Q2 gender sexuality essay plan

1. How have sociologists challenged
the idea that gender and
sexuality are natural?
Essay Plan
By Natasha khan

2. • Introduction: Stated difficult terms to
define, have changed over time. Given Butlers
definition of gender and sexuality- but stated
they have been criticised. More recent studies
have looked at the “naturality” of the terms, it
appears there are not. The essay will look
historically at varying sociological perspectives
including: sex-role theory, periods:
structuarlist/post etc in attempt to display
varying changes in perceptions.

3. Main body of Argument
• Earliest sociological perspective: Sex-Role
Theory, Parsons, linked to naturalness, but also
criticised it.
• Then Introduced ideas of Ann Oakley, feminism.
• 70s one of most significant periods, marked strong
political development, influenced by
Marxism, divisions of labour.
• Nature and biologically a women, on global
scale, Ortner- 3 dimensions: marks Cultural Turn.
• This period: Post- Structuarlist: 1990s onwards
known sex and gender= socially constructed.
• Sexuality not natural: The Queer Theory.

4. Conclusion
• Overall: with regards to sociological
perspectives towards gender and
sexuality, consensus is two not natural. In fact
are socially constructed, shaped by
culture, society and history.
• Although anatomical sex is innate, being
physically one sex may not make you of the
same gender.