Soci 607 Essay One 1-23-08 Introducing and Exploring Sexuality While all of the articles are intertwined, each--aside from the introduction by Seidman--focuses on a specific area of sexuality about which it provides much detail and support. Just as each reading complemented the others, so does each component of sexuality complement the others in enriching its study and understanding. Whereas categories like race are more concretely definable and allow for easier study of their effects on other aspects of life, the phenomenon of sexuality itself need be more deeply studied before attempting to explain its influence on other areas of life. Moreover, the study of other aspects of life with regard to sexuality functions as a study of sexuality attempting to define and categorize its forms. The introduction article by Seidman broadly discusses topics associated with sexuality and provides a framework of understanding for the literature that follows. Seidman states, "sociologists aim to explain human behaviors as social and historical, not natural, occurrences" (Seidman 1). Thus, the commonly-held belief of sexuality as a natural occurrence excludes it from the field of sociology. However, the selection aims to explain why sexuality is in fact valid for sociological study. Simply, Seidman explains, "...the making of sexual selves and codes has been interlaced with the making of the cultural and institutional life of Western societies" (Seidman 3). Seidman decries the absence of sexuality as a contributor to modernization. He provides a solid example with feminism; feminism at the turn of the last century had widespread impacts, yet is primarily studied only in and of itself. Another concept addressed is homosexuality. Sociologists studied homosexuality in terms of "heightened public visibility and politicization" (Seidman 6). Yet, Seidman provides Kinseys idea that sexuality does not have a black and white difference between homosexual and heterosexual, but is more of a gray area, a spectrum on which no one lies completely at one end (Seidman 6). This example supports the need for studying sexuality in itself, not just its effects on other social concepts. "I Cant Even Think Straight" explains Queer Theory and the necessity for a paradigm shift. The beginning of the article discusses how feminism contributed to sociology, but was unable to change the paradigm (Stein 129). This claim can be legitimized simply by looking at basic sociology classes: feminist sociology, if studied at all, is a lone unit and is not pervasive in all aspects of the field. Next addressed is the concept of homosexuality. Even the more influential works have focused on "functions of the homosexual role" rather than the condition of homosexuality (Stein 131). This recurring theme is amply supported in its call for paradigm shift. Further, sexuality is described as "a political interest constituency unlike those of gender and race" (Stein 133). Of course, sexuality is not viewed in this way, which is why a paradigm shift in accordance with queer theory is deemed necessary. "A Queer Encounter" focuses more on the relation between queer theory, sexuality, and sociology. Epstein explains, "queer theory and sociological theory confront one another with some suspicion, and more profoundly with misrecognition" (Epstein 145). This article states an idea to which the previous articles alluded: sexuality is constructed (Epstein 145). The use of the term constructed is important for the consideration of sociology with regards to sexuality. Further supporting this idea, he quotes Gagnon: "in any given society, people become sexual in the same way they become everything else... without much reflection, they pick up directions from their social environment" (Epstein 147). This logical description gives credence to the idea that sexuality is socially constructed. "Capitalism and Gay Identity" describes how capitalism reinforces the status quo of heterosexual couples, marriages, lifestyles. Pre-capitalism, farm life required family units consisting of a woman and a man who each preformed certain tasks. With the shift to capitalism, these gender-separate needs changed. However, the need for a stereotypical family took on new meaning as "an institution that produced not goods but emotional satisfaction and happiness" (DEmilio 103). This need not be the case, as the author suggests the relationship between capitalism and the family is contradictory. Capitalism "continually weakens the material foundation of family life, making it possible for individuals to live outside the family..." however, capitalism requires traditional families in order to "reproduce the next generation of workers" (DEmilio 110). Thus, capitalism is cited as the problem. This claim is justly supported in the explanation of its contradictory nature. "Sex Zones" explains how the acceptance of sexuality in public places can create a divide between public and private life. The necessary action is to seek "increased public legitimacy for their own privacy" rather than increased publicity (Hubbard 65). Since same-sex acts are viewed as unfavorable and even sometimes illegal, it is logical strive for public acceptance of these private acts. Basically, these victimless crimes are seen as public problems, which need not be the case. References DEmilio, John, 1983. "Capitalism and Gay Identity." In Powers of Desire: The Politics of Sexuality. Edited by Ann Snitow, Christine Stansell, and Sharon Thompson. New York: Monthly Review Press. Pp. 100-113. Epstein, Steve. "A Queer Encounter: Sociology and the Study of Sexuality." In Queer Theory/Sociology. Pp. 145-167. Hubbard, Phil. 2001. "Sex Zones: Intimacy, Citizenship and Public Space." Sexualities 4(1): 51-71. Seidman, Steven. "Introduction". In Queer Theory/Sociology. Pp. 1-29. Stein, Arlene and Ken Plummer. "I Cant Even Think Straight: ,,Queer Theory and the Missing Sexual Revolution in Sociology". In Queer Theory/Sociology. Pp. 129144.