Heteronormativity Essay

he Impact of Heteronormativity on the Transgender Community

In society, children are taught expectations as to what is sociably acceptable: who to like, what to wear, and where to live, based on of the environment they grew up in. As children grow up, and go on through life, they then begin to impose these expectations onto the people around them. More often than not these societal expectations conform with that of a heteronormative mindset1. In a modern western context, heteronormativity is the notion that people fall into distinct genders, male and female, and lead natural roles in life all while conforming to the ideology of traditional binary gender roles. Such heteronormative bias asserts that traditional binary gender roles--masculine men and feminine females--and heterosexuality are the most dominant and/or proper lifestyle. This notion creates stigmas and inculcates preconceived notions regarding minority groups, which thereby causes the heteronormative populace to discriminate against them through the creation of a societal hierarchy which places these groups at lower societal tiers.

Although there are many groups that are subject to the injustice of heterosexism, this essay will mainly focus on the adversity faced by the gender nonconforming/transgender community in a modern western context. Binary gender roles purport the concept that there are only two genders, man and woman, in which women must be passive, maternal, with feminine qualities-- soft skin, long hair, petite

1. It is important to note, however, that heteronormativity is relative to the time period and culture which is under analysis, as some cultures have different renditions of gender and gender appropriations; for example the Polynesians and the concept ...

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...t seems quite discouraging and hopeless to the non-conforming individual. However there are many solutions in which break the cycle, or at the least create a more comfortable environment for everyone to live in, such as separation of state and the introduction of gender variance in childhood education. In general,

3. Although it was not previously mentioned, heteronormativity is also inclusive to race, for example a white heterosexual man will be placed above a black heterosexual man. 4. Cisgender refers to one who is not transgender

Daluz 4 theocentric religions such as Christianity and Islam, tend assert same sex marriage and binary gender roles, more often than not people of religious background tend to be oppressive in nature towards these subjects. As such, religious dogma should not take part in the passing or rejecting of laws such as same sex marriage, gender