Part A: Sex, Sexuality & Gender
The depiction of sexuality and gender often refers to the definition that has been established regarding the same. However, it can be noted that due to the different conceptualizations used to depict sex, sexuality, and gender on different media platforms, the definition of these concepts still appears to be shaky. For example, the issue of homosexuality overlaps with femininity and masculinity to a great extent.
Most media portraying a gay male would likely assign female traits to the character in question to pass the message about sexuality. This also applies when a particular production wants to portray a gay relationship between two women and one of the two would be subjected to have a masculine appearance. Even though this might be the case in some real life situations, it is important to note that the definition of masculinity and femininity is subjective so incorporating it into a concept such as homosexuality further blurs the understanding of what the society might have about the sexuality. According to such portrayal of homosexuality, it appears like a different version of heterosexuality where gay work towards imitating heterosexuals.
The target audience for these images is mainly individuals above the age of eighteen years. The issue of gender and sexuality is closely linked to sexual activities and consent, and this explains why it is directed towards adults above the age of eighteen. The social cost of such images is that guardians need to ensure that they do not get into the hands of young ones.
Therefore, the entities that are left at the margins are teenagers who might also be subjected to the different dynamics involving sexuality. This is linked to the element where sexuality and gender are mainly viewed through the scope of sexual intercourse even though there might be other aspects of different relationships that do not necessarily relate to sex.
Part B: Sexual Prophylaxis Procuring
In two stores that I visited, the displays of sexual are often out of sight, and one is inclined to ask the patrons in the store for their location. However, in another store, the prophylaxis were on full display but were not as openly placed as other items in the store. When I went in alone in the stores that had hidden their sexual prophylaxis, the patrons found it easy to help compared to when I had gone in with someone else of either gender. However, I noticed it was slightly harder to engage them in a conversation when I was with someone from the opposite gender. On the other hand, the store that had sexual prophylaxis displayed openly were very easy to communicate with but were slightly bothered with the public displays of affection when I was with someone of the same gender or much older.
From the onset, the issue of whether children can access the sexual prophylaxis comes to mind. In one store, the manner the items were displayed could easily be seen and accessed by the children. However, after inquiring about the issue from one patron, he assured me that no individual under the age of eighteen would be permitted to purchase the items. Interestingly, most of the items are targeted towards the female gender.
Speculatively, the issue of not being sexually satisfied has always surrounded the female gender, and this might explain why most of the items are designed to attract females. Interestingly, the manner in which I was treated was not different despite the sexuality or kind of identity that I opted to portray. Arguably, the issue of globalization has made more people tolerant of the issue of sexuality.
