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hw5 michael li

The students at River High are taught and conditioned to behave in a formatted way that perpetuates heterosexuality and actively creates differences in male and female students to do so. In general, schools institutionalize hetero-normative activities both activity through policies and subliminally through everyday socializing (Pascoe, 2007: 26).

At River High, Ms. Mac teased two students, a boy and a girl, walking in late together and talking. The tease defined heterosexuality suggesting a relationship that is sexually charged between these two students (Pascoe, 2007: 31). She is supporting the ideal that a proper relationship should be between two people of the opposite gender who do not deviate from their assigned gender roles.

In one of Ms. Mac’s classes she had to collect condoms being handed out to other students (Pascoe, 2007: 34). She, a faculty member, was denying students the access to an item that would help them have safer sex. This is one of many examples of school employees contradicting themselves in that they will perpetual heterosexuality, but not allow the act of sex, or simply pretend it was non-existent.

Teachers constantly ignore homophobic comments. Such comments are displays of dominance and a means to define what isn’t desirable, or normal (homosexuality) (Pascoe, 2007: 36). Mr. McNally rebuked direct/declarative homophobic comments such as using “gay” synonymously to “stupid”. He still engaged students in homophobic comments subliminally when he teased a student that suggested he was going to engage in homosexual activities. These homophobic tendencies were used as way to get around being directly offensive and still achieve the perpetuation of heterosexuality as the accepted norm.

Dances allowed students to be sexual promiscuous and promote the differences in masculinity and femininity. At these events, females were able to show their availability and desire to be sexual objects by taking off their clothes (Pascoe, 2007: 42). The regulation of these events by the school shows how they were interested in both the allowing sexism, but at the same time restricting sexual activity.

We can conclude that River High is an example that denying students open discussion of sexual activity, but promoting a heterosexual culture can coexist.