LEARNING DIARY

In the study of the anthropology of sexuality, there are various concepts that one can learn. Some of the ideas anthropology of sexuality entails includes the following; One can learn how the political, social and economic changes affect sexuality, how other cultures can help in understanding sexualities, the impacts of heteronormative institutions in the society, how the anthropological approach help in explaining the connection between sexuality and culture. And ways in which sexuality related to exchange and work. The following paragraph is a discussion of the ideas I learned and experiences gained during the study.

During the study, I found the module educative since it provided adequate details regarding gender and sexuality. I learned how the economic, social and political transformations affect sexuality around the world. For instance, Johnson et al. (2000) claim that in the current world, many segments in the economy use the physicality of the females to market their products. For example, there are regions such as Europe where there are shows like pure skin entertainment, which only require female participants. What is more, I learned that there are many companies around the globe that the number of males in the management and the board is higher than those of women. Also, in politics, the number of females in different national parliaments around the world is less. 

The module also enabled me to understand how culture can help in understanding sexuality. I realized that it is essential to learn the differences in sexual behaviors among members belonging to a specific society. It enables one to understand his or her sexuality. For example, in the USA, many companies prefer male employees, since they have the belief that females cannot handle technical work such as Engineering. 

Also, I learned that heteronormative institutions have adverse effects on society. Heteronormative individuals believe that those who are not heterosexuals are bad, as a result, it causes stigma within the community among these individuals since they are socially deviant. Hence, it results in sexual identity discrimination in society. For instance, there -are workplace policies that discourage same-sex relationships (Giddens, 1993, 95). Therefore, the LGBT group and the bisexuals are likely to get fired or remain unemployed.  

Additionally, there is a relationship between sexuality and culture. According to anthropology, an individual can use sexual meanings and behaviors to define the belief of a particular community (Curtis, 2004). For example, the sexual implications and practices of females and males in America can help in defining the culture of the people living in the country. 

Based on the ideas I learned in the module, I realized that the opened up various views on my understanding of sexuality and gender. Previously, I thought that sexuality is a concept that cannot get influenced by external factors. However, during the study of the anthropology of sexuality, I learned that the economic, social and political transformations around the world have various impacts in determining sexuality. For instance, the above arguments show that many companies use female physicality to market their products. Also, the number of females in the leadership positions in political and management institutions is less as compared to the males. By acknowledging the use of female physicality and their number in leadership, posts shows how global transformations define sexuality. 

Additionally, the module has offered me new insight into sexuality. The module has enabled me to understand the impacts of the heteronormative institutions in the society. The above text shows that heteronormative hierarchy has adverse effects on individuals involved in relationships of same-sex. The module has enabled me to understand the reason why there is discrimination in various workplaces around the world based on sexual identity. The above premises shows that many companies have policies that discourage same-sex relationships at the workplace. Hence individuals belonging to the LGBT and bisexual groups are likely to get fired or remain unemployed since such laws do not favor them. 

One of the ideas that resonated my understanding of sexuality is the effects of global transformations on sexuality. The above argument shows that in the American society employers prefer male workers in doing technical jobs. In the various firms I have visited around the USA, I found out that there are more male employees in the Engineering sector, while the females in the hospitality segment. Thus, this explains that the employers in the engineering sector believe that male employees are suitable for technical works as compared to the women. I realized this concept resonates with my understanding of sexuality since it gave a clear picture of what I happen in society.

Overall, I enjoyed reading the module. I found every information on the topic of study fascinating. I believe that a student or an individual who would like to learn more about sexuality should learn the various concepts entailed in the anthropology of sexuality. The ideas would enable one to be able to understand many differences and factors that affect sexuality in the society. In the future, I will be able to use the information learned in this module to explain sexuality perspectives around the world. 

Reference List

Curtis, D., 2004. Commodities and sexual subjectivities: A look at capitalism and its desires. Cultural Anthropology, 19(1), pp.95-121.

Giddens, A., 1993. The Transformation of Intimacy: Sexuality, Love and Eroticism in Modern Societies. Cambridge. Polity Press.

Johnson, M., Jackson, P. and Herdt, G., 2000. Critical regionalities and the study of gender and sexual diversity in South East and East Asia. Culture, Health & Sexuality, 2(4), pp.361-375.