Homosexuality as a Master Status - 3194 Words

Homosexuality as a Master Status What defines a person? Is it something physically and biologically determined? Or is it behavioral and psychological? Perhaps it could be both. In most circumstances, people do not get to choose which of these characteristics define them. People judge other people—that is just part of human nature. Sometimes a person can have one trait or characteristic that tends to overshadow all else. Sociologists have come up with a name for this social phenomenon; it is master status. In order to describe how this works, status must first be defined as the position or role a person occupies in a group (Neubeck, Glasberg 2005: G-10). Then master status can be understood as the one status, among several that each†¦show more content†¦The only control that homosexuals have over this label is whether or not they choose to accept it. One way that homosexuals have found to fight this label is by putting emphasis on the fact that being different is not t he same as being inferior (Neubeck 2005:267). A highly debated issue concerning homosexuality is whether sexual-orientation is biologically determined or if it is a socially learned behavior. One case study done about this topic gathered that â€Å"the homosexual desire seems in most cases to be implanted in those who develop an unusually strong attachment for one parent† (Cory 1951:67). This seems to suggest that homosexuality can be influenced by family structure or other sociological elements. On the other side of this argument, there is the belief that people are born either gay or straight. Even though there is no scientific or genetic evidence to prove this, there have been many studies done and most homosexuals interviewed take this view-point. McIntosh states, â€Å"[homosexuality] is still commonly seen as a condition characterizing certain persons in the way that birthplace or deformity might characterize them† (1968:182). To support their cause and to fight for acceptance in society, it would be benefici al to convince people that sexual orientation is biologically determined. â€Å"Research indicates that people who believe that homosexuality is a choice are more likely to condemn it than are those who believe gays and lesbians are born that way†Show MoreRelatedThe Ass, The Witch, And The Roman Empire1232 Words   |  5 Pagesrelationship with Photis, a slave girl he encounters, and his relationship with her is built purely on his own needs. Because of his status as a well-to-do male he is held at higher standards and so he uses these standards and status to fulfill his own agenda. He exclusively use her body for either his sexual desires or uses her for her close relationship to Pamphile, her master and a witch, to further please his fanaticism with supernatural forces. He lusts over her body while watching her prepare dinnerRead MoreSexuality Is Defined By Sexual Orientation1538 Words   |  7 Pagessexuality were deemed necessary to improve a man’s masculinity st atus. In many of the cultures studied, men were expected to learn about sex extensively, to perform their role as a husband once married, as well as possible, done by engaging in sexual activities with younger men. However, once married, a man would no longer need to gain such masculinity through such methods, establishing them as inappropriate only after marital status was gained. 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When it comes to making decisions based on status, such as race, income, age, gender, I think there are some morally acceptable and immoral areas. To me, it would obviously be considered immoral to differentiate the services and privilegesRead MoreThe Persecution of Same-Sex Sexual Orientation during the Holocaust2464 Words   |  10 Pagespersecution of Homosexuals in Nazi Germany, as well as other factors that could change Hitler’s tolerance towards the party and society. This will be achieved by exploring a number of papers concerning the promulgation of sexuality, the dogmatism of homosexuality, and primary sources from victims of the persecution to determine and analyze the overall impact of the article’s revision on the campaign attacks against homosexuals. Although important in considering the intensified persecution of homosexualsRead MoreThe Broad World Of American Theatre1691 Words   |  7 Pagesof her made me mad – made me desperate† (Fuller 98). Clearly, the LGBTQ theme of At Saint Judas’s is evident throughout Fuller’s controversial and avant-garde play. However, gay theatre at the time was still greatly limited due to the taboo of homosexuality during the era. Because of this pervasive intolerance in society, the next twenty years for LGBTQ theatre remained particularly quiet. As the 1920s quickly approached, the blossoms of gay theatre began to bloom considerably. The rise of BroadwayRead MoreSocial Constructs And Its Effect On Society3459 Words   |  14 Pagessocial statuses can also prove very effective. The degradation of one person’s social status can also benefit the other. Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, a philosopher, proposed the theory of master/slave dialectic, stating that the master status depends on the slave status and that the slave is more free than the master. The only way the master has any sort of power and control is by exploiting the slave. The master has a lot of responsibilities to adhere to, and has to conform to the norms that are