...The essay is an in depth analysis of a scholarly article as well as a review of a popular media resource on sexuality. The scholarly article reviewed is titled, "Sexual knowledge, attitudes and activity of men conscripted into the military" authored by Jiankang, Chao et al. published in 2010. The study focused on experience, understanding, knowledge as well as attitudes concerning sexual activities of persons recruited in the military. According to Chao, et al, 2010 the research article's major component is knowledge, attitude, values and skills concerning sexuality. It is apparent that the fight against HIV and AIDS calls for the involved parties to adequately have enough knowledge to tackle it. Thus it is of significance to ensure that people are well equipped with the desired knowledge. The article sought after providing evidence that is needed for development of a better sex education program to be used beyond high school, an examination of sexual knowledge, attitude as well as behaviors of young men recruited in the military. Similarly, the research sought to determine if there were differences in socio-demographic characteristics between men who did, or didn't have sexual experience. The research was done by use of both secondary and primary sources of data. The desired data was collected from a group of military members in southern Taiwan between the periods of January and July 2009. The target sample was aged 18-29 years. To aid in data collection...
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...and unmistakably re-repressed" (Davis 3). Supreme Court judgment and actions taken by Congress with the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy exemplify theories of sexuality and power expressed in the philosophies of Michel Foucault. Foucault was a French-born philosopher historian. He examined social institutions such as medicine, psychiatry, the prison system, and the human sciences in general. Specifically he focused on how these institutions relate to power interactions. For a time he was associated with structuralism, which is an intellectual movement in which the culture of humanity is semiotically analyzed. However he distanced himself from the structuralism movement after the 60s. He wrote on a wide array of topics from knowledge to power and discourse. He considered himself "Nietzschean" (Fox 169). In viewing his own system of philosophy this way, he rejected the postmodernist label attributed to him. In fact, he held that his work was in line with the modernity of the philosophies of Kant. In The History of Sexuality Foucault examined the role of sex and gender in power relations. This three volume series was published in 1984. In the first volume, Foucault explores the functioning of sexuality as a way to analyze the relationship between power and the science of sexuality. Foucault's History defined sexuality as "the set of effects produced in bodies, behaviors, and...
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...Outline Name of Topic- Gays in the Military I. Introduction: a. Opening- In American culture there has been many controversial topics being debated. One topic is the ability to be gay and to participate in the military. b. Points you will make- Homosexuals should be able to join the military and engage in it without the criticism of fellow soldiers or working Americans. c. Thesis Statement: In American culture there has been many controversial topics being debated. One topic is the ability to be gay and to participate in the military. II. Body Paragraphs: a. Argument #1- Don’t Ask Don’t Tell works and doesn’t have to change. b. Argument #2- A person should not be criticized for his sexuality because he/she is an American. c. Argument #3- A person should be judged for the way they preform in battle not sexual preferences. d. Argument #4- There are a large number of gay men and women in the military that are being discharged. e. Argument #5- Discharging gays is costing America hundreds of millions of dollars every year which is uncalled for. f. Argument #6- Many polls in America has shown majority of people are for gays in the military. g. Opposition- Gays in the military could be distracting to other soldiers around them. III. Conclusion: a. Wrap up points made- Letting gays in the military keep to themselves about their sexuality would be a wiser move then banning them from the military because of the money saved and a persons...
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...Serving in the military is for many the most honored position they will hold in their lifetime. Many dedicate their entire lives to serving their country. For some soldiers however their dream of proudly serving their country was cut short because they are gay, lesbian or bisexual. America’s attitude towards acceptance of homosexuals has continued to grow over the past couple of decades, but full acceptance and equality is still far off. Nowhere are attitudes towards homosexuality more conservative than in the U.S. military, yet even here attitudes are slowly evolving towards acceptance and equality. Gays and lesbians were banned from serving in the military until 1992 when President Clinton signed into law “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”, which allowed homosexuals to serve as long as they did not discuss their sexuality, and the military could not ask about it. The debate about whether homosexuals should be allowed in the military at all and of whether they should be allowed to be open about their sexual orientation while serving has been ongoing over the last thirty years. Sexuality has no bearing on one’s ability to be a good soldier or on the cohesion of a military unit. Gays and lesbians should be allowed to serve openly in the military, because the policy of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” is harmful to both soldiers and the military. Human sexuality is complicated, yet we live in a society that tries to only see such issues in a black and white fashion. Homosexuals have been...
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...Intersectionality and Stereotypes Social Work 305 The University Dr. Sharon White said, “Intersectionality encompasses how one’s complex mix of identities influence the way an individual participates in, and is affected by society”. After watching the movie, Crash, I found it fairly difficult to analyze just one of the topics discussed in class. In many instances, race, class, gender and sexuality seem to intersect in our daily lives more often than we (as in one individual) may realize. It is important that we pay attention to this as we begin to form our opinions of people and situations. I have found that stereotypes are often the foundation for our beliefs and fears; however, there are always unknown factors that contribute to the formation of these stereotypes. As Crash opens, a black man, Detective Graham Waters, speaks about the nature of Los Angeles and the need for people to crash into each other. “It's the sense of touch. In any real city, you walk, you know? You brush past people, people bump into you. In L.A., nobody touches you. We're always behind this metal and glass. I think we miss that touch so much, that we crash into each other, just so we can feel something” (Crash). This was a great quote for me as I took the word crash as a metaphor for intersectionality. The metal and glass symbolize a shield or façade an individual has up. This shield provides protection and safety but it also prevents the outside from seeing what’s...
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...One such movie was Inside Daisy Clover from 1965. While the character's sexuality remains subtle, the fact that this movie had a queer character that does not die throughout the film during this early of a decade proves important (Hoag). This movie proves important because it shows the increasing inclusion of queers in media. Movies continued to include minor queer characters that sparked controversy, calling for a debate. During a Supreme Court ruling in 1952 ruling that movies had the right of free speech given under the First Amendment, the Hollywood Production Code was weakened, making studios wary on restricting filmmakers. The code was not abandoned until 1968 when the system of rating movies depended on how much "adult" activity was included rather than queer characters inclusion (Hoag). This decision furthered...
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...History of Sexuality There have been conscious efforts and changes done to improve the rights of homosexuals, although much discrimination and prejudices against them are still observed around the world. It is impossible for many, especially those with more traditional mindset and strong religious beliefs, to even contemplate the idea of homosexuality. The choice of leading a homosexual or heterosexual lifestyle lies with the individual and no one else has to right to discriminate their decision. We should however, respect one another regardless of one's sexual orientation and differences just like how we have come to be accepting of people who are of a different race. Hence, homosexuals should not be treated any differently from heterosexuals either. For years, homosexuals have been fighting for equal rights. Discriminations against homosexuals are often openly expressed and unfair treatments between homosexuals and heterosexuals are observed in many countries. In a gay community, it also consists of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered (LGBT). LGBT people often have to face social ostracism as most people have strong religious beliefs that disapprove of homosexuality and they usually have little or no social contact with them. Discrimination and prejudice against homosexuals are seen in places even schools. Most of the time, people, especially the younger generations, use words related to homosexuality as an insult. This way, it creates...
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... over 200 years later, seem to be analyzed, scrutinized, and put to the test daily. In the book “America’s War on Sex,” author Marty Klein does a remarkable job revealing just how America’s Religious Right groups make a mockery out of those five words when it comes to American’s sexuality and their sexual rights. The entire time I was reading this book I found myself constantly shaking my head in disbelief. I couldn’t believe how many of our government’s stands on issues of sexuality are more or less controlled by religious groups who believe every citizen should have to live by their ideas and beliefs on sex. The United States is a free country where everyone is allowed to have their own opinions but in terms of sex and sexuality it seems nowadays that’s only applicable if your opinions are the same as the religious rights. Our government has allowed itself to become backed and influence by religious groups that have their own agenda on sex. The worst part about this is that if someone takes tries to take a stand against it and vote for a change, one of the very basic aspects of democracy, they are seen as sinful sex-crazed perverts since our country has the wool pulled over its eyes on sexuality. Democracy is what our country was built on but what’s the point of it if only one side of an issue is federally funded, receiving tax money that everyone had to pay (except them!), and anyone on the other side is more or less publicly humiliated and unfairly judged just for their...
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...January 14, 2012 Compare and Contrast Throughout the years of the United States Military gays and lesbians has been banned from serving openly. They were not allowed to participate in any type of homosexual activities. This is a direct violation of these individuals’ constitutional rights but it didn’t stop the military. Homosexuals have been around and in the military for as long as the military exists they have served in some of the biggest wars. However they were at war within themselves. Young men and women were living a lie they cannot openly be who they really are and if they were even suspected of having homosexual activities they will be penalized whether it was by their peers or by the chain of command and later separated from the military. Homosexuals did exist but it was so unheard of it was almost like they weren’t there. They lived amongst their fellow comrades ‘in silence feeling trapped not being able to be free. Feeling discriminated against feeling like they are less of a sailor or soldier. Under “The don’t Ask Don’t Tell”(DADT) policy the military was not allowed to ask a recruit about their sexuality, however if there was suspicion of homosexuality they were allowed to investigate. This too was a form of discrimination against theses service members. In 2011 the ban was lifted and it is now legal for gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military. This means that they can openly disclose their sexual orientation with no fear of...
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...Human Sexuality Paper HLS 301V M04 The topic for my research paper is about homosexuals having the same rights as everyone else in the world, including the right to marry, adopt and to partake in the same benefits as heterosexual couples. I am someone who has always believed that everyone should have the same rights no matter what regardless of sexuality. I have had many homosexual friends and I always sympathized with the social stigma that they would have on them, and that was back when I was I guess you could say I was straight back then. So even way before I found myself having to deal with the same dilemmas as my friends I thought that keeping simple rights from people was wrong. I guess you could say I was an advocate in the war against social stigmas, advocating for equal rights for everyone no matter what sexual orientation one is. Homosexuality has been a topic of debate for some time now. There are people that firmly believe that loving or engaging in sex with someone of the same gender is completely wrong, and some of these people base their beliefs on their religious path. Some preach that by doing so the people involved in these acts will go to hell. There are even some individuals out there that form or part of groups that protest homosexuality and same sex relationships. My question to them is simple. What would you do if it was your child? What would you do if it was you who felt like that? Would you want the same rights in your life and in your relationship...
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...and Roman times was Eros, the god of love. The Romans and the Greeks often used the word “Eros” as a way to express a sexual desire. The Romans and Greeks also expressed sexuality through their art, because they loved and admired the human body. Because of the Greek and Romans admiration of the human body is why their statues were usually without clothing. During this Golden age of Greece and Rome sexual desire was not gender specific in any way. Sexuality was not based on who the Greek and Roman men or woman had sex with, but how. Some men and woman desired partners of their own sex, and some did not. In fact most men and women did not care if their lovers were male or female. The importance in finding a lover was to find a partner they could dominate, or to be the hierarchy of the relationship. The passive partner of the relationship was classified as lower status, what this meant was anyone who was penetrated. These lower classes of people were considered to be young boys, women and slaves. Although boys, women and slaves were considered a lower class of people, some men still seemed to be more interested in pursuing young boys, this was a common practice called pederasty. It was made possible for men to meet lovers in different types of all male social settings, such as the military where an older man was supposed to help train a younger boy to become a better soldier. The soldier would that the younger boy under his wing, and they would establish a...
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...treatment. Ironically, those who serve their country are a victim of the most unjust and unequal treatment; most notably the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Policy, (DADT) which was passed to subjugate gay service members. This policy has a long and unclear history but one thing is clear: it has robbed proud homosexual service members of their honor. Its origin, effects, repeal, and the effects of its repeal have illustrated this truth. In March 1778 in Valley Forge, PA the first homosexual case in the military came when a male officer in the Army was dishonorably discharged for having sex with a fellow soldier. This was a violation of the Articles of War, a “precursor to the Uniform Code of Military Justice”. During World War II, proactive investigations proceeded to seek out homosexuals in the military; not too long after in 1957, Navy Captain and chairman of the United States Navy Board of Inquiry S.H. Crittenden released a report with evidence to suggest homosexuality did not pose a risk to military readiness. In 1981 Department of Defense (DOD) Directive 1332.14 clearly outlined that any “homosexual status is grounds for discharge” (Breza, 2007), regardless what the Crittenden report found. Then in 1993, President William J. Clinton passed a law that...
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...believe that the roles of Asian Americans are limited in films, such as gender and sexuality, by stereotyping females. Asian Americans are being portrayed as negative images through various media, from books, films, plays, and even television. “The audience would realize that media views Asians and Asian Americans as others that include exoticized women, asexual men, a yellow peril threat to the United States” (Ono & Pham, 2009). Throughout this essay, I am referencing the article by Fong, Charlie Chan’ No More, and Moon, a poem by Marilyn Chin, where they both talk about sexuality and gender. “Asian women, have often been depicted as almost completely sexual” (Fong, 177). In the short story as well as the poem, they can manipulate the messages of gender and sexuality of Asian American females that are being represented in both stories. Throughout Fong’s short story, there is a lot of controversy whether or not Asian American females are being portrayed with negative images, for example as sex objects. I also researched instances on the counter actions taken by Asian American females that protest the negative images, such as the dragon lady. I believe that Asian American females are being portrayed with such negative images, such as sex symbols in Fong’s short story. In Fong’s short story, I am able to indicate the issues, such as females being portrayed as the sex symbols. “Asian women’s sexuality is based on images of being petite, exotic, and eager to please and serve men”...
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...their hats, while others are paddling the claustrophobic wooden crafts. One guy even pushes a mini iceberg away with a stick so the boat can pass through the murky frozen waters. This picture is meant to elicit pride in this moment just before a major victory that would boost morale. It depicts troops who are willing to sacrifice their life for freedoms, a tradition that is carried throughout American military history. Americans...
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...has studied the matter extensively, estimates that approximately 3.5% of Americans identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual. Now imagine exactly how many of those individuals are currently serving in the military. In 1916 the Articles of War made homosexual conduct a military crime. Thus, the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy. "Don't ask, don't tell" was the official United States policy on military service by gays, bisexuals, and lesbians, instituted by the Clinton Administration. Homosexuals were not allowed to speak about their sexuality in service and higher ups were forbidden to ask. “While senior military leaders say the change has had no impact on readiness and little to no effect on most of the 1.2 million members on active duty, gay troops describe the repeal’s effect on them as life-changing.”, said one reporter 9 months after the repeal. The subject happens to be a huge milestone for the LGBT community in terms of equality. Once the Articles of War made homosexual conduct a military crime with the “don't ask don't tell” policy it negatively impacted lgbt individuals in and out of the armed forces by...
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