Heterosexism: Difference between revisions
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Heterosexism is the understanding that [[heterosexuality]] is the only [[nature|natural]], evolutionarily fit, [[normality (behavior)|normal]], or [[moral]] mode of sexual behavior, and is also used to refer to the effects of that |
Heterosexism is the understanding that [[heterosexuality]] is the only [[nature|natural]], evolutionarily fit, [[normality (behavior)|normal]], or [[moral]] mode of sexual behavior, and is also used to refer to the effects of that |
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instinct. The word 'heterosexualism' has also been proposed to mean essentially the same thing. <!--In The Dictionary of Psychology [1] <b>heterosexism</b> is defined as |
instinct. The word 'heterosexualism' has also been proposed to mean essentially the same thing. <!--In The Dictionary of Psychology [1] <b>heterosexism</b> is defined as |
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"An argument that male-female sexuality is the only correct, natural, proper, or moral mode of sexual activity. [Also proposed as] 'heterosexualism'. --> <ref>Corsini, Raymond J., ''The Dictionary of Psychology'' (2001), ISBN 1-58391-328-9<br></ref> This word has been suggested as an alternative to [[homophobia]] <ref>Herek, Gregory M., Ph.D., " Beyond 'Homophobia': Thinking About Sexual Prejudice and Stigma in the Twenty-First Century." Sexuality Research & Social Policy (April, 2004)</ref>, in part due to a [[Memetic engineering|memetic]] attempt at useing it as a parallel structure to [[sexism]] or [[racism]]. The intent of heterosexism is the examination of the increased cultural or biological value placed on heterosexuals rather than individual bias, which is the focus of homophobia. |
"An argument that male-female sexuality is the only correct, natural, proper, or moral mode of sexual activity. [Also proposed as] 'heterosexualism'. --> <ref>Corsini, Raymond J., ''The Dictionary of Psychology'' (2001), ISBN 1-58391-328-9<br></ref> This word has been suggested as an alternative to [[homophobia]] <ref>Herek, Gregory M., Ph.D., " Beyond 'Homophobia': Thinking About Sexual Prejudice and Stigma in the Twenty-First Century." Sexuality Research & Social Policy (April, 2004)</ref>, in part due to a [[Memetic engineering|memetic]] attempt at useing it as a parallel structure to [[sexism]] or [[racism]]. The intent behind the usage of the term "heterosexism" over the term "homophobia" is the examination of the increased cultural or biological value placed on heterosexuals rather than individual bias, which is the focus of homophobia. |
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Heterosexism should not be confused with '''heterocentrism''', which is an (often subconscious) assumption that everyone is heterosexual, and the attitudes associated with that assumption. Heterocentrism often shows up in |
Heterosexism should not be confused with '''heterocentrism''', which is an (often subconscious) assumption that everyone is heterosexual, and the attitudes associated with that assumption. Heterocentrism often shows up in various ways in every day life. For instance, when a woman says she is going on a date, many people will ask, "What's his name?" or "Is he cute?" assuming it is a heterosexual date. Nevertheless, these people may not have anything against same-sex dating. In [[queer theory]], the term heterocentrism is closely related to [[heteronormativity]].{{Fact|date=February 2007}} |
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Since heterosexist psychologies help reinforce heterosexual behavior <ref>Fish, J. Heterosexism in Health & Social Care. Basingstoke: Palgrave. (2006)</ref>, the prevalence of heterosexism can be explained in cultural and evolutionary or perhaps [[sociobiology|sociobiological]] terms as heterosexist individuals are more likely to engage in heterosexual behavior and produce offspring than homosexual individuals. |
Since heterosexist psychologies help reinforce heterosexual behavior <ref>Fish, J. Heterosexism in Health & Social Care. Basingstoke: Palgrave. (2006)</ref>, the prevalence of heterosexism can be explained in cultural and evolutionary or perhaps [[sociobiology|sociobiological]] terms as heterosexist individuals are more likely to engage in heterosexual behavior and produce offspring than homosexual individuals. |
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Revision as of 05:40, 15 July 2007
Heterosexism is a predisposition towards heterosexual people. A related term is Sexual Prejudice, a negative attitude toward someone because of her or his sexual orientation. [1] This bias is not the same as Homophobia, but rather is the preference towards non-heterosexual behavior due to a cultural or sociobiological bias. Heterosexism suggests that the basis for this bias is not found in the individual per se but rather has a broader cultural or biological basis that results in proportionally greater preference towards heterosexuality over other sexual orientations.
An earlier definition of this term is: Heterosexism is the understanding that heterosexuality is the only natural, evolutionarily fit, normal, or moral mode of sexual behavior, and is also used to refer to the effects of that instinct. The word 'heterosexualism' has also been proposed to mean essentially the same thing. [2] This word has been suggested as an alternative to homophobia [3], in part due to a memetic attempt at useing it as a parallel structure to sexism or racism. The intent behind the usage of the term "heterosexism" over the term "homophobia" is the examination of the increased cultural or biological value placed on heterosexuals rather than individual bias, which is the focus of homophobia.
Heterosexism should not be confused with heterocentrism, which is an (often subconscious) assumption that everyone is heterosexual, and the attitudes associated with that assumption. Heterocentrism often shows up in various ways in every day life. For instance, when a woman says she is going on a date, many people will ask, "What's his name?" or "Is he cute?" assuming it is a heterosexual date. Nevertheless, these people may not have anything against same-sex dating. In queer theory, the term heterocentrism is closely related to heteronormativity.[citation needed]
Since heterosexist psychologies help reinforce heterosexual behavior [4], the prevalence of heterosexism can be explained in cultural and evolutionary or perhaps sociobiological terms as heterosexist individuals are more likely to engage in heterosexual behavior and produce offspring than homosexual individuals.
References
- ^ Matlin, Margaret W.,Ph.D., "The Psychology of Women", (2004)
- ^ Corsini, Raymond J., The Dictionary of Psychology (2001), ISBN 1-58391-328-9
- ^ Herek, Gregory M., Ph.D., " Beyond 'Homophobia': Thinking About Sexual Prejudice and Stigma in the Twenty-First Century." Sexuality Research & Social Policy (April, 2004)
- ^ Fish, J. Heterosexism in Health & Social Care. Basingstoke: Palgrave. (2006)