Sexuality Course Reflection

Course Reflection

Even as sociology major, it still astonishes me to think on how much sociological factors impact our daily lives. Prior to this course anatomy and biology were the central terms that came to mind when discussing the topic of human sexuality. However, now I have a much broader view of sexuality and can now relate it to sociology in ways I never thought possible. It seems that sociology has as much an impact on sexuality, as biology does.

Weeks 9 and 10 of the course were perhaps the most intriguing; we explored the constructs of hookup culture, relationships, and pornography. These are the topics that I felt were most relevant to what many of my peers and I are encountering at this point in our lives. In addition, these are topics that are still rarely discussed on a broader spectrum since they are fairly new concepts in our society. It’s difficult to imagine that when our grandparents were coming of age they experienced sexuality totally different

Personally I found it the most thought provoking article in the course. Having a younger sister who identifies as gay, I have occasionally wondered such questions about her sexuality, such as “what made you this way?” Family members and sometimes even complete strangers, frequently ask my sister questions such as the one’s Rochlin was challenging us to contemplate. From this questionnaire I realize how completely absurd, awkward, and downright rude it is to force someone to defend or explain their sexual identity. Identifying as heterosexual, my sexual identity is not stigmatized by society or seen illegitimate. Nonetheless, others should be allowed these same rights, after all our sexuality is only one small part of what makes us who we are. I now am able to monitor myself against using heteronormative standards. Privilege and power in sexuality is a topic that I would have enjoyed spending more time