Sexual Orientation

Definition

Sexual orientation refers to a person's emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attraction to individuals of a particular gender. It is a core part of one's identity and encompasses a spectrum of identities beyond the binary of heterosexual and homosexual.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Sexual orientation is distinct from gender identity, which refers to a person's internal sense of being male, female, or another gender.
2. Sexual orientation exists on a spectrum and can be fluid, with some individuals identifying as pansexual, asexual, or questioning their orientation.
3. Heteronormativity, the assumption that heterosexuality is the default or preferred sexual orientation, has been challenged by queer theory and anthropological research.
4. The social and cultural construction of sexuality varies across different societies and historical periods, as evidenced by the diversity of sexual and gender identities globally.
5. Anthropological studies have documented the acceptance and integration of non-heteronormative sexualities and gender expressions in certain cultures, challenging Western notions of sexuality.

Review Questions

• Explain how the concept of sexual orientation is understood and expressed in different cultural contexts, as explored in the field of queer anthropology.
  • Queer anthropology examines how the social and cultural construction of sexuality varies across different societies and historical periods. Anthropological research has documented the acceptance and integration of non-heteronormative sexualities and gender expressions in certain cultures, challenging the Western notion of a rigid, binary understanding of sexual orientation. For example, some cultures have recognized a third gender or a spectrum of gender identities beyond the male-female binary, which is often accompanied by a more fluid and diverse understanding of sexual orientation.
• Describe how the concept of heteronormativity has been challenged by queer theory and anthropological research on sexuality.
  • Heteronormativity, the assumption that heterosexuality is the default or preferred sexual orientation, has been a dominant framework in Western societies. However, queer theory and anthropological research have challenged this notion by highlighting the diversity of sexual and gender identities across cultures. Anthropologists have documented the acceptance and integration of non-heteronormative sexualities in certain societies, demonstrating that the Western understanding of sexuality is not universal. This research has contributed to a more nuanced and inclusive understanding of sexual orientation, moving beyond the heterosexual-homosexual binary.
• Analyze how the study of sexuality and sexual orientation within the field of queer anthropology has contributed to a broader understanding of human diversity and the social construction of identity.
  • Queer anthropology's exploration of sexual orientation and sexuality has significantly expanded our understanding of human diversity and the social construction of identity. By documenting the diverse ways in which different cultures conceptualize and express sexuality, queer anthropology has challenged the universality of Western notions of sexual orientation. This research has highlighted how sexual and gender identities are shaped by social, cultural, and historical contexts, rather than being innate or biologically determined. Furthermore, queer anthropology's emphasis on challenging heteronormativity and exploring the fluidity of sexuality has contributed to a more inclusive and nuanced understanding of human identity, moving beyond rigid binary classifications.

Related terms

Heterosexuality: A sexual orientation in which a person is emotionally, romantically, and/or sexually attracted to individuals of a different gender.

Homosexuality: A sexual orientation in which a person is emotionally, romantically, and/or sexually attracted to individuals of the same gender.

Bisexuality: A sexual orientation in which a person is emotionally, romantically, and/or sexually attracted to individuals of their own gender and individuals of other genders.