Heteronormative Meaning: What Does Heteronormative Mean? Plus, 8 Examples to Know

[icymist]

It’s about time we kicked heteronormativity to the curb. Never heard of the term before? It has to do with what kinds of identities and experiences — namely, cisgender and heterosexual ones — are presumed to be the “default” in our society. And, as a practice and a belief system, it leaves a lot of damage in its wake.

Heteronormativity doesn’t just harm the queer folks whose realities are diminished or outright omitted by it. By operating under a construct that only certain identities are “normal,” it sets up other groups — across races, ethnic groups, and abilities — to be similarly othered. In other words, when we decide it’s okay for one or two select identities to be given “default” status, that leaves a whole lot of people on the margins.

In real, practical terms, though, what does heteronormativity mean? We’ll dive a little deeper into the heteronormative definition, as well as break down its history and offer up some heteronormativity examples, below.

In this article, you’ll find:

“Heteronormative” Meaning

What is the Origin of Heteronormativity?

Why is Heteronormativity Bad?

8 Examples of Heteronormativity

https://www.teenvogue.com/story/heteronormativity-gender-identity-sexual-orientation

[Roy Rolling]

1. Pardon the Intrusion....

Not my forum, but I might suggest the word is more pejorative than accurate.

The derivative word “heteronormative” is a political statement and inaccurate in a medical jargon/scientific language discussion.

The correct word might be heterodefault. Not “normal”, but the default condition of sexuality within that particular species? Many homosexuals are more “normal” than nutjob heterosexuals.

[lambchopp59]

2. Scientific and "woke" settings, concur.

A large portion of, especially un-woke MAGA men fall straight into the pejorative column of this. I've witnessed countless of the ilk utilize the full pejorative inflections of "queer" or "fag" in a complaint about even the most fleeting, innocent or nuanced suggestion of same sex anything "They gotta push it in my face", two breaths later expressing locker room "woot-woot" at blatant heterosuggestive references, nudity, female sexual organ displays. I've called the ilk "heterosupremecist".
The article from a teenage targeted publication seems like preaching to the mostly "woke" choir.
Of the heteroassumptive, it's likely the "too stupid to recognize their stupidity" can apply. Doubly so for those who insist the reproductive prerogative is paramount, even on an overpopulated planet, and suffix "default" may fly right over their heads as well.

[icymist]

3. Don't you just love mansplaing?

[lambchopp59]

4. I'd love it more if I could drill a hole

In MAGA thick skulls to pour in some decent level of wokeness despite their objections.

[TygrBright]

5. Excellent article, thank you for posting the link.

The videos on that page were inspiring as well.

I hope today's young people can build a world where gender is irrelevant.

Because, frankly, outside the medical research laboratories, gender IS irrelevant.

Leaving aside reproductive morphology - which is virtually irrelevant except for people who wish to become parents (and technology is on the verge of making it completely irrelevant for that, too) - gender is a 100% cultural construct, constructed by a sick, dysfunctional patriarchy over millennia to protect privilege.

The most important thing about any human being is not their gender.

Beauty, opportunity, and personal fulfilment need to be unchained from assumptions about who we love and what gender we identify with, but our culture and - more importantly for the purposes of making change - our ECONOMY is structured around those things.

There's something called "the beauty industry" and what is included in that varies from source to source - some include only things like manufacturers of skin/hair care products, fashion, cosmetics, etc. but others, more functionally, include the weight loss industry, the sections of the exercise/health market that focus on changing body appearance/morphology to conform with accepted ideals, the cosmetic surgery sector of health care, and even supplements/pharmaceuticals that focus on changes related to 'appropriate' or 'normal' experience related to gender.

Then add in the gender-based entertainment and recreational sectors that focus on providing cars, books, and virtually every kind of consumer good that is pitched at affirming some gender-related assumption or standard.

To uncouple all of those things from gender would upend a vast portion of the economy, and those currently benefitting from the status quo are committed to that status quo.

Think about a world where gender is irrelevant. My mind undergoes the mental equivalent of a stubbed toe at almost every point. Every aspect of life in America in the 21st century remains shaped by gender.

Imagine being in a group of strangers waiting to meet someone running for office. You're surrounded by them and NOTHING about their appearances, their behavior, or their conversation gives you any reason to assume anyone's gender.

Imagine showing up for the first parent/teacher conference at your child's new school, and you don't know your child's teacher's gender. You don't know the gender of the other parents waiting with you. You don't even know the gender of the kids your child went off with to hang out in the gym with while you're at the meeting.

I'm guessing that if you are under 30, these thought experiments may be interesting but they don't make you uneasy. For those in the 30 - 50 age group it might be a mixed bag - interesting, but a little anxiety-provoking, too. For those in the over 50 age group there's probably quite a bit of uneasiness or anxiety even if you think a gender-irrelevant culture would be a good thing.

I hope my grandchild sees a gender-irrelevant world. I know my grandchild's parents are doing their best in that direction.

I will probably not see it. But I am doing my best to bring it about for their generations.

hopefully,
Bright