The social norm is constructed: not naturally occurring but created by the society in which it is found.
Hence there are no actions which in themselves are inherently #abnormal or universally condemned by all societies at all times. Deviance is thus situational and contextual.
"If a young woman does not follow the social injunction to have feelings in a sexual relationship, she knows that she risks being called to order, being punished. Or to feel shame or guilt. This burden of the social norm is primarily internalised."
"There is, in all circles, the threatening 'spectre of the faggot'. The determination to appear as 'a man, a real man' and secure one's masculinity, while escaping suspicion of homosexuality, which is considered demeaning and dangerous. Some gay boys from privileged backgrounds have told me that they were in a relationship with a girl at school to give the impression, to cover their tracks."
"Perhaps the most immediate danger, however, is not a sudden explosion of violence across the region, but the worldâs slow normalisation of, and desensitisation to, what should be an unacceptably high level of violence and human misery."
For Arab nations, Gaza catastrophe a mere blip in normalising relations with Israel
What has provided Israel complete impunity is the increasing indifference of Arab countries towards the Palestinian right to a state, writes Zahid Hussain.
Worrying about #Normalisation just now. Not the rapprochement btw Israel and Arab countries but the normalisation of suffering and ongoing problems; that the longer the Gaza bombing goes on, the more ânormalâ it becomes and the less attention the world pays (as with other ongoing conflicts). Same with #ClimateEmergency - we are quickly getting used to all the catastrophic news. So important to tell #HumanStories, to keep #Humanism and #Empathy for everyone alive, in all of us