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Assignment 06 – Marlena Esposito

Heterosexuality is something that has become monetized and commercialized in capitalist societies. It has been engraved in us since birth that heterosexuality is the only correct sexuality, and this has been institutionally enforced. The institution of heterosexuality places an attack on the lesbian community, claiming that they have a bitterness towards men. Because of this belief, heterosexuality is engraved into women from a young age. When girls are as young as 1-2 years old, they are told about fairytales where every single ending involves a woman getting married to a man. This need for parents to have their children grow up heterosexual is extremely profitable in media. Children’s shows, books, and films frequently relate back to the topic of heterosexual marriage, even though that is something that children do not understand. The capitalization of heterosexuality occurs in every platform other than platforms geared towards children. It is very rare to see a homosexual couple being the lead of a television show or a film. Most couples in popular media fit the trope of being straight, white and wealthy. This thrives in our society, causing heterosexuality to be something that is capitalized.

Another way that heterosexuality is an economic institution relates back to the way that women are treated in the workforce. Women are given an unequal pay, are sexually harassed in the workforce, and are often denied jobs if they claim they are a lesbian. Women are often forced into low-paying degrading jobs because higher position jobs are claimed to be “unfit” for a woman. Sexual harassment in the workforce is an extremely common occurrence, and the perpetrators are infrequently held responsible. This makes it almost impossible for a woman to speak out against this behavior, and when she does she is often labelled a prude or accused of not being heterosexual. Women are placed into this vicious cycle of being abused in the workplace but not being able to advance in their place because of the institution of heterosexuality.