Introduction
The present essay will seek to discuss the themes of sexuality and gender within the framework of modern society, as well as their relationship with structures of power, as the topic has high prominence in the anthropological discussion. For this discussion, sexuality refers to the expression and the variety of modes of attraction experienced by people, while gender refers to their capacity for self-expression, identification, and understanding (Kenneth, 2014: 311). The two metrics will be analyzed through the lens of social expectation and power relations, which pertain to the preconceived ideas of identity prominent in society and the differences between different groups of people respectively.
Society as it currently exists is a product of philosophical, political, and economic circumstances, developing side-by-side and interacting in a wide variety of ways. The dominant cultures, along with the influence of people in power and the government define a set of expectations and principles most individuals have to abide by; therefore, determining a way in which culture is both seen and developed. Social expectations influence each person differently and apply to a varying degree depending on a person’s status and identity.
However, it is notable that marginalized groups or certain types of people that have historically been at a disadvantage often find themselves having to adapt to the status quo, or having parts of their being erased by the prevalence of the establishment. This is true for the concepts of gender and sexuality, which are both crucial to a person’s self-identification. The difference between the needs of the capitalist society, its main cultural aspects, and the actual people’s identities create a power disparity. The interaction between vulnerable groups and the primarily accepted social norms is interesting to explore, as it offers one a method of criticizing society while also outlining its primary aspects.
Gender, Sexuality, Expectations
Gender is a socially-understood set of characteristics people use to define themselves. The variety of gender expression exists on a spectrum, one that is determined both by the individual themselves and the way they are viewed by others. Women and other people of the female gender have historically been in a special place in society. Seen as the primary caretakers and supporters of the family, women have recently become members of the workforce, allowing them to provide for their families and support themselves without the need for financial reliance on another. However, such a change from the perceived dominance of the mother-daughter archetype has also come with its own set of expectations. While women are generally perceived to be subject to the same treatment and standards as men, that is not precisely the case.
Several standards and expectations exist within society, and the workplace, which apply to women much more harshly than men. In particular, a regular female in a workplace has to not only act within her professional capacity but also display several behaviors indicative of their gender identity (Freeman, 2000: 213). Attitude towards others, clothing style, physical appearance, and many other minor considerations are placed upon women disproportionally, making the process of working much more labor-intensive. Furthermore, the cultivation of the desired “professional” character and its continued display also puts more stress on women. The multitude of both external and internal expectations define the way women interact with the workplace and society as a whole, and shape the latter’s understanding of the female gender. The status quo perpetuates certain types of femininity, and fosters them in people, therefore creating larger expectations to see them being expressed.
Similarly, matters of sexuality are also regulated, mandated, and scrutinized by society. A heteronormative culture existing in many nations around the world places value on certain types of interpersonal interactions compared to others, creating an environment where heterosexual people are seen as preferable. In such a climate, the existence of those that are seen as “outside the norm”, be it those of different sexualities, or those choosing to express their attraction differently, are treated as outsiders. The norms existing in professional and casual environments further seek to reinforce this trend, promoting styles of expression, action, and belief that comply with the existing norms and power dynamics. Furthermore, the process of globalization and integration of cultures works to hide cultural variety, erase nuance and unite all people under the mono-cultural banner (Kenneth, 2014: 339). The unique expressions of sexuality, or any cases where a person’s preferences are outside the established norm, are either excluded from the common culture or adapted into an acceptable version of themselves.
Power Relations and Self-Expression
People’s ability to express themselves and the expectations placed upon them work within society to either reinforce or challenge existing social dynamics. In the case of gender and sexuality, the establishment and its actors, as well as the capitalist society, work to keep the power in the hands of those who are seen as most proper. People of marginalized groups and representatives of certain communities or cultures aside from the global norm are ostracized and denied the ability to gain power. In the workplace, it can be seen with employees being denied higher pay or promotions because of their “work attitude”, which can include all kinds of factors, including language, attire, gender expression, and many others. In politics, similar conditions exist that disallow certain types of people from participation, either by limiting their influence or diminishing their unique modes of group/self-expression.
References
Freeman, C. (2000). Fashioning femininity and ‘professional’ identities: Producing and consuming across formal and informal sectors (Eds.), High tech and high heels. (Excerpt, pp. 213-223, pp. 229-243, and pp. 250-252). Durham: Duke University Press.
Kenneth J. (2014). Sexuality (Eds.), Cultural anthropology: A toolkit for a global age. (pp. 311-345). New York: W.W. Norton & Company.