While we’re on the subject

of old tests, I had to write an essay once about why science and culture acknowledging the fact of sexual diversity does not translate into acceptance of sexual diversity. Here it is (after the jump):

Essentialism v. Constructionism

On which side of this coin do I fall?

Since this is all about breaking down binaries, as the queer project was initially intended to do, I’m going to come right out and say that I think I fall somewhere in between. On a test once I was asked to distinguish between the essentialist and constructionist perspectives. Here is what I wrote (yes I have old tests lying around):

Essentialism assumes that differences between groups of people are inherent, somehow natural – scientists usually refer to biological or genetic differences between groups. Constructionism rejects these assumptions in favor of a perspective that recognizes and understands the essentialist argument or completely standing behind the idea that society and culture create and maintain certain principles and concepts.