Social Constructionist Perspective

Definition

The social constructionist perspective is a theoretical approach that views social phenomena, such as sexuality, as constructed through social and cultural processes rather than as innate or biologically determined. It emphasizes how our understanding and experience of sexuality are shaped by the social, historical, and cultural contexts in which we live.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The social constructionist perspective challenges the idea that sexuality is a fixed, innate, and biologically determined characteristic, and instead views it as a socially and culturally constructed phenomenon.
2. This perspective examines how social institutions, such as the family, religion, and education, shape and regulate our understanding and expression of sexuality.
3. The social constructionist perspective highlights how heteronormativity, the assumption that heterosexuality is the default and normal form of sexuality, is a socially constructed and maintained norm.
4. It also explores how hegemonic masculinity, the dominant and culturally idealized form of masculinity, can influence and constrain the expression of sexuality.
5. The social constructionist perspective emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical and cultural context in which sexuality is understood and experienced.

Review Questions

• Explain how the social constructionist perspective views the concept of sexuality.
  • The social constructionist perspective views sexuality as a socially and culturally constructed phenomenon, rather than as a fixed, innate, or biologically determined characteristic. This perspective examines how social institutions, such as the family, religion, and education, shape and regulate our understanding and expression of sexuality. It challenges the idea of a universal or natural sexuality, and instead emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical and cultural context in which sexuality is understood and experienced.
• Describe how the social constructionist perspective relates to the concept of heteronormativity.
  • The social constructionist perspective highlights how heteronormativity, the assumption that heterosexuality is the default and normal form of sexuality, is a socially constructed and maintained norm. It examines how this norm is reinforced through various social institutions and cultural practices, and how it can marginalize and constrain the expression of other forms of sexuality. The social constructionist perspective encourages a critical examination of the social and cultural processes that contribute to the dominance of heteronormativity and its impact on individuals and communities.
• Analyze how the social constructionist perspective can be used to understand the relationship between sexuality and hegemonic masculinity.
  • The social constructionist perspective can be used to understand how hegemonic masculinity, the dominant and culturally idealized form of masculinity, can influence and constrain the expression of sexuality. This perspective examines how social and cultural norms around masculinity and sexuality are mutually reinforcing, and how they can create expectations and limitations for individuals in terms of their sexual identity and expression. By critically analyzing the social and cultural processes that shape these norms, the social constructionist perspective can provide insights into the complex interplay between sexuality, gender, and power dynamics within a given social and cultural context.

Related terms

Social Construction: The process by which social phenomena, including knowledge, identities, and norms, are created, maintained, and transformed through social interactions and cultural practices.

Heteronormativity:

The assumption that heterosexuality is the default, natural, and normal form of sexuality, and that all other forms of sexuality are abnormal or deviant.

Hegemonic Masculinity: The dominant form of masculinity that is culturally idealized and reinforced, often at the expense of other masculinities and femininities.