(PDF) Queer Theory Assignment

Running head: ARTICLE REVIEW
Article Review
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

1
Article Review
The article “Why Be Queer?” by author Barry D. Adam is a powerful narrating
enumerating in detail social intolerance towards homosexuality, marking it as a pathological
disease and mental illness. In the process of narrating about the suppression of natural
homosexual tendencies, the article touches upon topic which are pertinent to any student
taking active interest in social structure, state and church autocracy, the development of
social institutions to curb and criminalize homosexuality, gay and lesbianism, and gender
policing. The article has a compact structure which not only strives to humanize
homosexuality and lesbian relationship but provides the reader with a very interesting and
personal perspective on gender fluidity. As a consequence the paper shows the sheer cruelty
and absurdity that lie underneath the facade of criminalizing homosexuality, labelling it as a
taboo. In the concluding paragraph, the author questions how bar it is possible to assign roles
to genders and the possible outcomes of gender dictatorship. It leaves quintessential questions
regarding our own conformity to gender roles and the restrictiveness that it henceforth brings.
After reading the entire paper it becomes apparent how western countries have not only
prohibited homosexuality but has assigned and confirmed job roles to specific gender. This is
quite a violation of people’s personal preferences and aspirations. In this way the author has
documented the serious implications of such gender biasness that has even taken a concrete
shape in schools and families, thereby taking possession of the psychological landscape of
children bullying others who do not fall into the demarcated category of gender roles.
Adams has also included in the paper a number of previous research paper s dealing
with the social implications of gender policing which is a result of homophobia that is
inherent in society. Many research papers have written in detail how gender policing has
evidently worsened male pupil’s academic performance making them more engaged in
“male-centric” activities bordering on violence. The author makes it apparent how in this
way the core concept and ideas regarding the mannerisms of cis men and women have

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Article Review
perpetuated in the society. It brings to the forefront how even parents of western countries
tend to normalize the behaviour due to the ideas and fear surrounding homosexuality, deep-
rooted into their minds. The victims, according to the paper mentioned in the essay, is not
merely the homosexual people but the entire society, who are forced to act stepping beyond
their comfort zones. The book Sociology, A Brief Introduction, written by Schaefer, also
discusses how far the idea of strict gender identity has penetrated into the society. School
going male population are constantly under the burden of aligning oneself to the established
norms of the society. The book talks about social imagination which allows an individual to
visualize the world through a different lens. As a result of this stereotyped gender identity
that social institutions like church, school and law has constructed, isolation has taken over
individuals. As estimated by WHO more than a million number of people fall victim to
suicide due to social oppression and isolationmembers (Schaefer 2008: 8). Durkheim has
concluded that one of the primary reasons of growing number of suicide rates is due to the
failure of integrating oneself within the accepted social circle. The article clearly states how
state has spread homophobia in order to ensure the entire population is functioning according
to the role stipulated by orthodox churches and rigorous religious practices. It is almost like
living in a prison where religious authorities getter the upper hand in deciding about people’s
sexual preferences and orientation. Adams has made a careful observation on how this tenets
have restricted people’s natural behavior and desires. Max Weber has observed how absurd it
to impose restrictions on people’s behaviour and wants as there cannot exist a clear definition
of social behavior which has only be assessed completely by determining the actions that lie
behind such behavioral patterns. Therefore, the absurd way of imposing or deciding
sexuality, spread and constant checking of homophobia can only separate the society into
minority and majority groups. It will increase the number of persecution of the members of
society because of their sexual orientation. The article has opened the discussion for how