Meaning of compulsory heterosexuality | Babel Free

Definitions

The idea that heterosexuality is often assumed and forced upon individuals regardless of their own sexual orientation by a patriarchal and heteronormative society.

uncountable

Examples

“In none of these books, which concern themselves with mothering, sex roles, relationships, and societal prescriptions for women, is compulsory heterosexuality ever examined as an institution powerfully affecting all these; or the idea of "preference" or "innate orientation" even indirectly questioned.”

“How could I have missed this milestone of compulsory heterosexuality? Who would teach my daughter whatever girls with fathers learned on these dates and dances, like how to wait for doors to be opened or hold a fork like an unmistakable catch?”

CEFR level