The Relationship between Gender and Sexuality: Impact of Gender Norms on Sexual Practices and Intimate Relationships

GENDER AND SEXUALITY
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Introduction
The relationship existing between gender and sexuality is significant gender movement
that is happening in the contemporary society. Representation of masculinity and femininity is
constructed by humans and sets the phases of social expectations. Social institutions are meant
for gender roles that are based on the fundamentals of traditional norms (Hammarén &
Johansson, 2014, p.215). The norms in the society change over time and are influenced by the
social and cultural movements and environments. Gender is defined as the manner in which the
society highlights the sexual differences among men and women while sex is the biological
differences that exist between the two species. From birth, our lives are shaped by our biological
identities which are further impacted by the unlimited number of cultural, social, psychological
and environmental forces. Even upon reaching our adulthood, the social and psychological
factors are still present (Daniels, 2016). To determine what it means to be male or female
requires more than just the definition given in the biological perspective. Without noticing, our
behaviour, awareness, aspirations, and attitudes have strongly been affected by gender
expectations by our specific culture (Fonagy, 2018, p.1). At the time we reach childhood and
adolescence, our concept of gender and sexual orientation is firmly rooted. This paper aims to
determine the relationship between gender and sexuality and find out how prevalent are notions
of gender in influencing sexual practices and intimate relationships.
The Relationship between Gender and Sexuality
The current status of sexuality theory in the fast-evolving world is that there is no room
for sexuality psycho-analysis. Sexuality is no longer considered as key in all cases relevant to
theorization. Contextualizing our arguments about sexuality is essential. Since Freud's initial

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perceptions of sex, little changes have been made on the same subject making it more
complicated (Hunter, 2017, p.175). It is vital to ensure that the survival of human species and
preservation of human genetic material.
Some of the ideas passed in the media are indeed viewed and regarded as gospel truth by
members of society (Hammarén & Johansson, 2014, p.215). Individual self-identities are shaped
by what they see and hear from the media. With time, gender becomes a regulatory fiction,
reinforced by the everyday performativity of identity. The relationship of sexuality as a
performance to the sexed body, however, remains a contentious area of debate of both gender
and sexuality. Gender identity leads to an expression of a person's sexuality. Identity labels both
the influence and critical re-thinking of Sexuality and Gender. Sexuality is mainly conceived as
being a natural instinct or drive that becomes an inevitable part of the biological make-up of a
person which seeks fulfillment through sexual activity (Young, 2017, p.3). This view on
sexuality sees it as a natural entity, is mostly known as essentialism. The essentialist theory
presents sex as a natural instinct which is necessary for the purpose of the reproductive activity.
From this approach, it is evident that there is a clear relationship between sexuality and gender.
The modern culture presumes the association between the two as an intimate relationship
because human is biologically male or female with the appropriate sex organs and ability to
reproduce and having the right form of erotic behaviour.
Sexuality does map a gender and sexual identity on a person's individuality (Carroll,
2009). An exploration of sexual identities; gender and sexuality issues as they relate to gay or
lesbian, transvestite/ transsexuals or bisexual, but whose behaviors or beliefs may sometimes be
interpreted by others as uncharacteristic of their sex? Gender identities refer to people's locations
within a range of gender identity and possibilities within their cultures. Sexuality is mainly

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considered to be a biological and psychological variable. It has been acknowledged that our
culture profoundly influences sexuality (Midgley, 2017). There are specific factors that exist in
our society that all have meaning in the way we perceive things. The approach does not aim at
making biology seem insignificant in teaching us about sexuality but aims at making
differentiate at the way we perceive being male or female according to our experiences. Human
sexuality is deeply rooted in biological terms, which links with the intention of procreation. It
terms the process of reproduction as usual (Mitchell, 2018, p.67). Sexuality defines the ability of
people experiencing and expressing themselves sexually most probably to the opposite gender.
It, therefore, determines the behaviour of one sex towards the other.
On the other hand, gender is what culture does with the evidence of biological sex. An
individual's gender roles, gender types, and stereotypes change over time with the transition from
childhood into adulthood, and finally into old age (McDowell, 2018). Compulsory gender
relations and gender identities play a crucial role. Explicit references made to sexuality are
usually marked with minority sexual identities. For example; it is naturally presumed that gay
men will tend to hold their talks in a similar manner to that to that of ladies, and lesbians on the
other side will tend to talk like men (Young, 2017, p.3). There is indeed a clear connection
between language and sexuality. By using a more comprehensive definition of sexuality, it
involves both issues surrounding sexual orientation of individuals and identity as well as gender.
The need to have an identity creates a critical sexual identity that at times may be
regarded as monstrous. There has been an element of the culture critiquing gender concerning
the relationship between gender dualism, sexuality, and sexual orientation as stated by (Harris,
2004). Most people at some point do have concerns about themselves and their sexuality with
scientific facts, and sensitivity based on societal beliefs. Schools remain critical sites for the