Personal Cultural Identity: Heterosexual
The two diagrams represent how various social institutions play significant roles towards reinforcing cultural identities. In the case of my personal cultural identity, religion, family, school and the media, all serve to reinforce the belief that it is the acceptable path to follow. When it comes to religion, individuals are encouraged once they are of age to seek for members of the opposite sex and start a family. In fact, the bible in Proverbs chapter 18 verse 22, says “He who finds a wife finds a good thing.” In particular, it specifically implies that marriage is only considered so, if it is between a man and a woman. Similarly, within most societies, marriage is viewed as the first step towards starting a family, and as a union between a man and a woman. Schools and the media further reinforce the cultural identity, by providing messages that encourage relationships between members of the opposite sex.
In the case of homosexuality, religion actually forbids same sex relationships. The bible, in Leviticus chapter 18 verse 22, actually categorizes same sex relationships as an abomination. Similarly, family also considers homosexuality as abnormal and shameful. Furthermore, the emphasis usually put on procreation, makes same sex relationships unacceptable to most families, due to the need for further generations to carry on the family name in most cases. When it comes to schools, it is possible to argue that protests against homosexuality can be seen clearly through the silence adopted on the subject. The only social institution that seems a bit lenient on homosexuality is actually the media. This lack of support reinforces the belief that homosexuality is abnormal.
In order for a cultural identity to be acceptable, all social institutions must be in tandem in terms of their acceptance of it. Failure to do so, results in the rejection of such an identity.
