The social construction of heterosexuality

Abstract

Following a long tradition of social constructionist work on homosexuality, a social constructionist approach is starting to be used in the analysis of heterosexuality. This paper identifies some of the key issues raised by this work, focusing, in particular, on the coercive nature of heterosexuality; heterosexual self‐identification; and the relationship between heterosexual sexual behaviour and sexual identity. It also examines the political and theoretical importance of a sustained analysis of the functions and utility of heterosexuality, particularly as the normative context within which ‘deviant’ and ‘alternative’ sexualities continue to be constructed.

Keywords:

• heterosexuality
• social construction
• feminism
• lesbianism
• homosexuality
• sexual identity