Bisexuality is defined as an attraction to more than one gender or sex. It can involve both physical and emotional attractions to multiple genders or sexes.
Culture often constructs gender and sexuality in binary terms, such as male/female, masculine/feminine, gay/straight, or man/woman. This binary construction creates strict rules for what is acceptable behavior and expression of desire. Bisexual individuals may face pressure to conform to societal expectations of gender and sexuality, which can lead them to internalize cultural scripts about desire and gender. In this article, we will explore how bisexual individuals may internalize or resist these cultural scripts.
One way that bisexual individuals may internalize cultural scripts about desire and gender is through self-labeling. Some people who identify as bisexual may feel pressured to justify their identity, especially if they experience prejudice from others. They may label themselves "bi-curious" or "bisexual until proven straight" to avoid being seen as promiscuous or unstable. These labels reinforce the idea that bisexuality is temporary or experimental, rather than a stable identity.
Some bisexuals may be told by partners or family members that they are actually just experiencing confusion or experimentation, or that they should choose either heterosexuality or homosexuality instead of continuing to date multiple genders. Internalizing these messages can make it difficult for bisexuals to embrace their own desires and identities.
Another way that bisexual individuals may internalize cultural scripts is through dating patterns. Culture often views bisexuals as promiscuous and uncommitted, leading bisexual individuals to feel like they need to prove themselves in relationships. They may engage in serial monogamy or polyamory, but still fear being seen as commitment-phobic. This can lead to feelings of shame and guilt, as well as difficulties forming stable, long-term connections. Bisexuals may also face pressure to date within their identified gender (for example, a woman dating only women) in order to conform to societal expectations. This can limit their opportunities for intimacy and create additional challenges when trying to navigate romantic relationships.
Despite these pressures, many bisexual individuals resist cultural scripts about desire and gender. Some reject traditional gender roles and expectations, such as presenting as nonbinary or transgender. Others challenge binary understandings of sexuality by engaging in open relationships, group sex, or polyamory. Still others refuse to label their attractions at all, preferring to simply live their lives without worrying about how others perceive them. By refusing to be limited by society's narrow understanding of gender and sexuality, bisexuals can reclaim agency over their desires and identities.
Bisexual individuals may experience pressure to internalize cultural scripts about desire and gender, which can lead to self-doubt, shame, and relationship issues.
Many choose to resist these scripts by living authentically, embracing diverse expressions of desire, and advocating for wider acceptance of bisexuality and other non-monosexual identities.
In what ways do bisexual individuals internalize or resist cultural scripts about desire and gender?
Bisexual individuals may face unique challenges when it comes to navigating society's expectations regarding sexuality and gender identity. On one hand, they are often seen as "confused" or "undecided" by heteronormative culture, which assumes that people are either exclusively attracted to members of the opposite sex or not at all.