has positive implications for sexual education and education beyond the traditional heteronormative standards. Tolman advocates the emphasis on the development of the sexual well-being of young people instead of the imposed gender standards that make them correspond to the binary norms (140).
Ryan expresses a supporting idea, claiming that people need to understand that “there is more to humanity than boy and girl,” and one’s attitudes should not be founded on sex or gender (134). According to Tolman, being comfortable with one’s identity without shame or discrimination enhance the sexual well-being of a person (141). Thus, acceptance of gender variety is an essential step in learning how to be a sexual individual. Strong resistance to double standards leads to the recognition and respect of people who do not fit the typical framework.
References
Callis, April. “Beyond Bi.” Introducing the New Sexuality Studies, edited by Nancy L. Fischer and Steven Seidman, 3rd ed., Routledge, 2016, pp. 215-223.
Ryan, Joelle Ruby. “From Transgender to Trans*.” Introducing the New Sexuality Studies, edited by Nancy L. Fischer and Steven Seidman, 3rd ed., Routledge, 2016, pp. 124-135.
Tolman, Deborah L. “Adolescent Girls’ Sexuality.” Introducing the New Sexuality Studies, edited by Nancy L. Fischer and Steven Seidman, 3rd ed., Routledge, 2016, pp. 136-142.
Westbrook, Laurel. “Transforming the Sex/Gender/Sexuality System.” Introducing the New Sexuality Studies, edited by Nancy L. Fischer and Steven Seidman, 3rd ed., Routledge, 2016, pp. 33-40.