Norm

Norms refer to the ways in which discourse reinforces ways of being and existing that are symbolic of what the proper ways of doing both of those things is. Norms are often characterized by how the majority exists. For example, in the context of the NASA image in the Halperin article, heterosexuality is seen as the norm because discourses of reproductive futurism have equated humanity as being synonymous with heterosexuality. Anything that deviates from a form of sexual expression not centered on reproductive futurism falls outside of this constructed norm, and in this case, is not a proper way of performing what it means to be human because under the norm humanity’s sole purpose in terms of sexuality is to reproduce (Halperin). [Satveer]