Gender is an essential attribute that defines human beings into male and female.
There are several ways to express one's gender, which include one's identity, roles, and appearance. Political expectations have influenced how people perceive gender and which types of bodies, identities, or erotic behaviors are accepted or rejected in the societal context.
Men are expected to behave like leaders who can make decisions independently without consulting others while women are regarded as homemakers who take care of their family members, including children and spouses. Moreover, these political expectations lead to different treatment for males and females when it comes to accessing resources such as opportunities for education, healthcare services, employment, and wealth accumulation. In this context, males enjoy more privileges than women because they occupy leadership positions in the society, thereby influencing socio-economic development in all areas. The essay discusses how gendered political expectations influence which bodies, identities, or erotic behaviors are elevated or marginalized within society.
Political expectations have led to the emergence of heteronormative relationships between a man and woman, whereby men assume masculine characteristics and women embody femininity. It is common for individuals from both genders to conform to certain gender stereotypes due to societal pressures that dictate appropriate behavior for either sex. As such, women are discouraged from engaging in activities seen as reserved for men and vice versa. This leads to exclusion or marginalization of some bodies, identities, and erotic behaviors in the society since not everyone fits into the expected roles.
There are cases of transgender people who express their true identity regardless of their biological sex. Some transgenders identify themselves as male, female, or non-binary; however, they face challenges when interacting with other individuals in their daily lives. In addition, many countries do not recognize them legally, rendering them invisible in terms of civil rights and access to public facilities such as hospitals and schools. Therefore, these individuals experience unequal treatment compared to cisgender individuals who fit into their respective gender categories.
Gendered political expectations also influence which bodies and erotic behaviors are accepted or rejected by society. Individuals are expected to maintain specific appearances based on their gender category. Females are supposed to be slim, beautiful, hairless, and fashionable while males should exhibit muscularity, body hair, and macho features. There are some cases where the body type of one person differs from those of others leading to rejection.
Females with a masculine appearance may struggle to find suitable partners because men prefer feminine features while women are attracted to male-like characters. Also, women who have excessive facial hair or an enlarged clitoris can suffer stigmatization due to failure to meet the social norms of being 'feminine.' The same applies to males who exhibit effeminate characteristics like shaved heads, long nails, soft voice, and small stature. As a result, most people feel excluded in the dating scene if they fail to meet the societal standard for beauty or physical appearance. On the other hand, there are instances where people engage in risky sexual behavior that is seen as taboo by mainstream society. These include promiscuity, premarital sex, homosexuality, prostitution, and BDSM. People who participate in such activities experience discrimination since they do not conform to the acceptable standards of romantic relationships.
The role of politics in defining gender roles has led to different perceptions of eroticism in the society. Political expectations define what is permissible or forbidden when it comes to intimate behavior between individuals. Women are expected to be submissive during intercourse whereas men should assume a dominant role. It also affects how people relate physically with others based on their sexual orientation.
Heterosexual couples enjoy more opportunities for romance compared to homosexuals who live in areas where same-sex marriage is prohibited. In addition, some individuals may find themselves marginalized because of their fetishes that are deemed abnormal. There are cases where people have preferences for unusual behaviors such as urination or defecation in public. This can lead to rejection and alienation from the rest of society due to the belief that these practices are unacceptable. Some cultures view them as sinful acts, which means they will never gain acceptance unless they change their sexual orientation.
Some countries have adopted liberal policies that allow people to embrace their true selves regardless of their lifestyle choices.
Gendered political expectations influence various aspects of social life by dictating which bodies, identities, or erotic behaviors are acceptable or unacceptable within the community. While there are efforts towards achieving equality between genders, it is still an uphill task since people continue to hold onto traditional views that promote inequality. The discrimination experienced by transgender individuals, those with atypical appearances, and people with peculiar sexual desires needs to be addressed through affirmative action programs that encourage inclusion and tolerance.
How do gendered political expectations influence which bodies, identities, or erotic behaviors are elevated or marginalized within society?
Gendered political expectations refer to social norms that dictate how people should behave based on their assigned gender at birth. These expectations can have significant impacts on the way certain bodies, identities, or erotic behaviors are perceived and treated by individuals and groups within society.