Origins and Concepts of Normative and Non-Normative Sexual Expression (Term Paper Sample)

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Origins and Concepts of Normative and Non-Normative Sexual Expression
Sexuality is one of the most intimate and sacred features of human beings. Matters concerning sexuality is guarded and held closely secretive to the point where even partners do not disclose all their sexual secrets (Jackson 106). They do not share all their sexual experiences, dreams and desires together and surprisingly; this happens even in the long term relationships. It is surprising that people at times fail to admit their sexual longing or certain sexual arousal and demands due to the sacredness that involves it. It is deemed inappropriate and strange. Jackson (107) adds that the changes occurring in public discourse, education, technology and improved information systems have, however, changed how people express themselves sexually. In the past, women found it hard to express their sexual feelings, and they could not acknowledge that sex is what they needed. A society of different sexual orientations has also emerged. The purpose of this paper is, therefore, to discuss the origins and the concepts of normative and non-normative sexual expressions such as socialization, media, the laws and human sexual anatomy.
People learn from their societies how to express their sexuality. Sexual expression, as such, is part of the socialization process allows people learn and acquire normative sexual expressions. Brown, (3) explains that it is a life-long process of dissemination and inheritance of ideologies, customs, and norms providing one with habits and skills vital for participation in the society. Socialization, therefore, is the origin of both normative and non-normative sexual expression expressions. It is the process where the inculcation and disseminated of norms, customs, and behavior deemed by the community as valued or as deviant. The normative expressions refer to the valued expressions while the non-normative sexual expressions are the deviant sexual expressions and behaviors. In most parts of the world such as the United States, heteronormativity is practiced, and heterosexual expressions are considered normal, and homosexuality (non-normative) as deviant and abnormal (Brown 4). There is an enormous variation in the expression of sexuality across historical times and cultures. Parrenas (26), says that the migration of people from one country to the other has created a society with various beliefs and cultures establishing a society without universal sexual norms. It, therefore, means that a person acquires sexual norms through their specific culture and historical beliefs through socialization.
In the contemporary society, especially in the western societies, evaluation of sexuality is based on the heterosexuality continuum and homosexuality where heterosexuality is privileged as a form of sexual expression. In the ancient Greece for instance, sexuality was only heterosexual, and the basis of distinction on was based on if the subjects were active or passive. In the modern society, normative sexual expressions are learned since childhood as children play role games. They are socialized as men and women and learn how to express their sexuality (Jackson 114). On the other hand, homosexuality is based on the concept of lesbianism and gay practices. Lesbianism is where women seek sexual satisfaction from other women while men seek the same from other men. It is believed to have originated from the freedom of sexual expression and liberation of both men and women. For instance, the removal of women clitoridectomy practices by the law promoted lesbianism. Kolmar & Bartkowski (188) asserts that it is made possible by clitoral orgasm where women believe that women would understand how to stimulate them sexually than men. It, therefore, leaves men with no option than to seek sexual satisfaction from other men. This has threatened heterosexuality as it has become an option and not a compulsory form of sexual satisfaction.
Other origins of normative and non-normative sexual expression are the media and the laws. The laws provide norms and codes of conduct among the people. The interaction of the homosexuality and sexual acts with its illegality and legality have provided an opportunity for the normative and non-normative sexual expressions to thrive (Jackson 119). The legalizing laws promote and protect homosexuality. Media, on the other, breeds the homosexual and heterosexual practices among the people. It is the channel of normative sexual discourses where people replicate the sexual expressions they see in movies and other programs (Brown 1). However, the media also supports homosexuality since, through its programs, lesbianism and gay practices are portrayed and praised. Pornography, through media, also acts as a way where people learn normative and non-normative sexual expressions (Jackson 120-21). People learn heterosexual and homosexual practices by watching pornography depending on the type one prefers.
Another concept that clearly explains the origin and concept of normative and non-normative sexual behavior is conventional sex and the peoples’ role in it. Men, for instance, attain orgasm through the friction between the penis and the vaginal walls which vividly supports heterosexuality. However, the problem comes with the fact that woman’s orgasm takes place through the stimulation of the clit...