Abstract
The terms such as classism, sexism, antisemitism, ableism have one main characteristic. They all are linked, due to the involvement of a negative prejudgment. Preconception’s primary purpose is to offer and maintain power and control. Such words are called isms, and all work to ensure the establishment of a defined norm in society. The unfortunate aspect is that the definition is made rigid by institutional and individual violence, which causes oppression a reality. This document explains the aspect of ism in a broader way in relation to heterosexuals and its effect on people’s daily lives.
Understanding Isms
Isms are names of complexes and rules for various philosophies that are either conflicting or distinct. Various groups or individuals with a way of thinking that applies to this appellation hold the doctrines as crucial (Kurunmäki & Marjanen, 2018a). Alternatively, the Isms are suffixes commonly used to explain opinions, beliefs and absolute value of people and things. The importance of adding such suffixes to terms is to help define a specific phenomenon in the context that is more general or expansive in attitude, views or beliefs. Heterosexism, for instance, is one of the many common terms with ‘isms’ the world is familiar with today.
The Concept of Heterosexism
Heterosexism refers to a system that subjugates people who define themselves as bisexual, gay, lesbians, and transgender, on the context of homophobia. Straight sexual orientation asserts that all individuals should be heterosexual, and, thus, the system discriminates or prejudices lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) personalities (Kurunmäki & Marjanen, 2018b). This kind of assertion results in judgments and biases that are centered on the idea that heterosexuality should be the only acceptable sexual orientation within a community. That means this system is viewed as superior or preferable, and that is why it relegates other types. In almost all the societies of the world, heterosexism is a systematic display of chauvinist acts occurring in all societal institutions, policies, and laws. The representation of this attitude occurs through the exclusion of concerns, needs, as well as life experiences of the LGBT individuals (Kurunmäki & Marjanen, 2018b). The superiority of heterosexism has supported the aspects of commonality in societies, thus cultivating various issues that people experience in their daily lives.
Issues People Experience in Their Everyday Lives
Members of the straight group consider themselves superior, thus stigmatizing the members of lesbian, bisexual, and gay community. The discrimination takes many forms, including overt acts of antagonism (Cage, 2017). These are discriminatory routine encounters, which include beliefs and adverse effects associated with group membership. For instance, the LGBT individuals go through loneliness because of rejection from some heterosexual members, making them develop fear and anxiety (Cage, 2017). Some lack a safe place or position in a community for them to feel more comfortable. Therefore, they live in fear, a fact that make them spend many hours indoors or with family members who understand them. Racism as well affects free engagement of people whether on the context of gender identity or sexual orientation (Cage, 2017). The minority group, therefore, suffers obstruction to achieving friendship, promising careers, and living in regions of their choice because of denial they encounter daily while trying to socialize with others.
In conclusion, isms are terms that explain and classify doctrines and ideology and, in the event, identify specific philosophies. The suffix in some terms that entails sexual orientation approves the aspects of rejection, harassment, and discrimination against the LGBT individuals. The unfortunate conception is that the ideology is dominating the societies, making it a doctrine that controls the way people think about others, as it is evident with a heterosexual community. Isms are, therefore, terms that are not only complex but also problematic, as the majority of its use states issues that are arguable in the communities.
References
Cage, M. (2017). Yes, there’s racism in the LGBT community. But there’s more outside it. The Washington Post, Web.
Kurunmäki, J., & Marjanen, J. (2018a). Isms, ideologies and setting the agenda for public debate. Journal of Political Ideologies, 23(3), 256-282.
Kurunmäki, J., & Marjanen, J. (2018b). A rhetorical view of isms: An introduction. Journal of Political Ideologies, 23(3), 241-255.