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Journal Articles

“We Want Them to Be as Heterosexual as Possible” : Fathers Talk about Their Teen Children’s Sexuality

This article examines heterosexual fathers’ descriptions of conversations with their teen children about sexuality and their perceptions of their teen children’s sexual identities. We show that fathers construct their own identities as masculine and heterosexual in the context of these conversations and prefer that their children, especially sons, are heterosexual. Specifically, fathers feel accountable for their sons’ sexuality and model and craft heterosexuality for them, even as many encourage their sons to stay away from heterosexual relationships and sex until they are older. Fathers are more accepting of homosexuality for their daughters yet question the authenticity of teen lesbian identity and do not recognize their daughters’ sexuality as agentic. They instead construct their daughters as sexually passive and vulnerable and position themselves as their daughters’ protectors. The findings illustrate the complexities of heteronormativity in a context of shifting, frequently contested gender and sexual landscapes.

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Detail Information
Series Title
Gender & Society
Call Number
-
Publisher
Thousand Oak : sage publisher.,
Collation
-
Language
English
ISBN/ISSN
08912432
Classification
-
Content Type
-
Media Type
-
Carrier Type
-
Edition
Vol. 25 no. 3, June 2011.pp. 293-315
Subject(s)
Family
Men
Masculinity
Sexuality
We Want Them to Be as Heterosexual as Possible
Specific Detail Info
-
Statement of Responsibility
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