The concept of respectability refers to an individual's ability to adhere to socially accepted norms of behavior and appearance, often associated with middle-class values and expectations. In recent years, this has become more relevant than ever before due to the increasing visibility of LGBTQ+ identities within mainstream culture. Narratives of respectability are particularly prevalent among transgender individuals who have been historically excluded from society and marginalized by their gender expression.
These narratives can also serve to discipline individuals into social acceptance, leading them to conform to rigid ideas about how they should act, dress, and present themselves.
One way that moral narratives of respectability can serve to discipline marginalized identities is through the policing of language used to describe oneself.
The term "cisgender" was initially coined as a term to refer to people whose gender identity matches their assigned sex at birth.
Many cisgender people now use it as a derogatory label against trans individuals, implying that trans people are inherently deviant or abnormal. This creates a double bind for trans individuals - if they choose to use the word cisgender in describing themselves, they risk being labeled as "trash," but if they refuse to do so, they may be seen as defying societal norms.
Another way that narratives of respectability police gender presentation is through the expectation that trans individuals must undergo medical interventions such as hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or surgical procedures to be considered truly authentic. These procedures are often expensive, invasive, and potentially dangerous, and yet are widely promoted as necessary for trans people to live authentically. Trans individuals who choose not to pursue such treatments may face stigma and discrimination, even from within their own communities.
Moral narratives of respectability can be used to police sexual behavior. LGBTQ+ individuals are often told that they should only engage in certain types of sexual activity, such as penetrative vaginal sex, in order to be considered normal or acceptable. This can lead to shame and guilt among queer individuals who prefer other forms of intimacy, creating a barrier to healthy relationships and communication.
Moral narratives of respectability serve to discipline marginalized identities into social acceptance by policing language, gender expression, and sexuality. By reinforcing these rigid ideas about what constitutes "acceptable" behavior, they perpetuate harmful stereotypes and exclude those who do not conform. It is important for us to challenge these narratives and create spaces where all individuals can express themselves freely without fear of judgment or exclusion.
How do moral narratives of respectability serve to discipline marginalized identities into social acceptance?
Moral narratives of respectability are stories that promote behavioral norms and expectations for individuals to earn respect from society based on their actions, behaviors, and beliefs. These narratives can be used as a tool to discipline marginalized identities into social acceptance by reinforcing cultural values and hierarchies.