Compulsory Heterosexuality and Lesbian Existence

Many of Adrienne Rich's observations are quite astute, particularly, her notions regarding female sexuality socialized as a man's possession. This is certainly seen in the way society perceives chastity as something to be saved for one's husband or a specific man, but never for one's self. Additionally, Rich forces reader to confront whether men are naturally more sexual than women and, if so, to question the extent that men can control this powerful sex drive. Rich points to various social institutions that seem to convince people that female sexuality is a mere illusion, yet another aspect woman that only exists for the sake of man. However, while socialization and perhaps social control often seem to dominate its victims, it seems inappropriate to equate these social norms with acts of sexual violence. Likewise, it seems to belittle sexual crimes like rape, molestation and harassment, when one connects these atrocities to gender socialization. While socialization is, by definition normal social practice, sexual violence is a crime and is not considered acceptable. Therefore, it would difficult to attribute sexual violence to normal gender socialization because majority of the society does not engage in this type of deviance. Moreover, to relate socialization and sex crimes would seem to belittle the severity of these crimes.