People in the society are expected to conform to certain issues as they assume their daily activities. One is expected to observe these expectations regardless of whether some aspects are appropriate or not. Such issues include heterosexuality and heteronormativity. Heteronormativity constitutes the norms that control how people function and behave in the society as gendered and sexual beings. Heterosexuality is basically the natural obligations or inclinations by both male and female. Compulsory heterosexuality is, therefore, the idea that an individual’s sexuality is forced through the society, rather than being chosen. Notably, heteronormativity comprises orientations, constructions, and institutions, which make heterosexuality both privileged and rational. Germov and Poole observe that people who assume another form of sexual orientation outside the dominant norm in the society are considered as deviants (10). This comes about because some norms favor some people and at the same time oppress others. The culmination of this aspect is rebellion, as the oppressed try to resist these norms. Therefore, compulsory heterosexuality and heteronormativity institutions that are enforced by the society in an attempt to portray people as underlings and their resistance to this structure have both positive and negative effects.
Film Context
A classical illustration of how people resist compulsory heterosexuality and heteronormativity is portrayed in the San Junipero, the fourth episode of Black Mirror series’ season three. In this episode, heterosexuality is challenged where lesbianism is portrayed as something normal and that the society has embraced it. A shy young girl, Yorkie, visits a beach resort and encounters Kelly. The two get acquainted very fast. While Yorkie’s approach to life is quite conservative, Kelly takes advantage of every chance, that comes her way, to have fun and enjoy life. Yorkie is tickled by Kelly’s bisexual way of life. In the beginning, she resists Kelly’s seduction, but later on, she accepts to sleep with her. San Junipero represents Yorkie as an independent lady who believes in her own way of enjoying life. For example, she tends to sleep around with both women and men (Timpane " McBee 1047).
Evidently, this aspect is contrary to compulsory heterosexuality concepts because the society anticipates such demeanors from men and not women. Flood notes that women who embrace such conducts are regarded as “sluts” (97). The expectation of the society is that people of the same gender should not fall in love, rather a man should love a woman. However, in this episode, the concept of compulsory heterosexuality is challenged because Yorkie and Kelly fall in love with each other. The episode shows some kinds of resistance against compulsory heterosexuality that disturb the supremacy of heteronormative discourse. It gives people the understanding that they have the freedom to choose their sexual preference and live happily as long as they do not trespass on other people’s rights.
People who go against dominant norms have a likelihood of facing negative consequences. Although compulsory heteronormativity and heterosexuality norms should be resisted to some extent, people should not take advantage of this to advance personal sexual preferences that are contrary to the default sexual orientation. According to Jackson, compulsory heterosexuality is founded on the patriarchal structure, which dictates that men should assume moral authority, social privilege, and predominate roles (199). The implication of this is that compulsory heterosexuality is a social institution that is used by the society to define women as dependents. This norm specifies the aspects that are right or wrong and denies people the freedom of exercising their personal sexual inclinations. Since an individual’s sexual preference may not have a negative impact on other people in the society, people should be allowed to discover the sexual preferences that will make them happy. However, the dominant sexual orientation has a tendency of reinforcing social disparity in the society. This is because compulsory heterosexuality favors some people and oppresses others. Undoubtedly, men are the beneficiaries of institutionalized norms while women are disadvantaged by such institutionalization (Martinsson and Eva 34)
The Intersection of Social Identities
Usually, the concept of compulsory heterosexuality overlaps with certain social identities related to discrimination, oppression or domination. Heterosexuality and multiple gender identities intersect in various ways to form a complete system (Jackson 106). As such, the overlapping between compulsory heterosexuality with identities such as sexual orientation, gender, race, and social class functions consistently to bring about social inequalities in the society. Similarly, racism, classism, sexism, transphobia, and other forms of oppression have a tendency of interconnecting and create a system of oppression that reflects discrimination in various forms (Martinsson and Eva 34). Thus, the normal social discourses do not address the aspects of intersectionality because they have an inclination to domination, oppression, and discrimination. Although the set laws and policies deal with some marginalized identities, they do not address the aspect of intersection that is evident in diverse oppressed identities. Napikoski maintains that perpetual oppression and discrimination results from the overlooking of intersectional identities (1). Indeed, an individual’s identities and privileges should be scrutinized simultaneously because they are interconnected. Thus, intersectionality can help to explain the subversive aspect of compulsory heterosexuality.
Consequences of Resisting Normative Constructions
There are various consequences of resisting the norms of compulsory heterosexuality and heteronormativity. One of these effects is the emergence of conflict between people who resist default norms and those that uphold them. Generally, individuals who oppose heterosexuality maintain that people should have the freedom to choose and exercise the sexual orientation that befits their preferences. This implies that these individuals would have the liberty to embrace homosexuality and lesbianism in the society. In return, those that are inclined to compulsory heterosexuality would be expected to resist such concepts. As noted by Provenzo, a division will arise in families because people who choose sexual preferences that are contrary to the set norms will be disowned and discriminated.
Moreover, many people will be relieved from discrimination and oppression when the norms of compulsory heterosexuality are challenged. Most people that choose to follow the preferences that are against social expectations do so secretly. This results in a sense of oppression and discrimination because of being denied the liberty to practice their sexual preferences. In situations where normative constructions are challenged, these people will be liberated from oppression that is occasioned by the adoption of sexual preferences that go against the social expectations.
In conclusion, compulsory heterosexuality and heteronormativity are founded on the patriarchal structure, which gives men the primary power to assume moral authority, social privilege, and predominate roles. As such, some people maintain that the normative constructions in the society are more of an institution that elevates men and on the other hand presents women as subordinates. When compulsory heterosexuality and heteronormativity are challenges, it is likely that division will arise because a majority of people in the community view it differently. While resistance may bring liberty, it may as well lead families and the society to disown those that go against the default norms.
Works Cited
Flood, Michael. "Male and female sluts: Shifts and stabilities in the regulation of sexual relations among young heterosexual men." Australian Feminist Studies 28.75 (2013): 95-107.
Germov, John, and Marilyn Poole. Public sociology: An introduction to Australian society. Allen " Unwin, 2011.
Jackson, Peter. "The cultural politics of masculinity: towards a social geography." Transactions of the Institute of British Geographers (1991): 199-213.
Jackson, Stevi. "Interchanges: Gender, sexuality and heterosexuality: The complexity (and limits) of heteronormativity." Feminist theory 7.1 (2006): 105-121.
Martinsson, Lena, and Eva Reimers. Norm-Struggles: Sexualities In Contentions. 1st ed., Newcastle, Cambridge Scholars, 2010
Napikoski, Linda. “Feminists Question Compulsory Heterosexuality.” ThoughtCo, ThoughtCo, www.thoughtco.com/compulsory-heterosexuality-overview-3528951.
Provenzo, Eugene F. Encyclopedia Of The Social And Cultural Foundations Of Education. Thousand Oaks, Sage, 2008.
Timpane, Sean F., and Julia McBee. "“San Junipero,” Black Mirror Season 3, Episode 4." Journal of palliative medicine20.9 (2017): 1045-1045.
