The first part of this essay focuses on summarizing the various aspects of Mosher's article. The author contrasts social constructionism with essentialism, and denotes three distinct audiences that therapists must account for when counseling individuals in the coming out process. The second part provides a readalong for an oral presentation.
Social Implications of Sexual Identity Formation and Coming Out Process
Chad Mosher's article, "The social implications of identity formation and the coming-out-process: a review of the theoretical and empirical literature" provides a fairly comprehensive look at the theories and realities of individuals asserting their homosexual tendencies to the world. The article is widely written as a source of material and instruction for psychologists who are employed in a therapeutic or counseling capacity with such individuals, as there are implications for them to incorporate into their practice in the article's conclusion. In addition to discussing the two principle theories regarding coming out, essentialism and social constructionism, the author discusses aspects of the theories that are integrated as well as the effect of coming out on both the audience and the homosexual perception. Audiences are stratified into three distinct categories: family members, heterosexuals, as well as homosexuals and those somewhere in between these two dichotomies. Mosher's main point is that by combining various aspects of the two principle theories for sexual identity formation, social work practitioners can better assist individuals through this process.
In order to distinguish the limitations and appeals of each of the theoretical perspectives, the author begins by providing detailed definitions of social constructionism and essentialism. These theories are largely antipodes of one another -- whereas essentialism contends that sexual identity is innate or biologically determined at birth, social constructionism views concepts of gender and sexual identity as dependent upon social interactions. As such, there are some interesting distinctions found between these two perspectives, the former rigid and the latter mutable and constantly dynamic. Mosher (2001) frames the essential perspective based on Carrion and Locke's eight stage model, which he widely uses to contrast varying points of social constructionism (p.164).
The most important theoretical information in this article is the comparison of social constructionism with essentialism to analyze coming out behavior in a way that blends these perspectives. There are various points of similarities and dissimilarities between these theories as pertain to both internal and external exploration. Of the former, there is the notion that society plays a role in individuals thinking they must be heterosexual (Mosher, 2001, p. 166). The principle difference between the two, however, is that there is a dynamic nature associated with social constructionism, in which individuals can readily change their sexual preference and the dichotomy which typifies essentialism (either heterosexual or homosexual) is non-existent. Points of comparison between the two theories are also related to external factors, such as the social power that passing for heterosexual males grants to homosexuals (Mosher, 2001, p. 167). The principle strength of the article is that all of these various phases and consideration regarding coming out are substantiated with empirical evidence from an assortment of research studies,.
Another substantial boon is the stratification of coming out by audience. Of the three audiences that individuals take into account while coming out, the most pivotal may be that of their families. The impact of coming out on families may play a positive or negative role in the overall coming out experience for the individual (Mosher, 2001, p. 168). As such, therapists have to take particular precautions when counseling families of a person who has recently come out. Recommendations include ethical counseling for the parents, and possibly conducting separate sections for the individual and his or her family (conclusion page).
Concerns with the straight community for individuals who are not heterosexual include both emotional and physical aspects. Of the latter, the propensity for violence and physical harm is real, and should be taken into consideration when maneuvering through various social settings. Key social settings that therapists need to account for in counseling include schools (Mosher, 2001, p.171) as well as other community fixtures like churches and recreational centers. In terms of non-heterosexual audiences, finding a community of such individuals can foster a key sense of valuation and worth in individuals, especially those that recently came out (Mosher, 2001, p. 170). The article could have been improved by expanding the section on recommendations for social work practitioners.
Oral
Mosher's article considers the theoretical and practical ramifications of non-heterosexuals coming out. Of the former, the author contrasts and even merges two principle theories -- essentialism and social constructionism. These theories are diametrically opposed. Essentialism is founded in the belief that sexual identity is determined biologically during prenatal stages, and that people grow up with a certain disposition which influences there social interactions. Social constructionism is the notion that sexual identity is based on social interactions, and that there is a mutability with it. Social construction contends that there are two identities, heterosexual and homosexual, whereas sexual constructionism accounts for a variety of identities including bi-sexuals and others.
You’re 85% through this paper. Sign up to read the full paper.
Sign Up Now — Instant Access Already a member? Log inAlways verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.