HETEROSEXUALITY AS A SOCIOLOGICAL PHENOMENON : ITS INSTITUTIONALIZATION AND LEGITIMIZATION IN SINGAPORE SOCIETY

Abstract

There are basically three main objectives in my study: 1) to examine and analyse the premises upon which the heterosexual phenomenon operates, thereby exposing it as an institutionalized form of sexuality which is not altogether biological or psychologically determined, as most people in Singapore would think; 2) to show how the marriage ideology in Singapore legitimizes heterosexuality; 3) the sociological implications of (1) and (2). There are four chapters in my research paper. Chapter One differentiates human sexuality from animal sexuality. By so doing, it shows human sexual behaviour to be much more open than for procreation alone. It then shows how and why human sexual behaviour is socially defined and politically controlled. Chapter Two makes a distinction between sex and gender. It goes on to show that gender and heterosexuality are processes of social and sexual differentiation which have to be learnt and taught. Chapter Two also discusses the fact that there exists a wide range of human sexuality -- that sexual meanings are not universal absolutes but ambiguous and problematic categories. Since sexual behaviour is socially evaluated, it is questionable as to whether non-heterosexual behaviour is 'abnormal' and 'unnatural' and conversely whether heterosexuality is ‘normal' and 'natural'. Chapter Three demonstrates the dating activity in Singapore as an institutionalized pattern ofbehaviour with prescribed roles and rules. It also shows how the marriage ideology is manifested in Singapore society. More importantly, it shows how the marriage ideology institutionalizes and legitimizes heterosexuality. Finally, Chapter Four describes heterosexism as an intrinsic part of the existing power structure in Singapore.