Society as a whole has come far on a technological and intellectual basis, yet our compassion and initiative for understanding others is obsolete. Which means there are millions of questions about the human psyche still continuing to be left unanswered. One being the most squawked about, and most controversial discussions to have. It is the truth behind sexual orientation, and whether it is a choice decided upon by the individual or decided for each of us. Without giving much thought an individual may easily say, “Sure. Why not? Every human being is capable of using free will therefore choosing their every action”. Though possessing the ability to freely make decisions, this question is more complex than what may be on the surface. To get …show more content…
The most common theories have to do with genetics and biological causation. Many theories about homosexual men include the presence of older siblings who happen to be male. An occurrence of homosexuals with older male siblings is referred to as The Fraternal Birth Order Effect. The study indicates that homosexual men have a substantial amount of older brothers than heterosexual men do (Raham 1057-1058). Raham also states, “ The estimates odds of being homosexual increase around 33% with each older brother, and statistical modeling using epidemiological procedures suggest approximately 1 in 7 homosexual men may owe their sexual orientation to the FBO effect” (1060). Having older siblings is not the sole factor in the development of sexual orientations. However it is one indicator that can seriously be taken into consideration as a factor. These findings open a window for further exploration because siblings are in a sense an external …show more content…
Even in genetics there is a variation in what one may find. Another study conducted with brothers declare the presence of a specific gene in one brother, and an absence in the other. Referred to as the “gay gene” Xq28 is a chromosome band, genetic marker, positioned at the tip of the X chromosome. One of the most significant findings was that the gene was found in both brothers if they identified as homosexual. Dean Hamer was the face of genetic discovery and continued to break the information down into statistical data. In his studies, he also discovered 23 out of 32 gay brothers (66 %) were found to share the Xq28 markers. In 9 out of 11 families with two homosexual brothers and one heterosexual brother, the heterosexual brother did not have the Xq28 markers that his gay brothers shared (Mbugua 29). All goes to say, even in families the presence of this chromosome band will cause males to be gay rather than straight. Undoubtedly the recurring theme in these studies is the fact that the our multiple inputs for sexual orientation. Some may be found right in one’s DNA, and others from external biological factors. No evidence supported the individual made a conscious choice in their sexual
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.
Most scientists and psychologists believe that homosexuality is caused by a gene determined at birth much like your hair, skin, and eye color are determined, meaning homosexuality is not a choice and is no more a choice than choosing your skin color. Studies known as adoption studies show that sexual preference is genetic by adopting a young infant child and placing them in either a homosexual or h...
I chose this topic because there is an issue of homophobia around the world. I find it interesting as to why people are homosexual, and if there is a gene responsible for this or if it can be developed later in life. This area of research directly relates to the age old question of “nature Vs. nurture”.
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.
Genes are thought to play a critical role in sexual orientation, however which genes are actually contributing this effect is unknown. There are some genes being explored carefully, but there is no strong evidence existing. An example that demonstrates the correlation between genes and sexual orientation is twin studies. Evidence shows when one twin is homosexual the other twin will have a 50% chance of being homosexual as well. There seems to be a high concordance rate of sexual orientation between family members (Broderick & Blewitt, 2015). It is evident, biology play a significant role in the development of sexual orientation, however much research is still being conducted to prove its
What controls a human's sexual orientation? The long-standing debate of nature versus nurture can be extended to explaining human sexual orientation. Is it biological or environmental? The biological explanation has been gaining popularity amongst the scientific community although it is only based on speculations. It is argued that sexual orientation is linked to factors that occur during sexual differentiation. The prenatal exposure to androgens and their affect on the development of the human brain play a pivotal role in sexual orientation (2). Heredity is also part of the debate. Does biology merely provide the slate of neural circuitry upon which sexual orientation is inscribed? Do biological factors directly wire the brain so that it will support a particular orientation? Or do biological factors influence sexual orientation only indirectly?
The first possible cause of homosexuality is genetic factors. Homosexuality is a trait from birth (Buchanan, 2000). Studies found that identical twins share many common traits. A study found that identical twins normally share homosexual behavior if one of them is homosexual. This proved that genes are likely to cause homosexuality. In addition, according to (Santinover, 2002), homosexuality is a heritable behavior. Based on heritability studies, almost any human trait is heritable including the homosexual behavior. He stated that behavioral genes are found in specific chromosome. Thus, the behavior is obviously heritable. Moreover, Italian University of Padova (2004) believes that homosexual trait is passed from mother to male offspring by natural ...
The debate over homosexuality as nature or nurture dominates most topics about homosexuality. People often confuse the nature/nurture issue with the development of gay identity. In fact, the nature/nurture argument plays a small, insignificant role concerning gay youths (Walling 11). Homosexual identity is the view of the self as homosexual in association with romantic and sexual situations (Troiden 46) Many researchers have either discussed or created several models or theories concerning the development of homosexual identity. However, the most prominent is Troiden’s sociological four-stage model of homosexual identity formation. Dr. Richard R. Troiden desc...
According to Jeffrey Satinover, MD, there is no evidence that shows homosexuality is genetic. Stating “homosexuality may run in families but you get viruses from your parents too, and some bad habits…” (Top 10 Pros). Brian S. Mustanski, PhD, agrees that though there may be no ‘gay’ gene, multiple genes potentially interacting with the environment could explain sexual orientation. Ex- gays are living proof that homosexuality is not fixed permanently. Therefore, for someone to be born gay, obviously that person would not be able to change ones sexual preference.
There are several theorists that have presented models on sexual identity development. Many of the models have stages of sexual identity development suggesting that certain characteristics are present during a specific period. However, Anthony D’Augelli presents a model that suggests processes rather than stages. These processes take place over the span of one’s life and not necessarily in any specific order or fashion. D’Augelli’s (1994a) life span model of lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) identity development takes into account “the complex factors that influence the development of people in context over historical time” (Evans et al, 2010). According to D’Augelli’s (1994) theory, identity formation includes three sets of interrelated variables that are involved in identity formation: personal actions and subjectivities, interactive intimacies, and sociohistorical connections. Personal subjectivities and actions include individuals’ perceptions and feelings about their sexual identities as well as actual sexual behaviors and the meanings attached to them. Interactive intimacies include the influences of family, peer group, and intimate partnerships and the meanings attached to experiences with significant others. Sociohistorical connections are defined as the social norms, policies and laws found in various geographical locations and cultures, as well as the values existing during particular historical periods (Evans et al, 2010).
Sexuality is a fundamental part of our self-discovery, involving much more than just being genetically or anatomically male and female and it is not defined solely by one 's sexual acts (Ministry of Education 1989, p.79 cited in Gourlay, P 1995). The notion that sexuality is fixed and innate disregards the social aspects that impact ones’ sexualities. Gagnon and Simon (1973) further commented that sexuality is a feature of social
From the moment people born, there are certain basic functions that will be with them throughout their lives. The abilities to eat, breathe, sleep, or to have the capacity to learn are a natural occurrence for most people. There are, however, traits that are specific to each individual. They are traits that set them apart from everyone else. The traits such as eye color, ones dominate hand, or susceptibility to a specific disease are a few traits that aren’t easily changed. However, there are some that are controversially questioned as to whether or not one is born with the trait or if it is a learned behavior. One of the biggest of these controversies is the question of whether sexual orientation is a choice or something that is beyond the individual’s influence. Although the evidence is commonly disregarded because of personal beliefs or opinions, sexual orientation is not a choice.
My thesis was wrong because teenage boys do not become homosexuals because of the nurturing of society. The nurturing of society helps the teens with a biological predisposition decide whether they want to express themselves freely or hide themselves to avoid humiliation. In the case of Anne Heche since her father died because he kept his sexuality a secret she decided not to keep hers a secret. Also, because the school that Greg went to accepted homosexuality he felt more open to expose his sexuality.(Nardo, 72)
There are many people who are firm believers that if you are gay, you were born that way and it has nothing to do with your surrounding environment. There have been lots of scientific research and studies done to help prove this side. For example, many scientists have done in depth studies on th...
The sexual orientation of a person has been a critical debate over the past several centuries. For several...