Grace Guthrie
Miss Murphy
English 9 Honors
6 May 2014
Is Homosexuality Determined at Birth?
Many people wonder the origin of homosexuality. Being gay is far more intricate than just being born gay or not. Homosexuality is an extremely elaborate trait possessed by about 19% of the world. Being gay is extremely complex and there isn’t one true answer.
There is abundant evidence that brain size and structure differences can result in homosexuality. Brain scans conducted in Sweden show that straight male’s brains are similar to lesbians, and gay male’s brains are similar to a straight woman. These similarities are in shape and structure, and a reflection that they function in a similar way as well. Key parts of the brain that control anxiety, aggressiveness, and mood are similar in homosexual males and heterosexual females, same with heterosexual males and homosexual females (Roman). A study published by the journal Science in 1991 showed that the hypothalamus was twice as large in heterosexual men than homosexual men. The hypothalamus of the brain controls the release of sex hormones. Also, neurons in INAH3 are packed more closely together than in straight men (Malory). However, science is yet to determine if homosexual practices change the brain or if the brain results in homosexual practice (Deem).
Likewise, there are also many prominent physical examples. According to a number of different studies, gay women and gay men are more likely to be left-handed or ambidextrous than heterosexual men and women (Malory). When it comes to puberty, straight women mature faster than lesbians and gay men earlier than heterosexual men (Tatchell). Studies show that lesbians and straight men have a shorter index finger than ring finger. Simil...
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... role in determining homosexuality, it is hard to argue against the view that “nature” plays a serious role in sexual orientation. (Morpurgo) Many studies have shown that sexual orientation is not necessarily fixed in everyone, but can be changed, especially in females (Deem). Scientists truly believe that homosexuals can learn to not act on their desires. It has been proven that the human brain can even change after adulthood, with the right experiences. (Malory) It is questionable if that is the right thing to do, but nonetheless, it can be done.
To conclude, homosexuality is a vastly complex and intricate topic with thousands of components. Many scientists suspect that the root causes of homosexuality are more varied and complex than just one simple explanation. However, it is irrefutable that the facts and the science will not change to support opinions.
In Brandon Ambrosino’s “I am Gay – but I Wasn't Born This Way”, the author states his reasoning as to why he believes he chose to be gay. Being one of the few who questions the born this way ideology, Ambrosino, along with other LGBTQ activists, are “cast as homophobic, and their thinking is considered backward”(par 10). However, just because an argument like this is popular, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s true. Even scientific organizations like the American Psychological Association (APA) believes that people have no control over their sexual orientations, however, no findings have been found that determine if sexual orientation is determined from hormones, genetics, or cultural influences(par 21), therefore contradicting the previous claim.
The finding mean usually relies in the shadow of the fathers' absence. This could be changed if a father properly trains his son to be candid on his instilled values becoming a man. Therefore, it is not an uplifting question of why homosexuals occurs in the post-modern era. Genes may be related to the development of sexual orientation, recent studies shows that an increased choice of homosexuality in men whose mothers previously carried to many male children.
Many people cannot understand why anyone would want to get involved in homosexual activity. There are many arguments about homosexuality whether is by nature or nurture. Before we make judgments on homosexuality, we need to identify the causes of homosexuality. Homosexuality is caused by genetic, biological and environmental factors.
To look at what causes homosexuality, one must look back through history at different points in time, for example Homosexual acts occur naturally in nature and appear all over history. No one knows for sure what causes homosexuality or if there is a choice in sexual orientation at all. Scientific studies have furthered no evidence in supporting the idea of altering Sexual Orientation or choosing in what sexual acts you enjoy ruling out any possibility of Homosexuality being a choice. No link to psychopathy or family distress to homosexuality has been found, and all studies point to birth regarding sexual orientation at birth rather than during adolescence (APA).
Sexual orientation is a topic scientists spend a great deal of time researching, however it is unclear what factors really have an effect on one’s sexual orientation. The role of biology, culture, socialization, and age contribute to the influences of sexual orientation.
Many people now believe the reporting of many popular newspapers and magazines report of the "discovery" of a link between a certain gene and homosexuality, but hasn't it been considered a choice for such a long time? Is homosexuality a choice rather than genetic? To answer this question we'll start off by revealing some myths of homosexuality. The next part will explain the difference between a behavioral trait and a genetic trait. Finally I'll end be unveiling the truth behind the "homosexual gene."
...ally factors are responsible for sexual orientation. There are so many variations within society that could affect at person's sexuality, that it is impossible to make any assertions at this point. Therefore the nature and nurture debate is still open.
Mustanski writes that “the ultimate goal of such research (in sexual studies), will be to understand the timing and mechanism of various etiological factors that influence sexual orientation.” (Mustanski, 2002) However, sexual orientation is no longer considered to be a sexual deviancy in most cultures like pedophilia and rape. However, there are more and more studies showing that there still may be a genetic link in people that triggers something in their thought processes which compels people to act on their sexual urges. Just because a person identifies as either homosexual or heterosexual does not define that they will become a sexual deviant as defined by current society standards.
Genetics, biology, and upbringing are all key aspects in determining one’s sexual orientation. Many of the factors are combined to make up how a person feels or who he or she is attracted to. There is no definite answer to why someone has a particular orientation, but there are studies that sugge...
In Our Kind by Marvin Harris, the author states that approximately 20% of American men have had sexual contact with other men. The data suggested in 1989, as does it now, that human sexuality can be determined genetically. Some people do have a predisposition for homosexual behavior, or gender behavior that does not align with their sex, early in childhood before puberty. Clearly these people who often come from normal homes should indicate some sort of genetic variation that could create or affect this behavior and therefore not something they have control over. (Harris,
Because there is no definitive evidence that proves people are born gay, people continue to rebuke the idea that someone can be born homosexual. Micheal Brown is an author who believes that there is no specific “gay gene” regardless of the current evidence provided. In all honesty, I’m not certain exactly what kind of evidence he’s looking for but, to him, being born gay is simply an idea that the homosexuality community has taken and ran with. On the contrary, it is stated in his writing that one can still have homosexual attractions but it is their choice on whether they want to act on them. For example, as a woman, I may find another woman attractive thus, I don’t necessary want to have sexual relations with a woman. “Again, this does not
“All men are created equal, No matter how hard you try, you can never erase those words,” Harvey Milk. A homosexual, as defined by the dictionary, is someone of, relating to, or characterized by a tendency to direct sexual desire toward another of the same sex. Homosexuality is ethical, and I will provide rational arguments for, and irrational arguments against the topic. A few objections are as follows: It is forbidden in the Bible and frowned upon by God; It is unnatural; Men and women are needed to reproduce; There are no known examples in nature; and the most common argument that concerns homosexuality is whether it is a choice or human biology.
There is no scientific or medical data that can shed any light, whatsoever, which explains homosexual or even heterosexual sexual drive. For those to feel it is necessary to find a cure to a “problem” such as homosexuality is doing nothing more than acting with prejudice which continues to lead to more oppression. Even though the word treatment holds the connotation of providing a source of help to one who is suffering, it is, again, yet another label on a human being suggesting flaws. It is the continued need to label those who do not fit societal norms that lead to and unending cycle of oppression.
My thesis is whether homosexual orientationis something genetic or something envirmental.There are two main theories as to what causes homosexual attractions. One is that a homosexual orientation is prmarily dictated by genetic and or biological factors This that people being said people are “born gay.” The other theory is that homosexual desirability develops as a result of psychological and environmental influences and experiences as children. Researchers have provided evidence that gay men report having had less loving and more rejecting fathers, and closer relationships with their mothers, than non-gay men.One study reported that homosexual males reported more positive early relationships with mothers than did homosexual females(Ridge
Homosexuality is a genetic predisposition that defines sexual identity. By the time we are born, our DNA has already decided our sexual