Heterosociality
 Relationships (Outline) |
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Insociology,heterosocialitydescribessocial relationswith persons of the oppositesexor a preference for such relations, often excludingrelationshipsof aromanticandsexualnature.[1]The opposite of heterosociality ishomosociality.
At an institutional level, the spread of heterosociality, epitomized by the entrance of women into public life and space, is closely associated with the progress ofmodernization.[2]
Terminology[edit]
 | This sectionneeds additional citations forverification.(June 2012) |
The termheterosocialcan refer to either:
- an individual who prefers to befriend or socialize with the opposite sex, as opposed to homosocial (preferring same-sex social relations) orbisocial(enjoying social relations with both sexes)
- a social relationship between two people who are of different sexes, as opposed to homosocial (of the same sex).
Whether the term can be applied to groups of three or more people has been disputed. One possible argument is that such a group is homosocial if composed of people of a single sex, and bisocial if composed of people of both sexes, since in the latter case each member will be interacting with people of both sexes. On the other hand,Collins English Dictionary[3]definesheterosocialas "relating to or denoting mixed-sex social relationships", without specification of whether it applies to relationships between two people or among larger groups, suggesting that the term can describe social interactions involving people of both sexes more generally.
Historical developments[edit]
The pervasiveness of heterosociality in contemporary life can lead to the obscuring of itssocial constructionas a late development in Western history. Writing of early society,Freudconsidered that there was "an unmistakable tendency to keep the sexes apart. Women live with women, men with men".[4]Durkheimassociated sexualtotemism,binding men and women into two separate totemic corporations, with such a social division of the sexes.[5]Even in the twentieth century, rules of etiquette in some traditional villages dictated that men and women do not greet each other when passing in public.[6]
Urbanizationand modernization have seen a gradual erosion of the barriers to male/female socialising, not without significantculture warsalong the way over each particular new arena. Thus, for example, part of the hostility to theElizabethan theatrelay in the fact that men and women freely intermingled in its audience;[7]while dance halls and cabarets later offered similarly controversial new areas for heterosocial interaction,[8]as too didamusement parks.[9]
In the 21st century, the challenge presented to traditional societies by the way the discourse ofmodernityencourages heterosociality over an older homosociality continues to be a live issue.[10]
Impact on feminism[edit]
The 20th century opening up of the public sphere to women[11]—work, politics, culture, education—both fuelled, and was fed by, thefeminist movement;but the increase in heterosociality which accompanied it was seen as double-edged by many feminists. On the one hand, it served to undercut older feminist homosocial bonds and support systems;[12]on the other, it split the new feminist movement, as calls forseparatist feminismchallenged heterosociality, let alone heterosexuality,[13]in ways many found unacceptable.
Post-feminismhas generally accepted heterosociality, along with a new strategy ofgender mainstreaming,but not without reservations as to the exploitative aspects of (for example)raunch culturewithin the new 21st century public gender regime.[14]
Adolescence[edit]
Acquiring heterosocial competence is a key adolescent task.[15]Other-sex friendships, even more than romances, can play a key role in this process.[16]
Different societies and differentsubculturesplace varying restrictions upon adolescent heterosocial roles and opportunities.[17]Americanteen culturein particular has been seen as aggressively promoting heterosociality over homosociality.[18]
Culture[edit]
The advancement of culture was seen byHenry Jamesas linked to heterosociality.[19]Similarly,Kenneth Clarksaw the flourishing of 18th-century French culture as rooted in the heterosociality of thesalon.[20]
Artistic conflicts[edit]
- Postfeminist criticism ofBuffy Summersas powerful femalerole modelhas centred on the heterosocial nature of her particular universe of social networks.[21]Cross-sex relationships play a predominant part in the Buffy world, foreclosing more politicised readings[22]from a feminist viewpoint.
See also[edit]
- Cross-sex friendship
- Compulsory heterosexuality
- Gender roles
- Human bonding
- Mixed-sex education
- Platonic love
- Romantic friendship
- Romantic orientation
References[edit]
- ^Beere, Carole A. (1990).Sex and Gender Issues: A Handbook of Tests and Measures.Greenwood Publishing Group.ISBN0-313-27462-2.
- ^Ben Singer,Melodrama and Modernity(2001) p. 21
- ^"Definition of" heterosocial "- Collins English Dictionary".collinsdictionary.
- ^Sigmund Freud,On Sexuality(PFL 7) p. 271
- ^Emile Durkheim,The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life(1971) p. 165-6
- ^Erving Goffman,Relations in Public(1971) p. 122
- ^Stephen Greenblatt,Will in the World(2005) p. 186
- ^Mark P. Holt,Alcohol: A Social and Cultural History(2006) p. 152
- ^Kathy Peiss,Cheap Amusements(1987) p. 136
- ^N. Naghibi,Rethinking Global Sisterhood(2007) p. 110
- ^Jennifer Craig,The Face of Fashion(1994) p. 178
- ^Susan Layleff,Wash and be Healed(1991) p. 162
- ^Sylvia Walby,The Future of Feminism(2011) p. 3
- ^Walby, p. 20 and p. 88
- ^R. J. R. Levesque,Encyclopedia of Adolescence(2011) p. 1302
- ^Levesque, p. 1297-9
- ^Erving Goffman,Relations in Public(1972) p. 269–70
- ^R. Wilson/D. Lavery,Fighting the Forces(2002) p. 49–51
- ^Beverly Havilland,Henry James's Last Romance(1997) p. 168
- ^Kenneth Clark,Civilisation(1969) p. 251-8
- ^Lorna Jowett,Sex and The Slayer(2005) p. 50
- ^Wilcox, p. 49 and p. 60