Sociology

In sociology, social constructionism is a theory about social reality and how its constructed. Saying that something is a social construction or that its a  socially constructed  phenomenon means that it exists and takes its form in society depending on a complex array of factors created by the society itself, not natural forces. Things that are socially constructed include money, policy, and social values things that are not socially constructed include the basic properties of the human body like the need for food (Boghossian, 2001, p. 1 Jackson  Srensen, 2003, p. 176).      

Despite the fact that there are no areas of sexuality that have been socially constructed,  homosexuality is widely regarded among sociologists as a social construction. However, this view has been a fiercely debated issue between social constructionists and essentialists for decades (Houston, 2007, p. 1). In philosophy, essentialism its the view that the properties of everything are classified into two types      

1. Essential properties The properties that are essential to the thing they are unlosable,            inalterable, and always exist with its existence. An example on an essential property of           a certain thing The fishs ability to live in water ( Essentialism,  2010, p. 1).      

2. Accidental properties Any property that isnt necessarily a part of the things nature.            An example of an accidental property Wearing heavy clothes when the weather is            cold ( Essentialism,  2010, p. 1).       Social constructionists argue that homosexuality is an option and a personal choice, they avoid classifying it as an essential property of the identities of gays and lesbians because sexual roles vary among different civilizations and eras. This view emphasizes homosexualitys dependence on many non-natural and socially constructed factors in society. These factors include the societys local culture, religious traditions, and legal system. Social constructionists even use the phrase  sexual preference  instead of  sexual orientation  to refer to an individuals choice of sexual acts (Houston, 2007, p. 1).      

In contrast to the social constructionist view, essentialists argue that homosexuality isnt a social construction nor is it a personal choice, but its a sexual inversion caused by several biological, psychological, and social factors, and therefore its an essential property of gays and lesbians identities. Essentialists attribute most of the effect on an individuals choice of sexual acts to the biological factors which include hormones, genes, and instincts (Houston, 2007, p. 1).      

Both sides of debates provide strong arguments backed by reliable evidence, but  the essentialist approach is more accurate an credible because its more scientific. Homosexuality must be viewed and discussed as a biological phenomenon because the functions of human bodys organs are highly involved in it.              

What is Queer Theory Why Is It Important in Studying Sexualities      
Queer theory was first introduced and named as an academic discipline in 1991. It builds upon several theories and fields of studies pertaining to human sexuality including feminist studies, gaylesbian studies, poststructuralism, and deconstruction. The principles of queer theory are mainly influenced by the ideas and works of many scholars such as Michel Foucault, Eve Sedgwick, and Judith Butler (Klages, 1997, p. 1 Schippert, 2005, p. 90-91).      

Queer theory is very important in studying sexualities because it explores issues such as gender and the images of sexual orientations as acts and identities. Its mainly concerned with emphasizing the notion that gender and sexual orientations are in fact social constructions, not essential properties of individuals identities. Therefore, queer theorists argue that studying the biological structure of the human body and the gender as two parts of one unit is an inappropriate scientific approach. They also reject linking any area of human sexuality to any kind of moral judgments (Klages, 1997, p. 1).