Is Homosexuality Or Not?

An advocate of the nurture theory would probably say that homosexuality is as a result of the way in which individuals are grown. So for example if a male is grown by his mom in a single parent household and is grown to be more sensitive than other males; the likely of him

A great number of the gay community, however, hopes that the basis for homosexuality will be biological (Steen 188). Many parents that have homosexual children do not want to be associated with the theory of environmental factors, because they believe they did not contribute to make their children homosexual (Baird and Baird 73). They believe that if it is biological, it will mean it is part of life and not a choice they made (Steen 188). Understanding the human body and the factors that can affect the body is drastically important to most humans, which is why a lot of psychologist are so curious about the basis of homosexuality. Now the real question is, to what extent does homosexuality have a biological basis?

A highly debated issue concerning homosexuality is whether sexual-orientation is biologically determined or if it is a socially learned behavior. One case study done about this topic gathered that “the homosexual desire seems in most cases to be implanted in those who develop an unusually strong attachment for one parent” (Cory 1951:67). This seems to suggest that homosexuality can be influenced by family structure or other sociological elements. On the other side of this argument, there is the belief that people are born either gay or straight. Even though there is no scientific or genetic evidence to prove this, there have been many studies done and most homosexuals interviewed take this view-point. McIntosh states, “[homosexuality] is still commonly seen as a condition characterizing certain persons in the way that birthplace or deformity might characterize them” (1968:182). To support their cause and to fight for acceptance in society, it would be beneficial to convince people that sexual orientation is biologically determined. “Research indicates that people who believe that homosexuality is a choice are more likely to condemn it than are those who believe gays and lesbians are born that way”

Another research suggests that sexual orientation is impacted by a gene or genes found on the X chromosome. Though genetic tendencies for homosexuality may be passed from mothers to their children (Rahman & Wilson, 2003). During human evolution, homosexuality was developed to minimize competition between males for a limited number of potential female mates (Schulling, 2004).

If sexuality is developed at an early stage in a person’s life, then how does homosexuality occur? Homosexuality in Darwin’s selection theory doesn’t even exist. (Roughgarden, 2009, 127) Some say that it’s based on the person’s surrounding environment and influences while others say that it’s purely genetic. There has been substantial evidence that points to both genetic and environmental factors in developing homosexuality, but no one factor that clearly pushes over the top to define the origins of homosexuality. Statistically if a male is straight then there is a 4% percent chance that his brother might be gay, but if the male himself is gay, then the percentage jumps to 22%. (Roughgarden 2009: 247) These statistics simply show that gay males tend to group in families, it doesn’t necessarily point out anything specific about the environment’s effects or the male’s genetic makeup. (Roughgarden, 2009, 247)

The nurture concept of homosexuality include elements which influence a human’s sexual relationship likes social, parental and environment variables. A total opposite from the idea of the nature concept, a nurtured homosexual person is one that is “made” gay or lesbian.

In one article by Marcia Malory, “Homosexuality & Choice: Are Gay People ‘Born This Way’”, she goes into multiple studies on the genetics of a gay child's parents. A study conducted in 1993 the “gay gene” matter arose when it was looked into the homosexual children's parents having a different X chromosome marker. Nonetheless genes do not control our behavior completely as does environment. The brain may also play a role in sexual preference, like the study in 1991 showing the difference in neurons and pituitary glands. Later in the 2000s more studies showed that gay men have more symmetrical hemisphere and amygdala resembles that of women's. The brain develops in the womb and continues through late adulthood. When did a fetus choose its

Research has been conducted over the years and scientist and doctors have yet to find proof that sexual orientation is determined at birth. As a matter of fact sexual orientation is not determined at birth, it’s an adaptation not an inborn trait. With this said, there are many reasons to believe that statement, there is no research to support the claim of there being a “gay gene” or being “born gay” and our human bodies were designed for reproduction, and all people are created by God who states homosexuality is a sin.

There are multiple theories people hold on how they believe homosexuality started or is generally caused. However, after multiple studies and ongoing research the likelihood that it is nature, rather than nurture, based is going strong. Although, as of now, there has been no exact consensus among researchers, after examining possible genetic, hormonal, developmental, social, and/or cultural influences, to prove that homosexuality is completely one or the other, but it is usually found that people cannot choose their sexual orientation, but rather only

The world has come very far with all the dramatic changes we have faced over the years. Wouldn’t you agree? As much change as the world has been through there are still numerous social problems that still exist in society today. Amongst those numerous social problems, sexual orientation and inequality stand out to me. Research from biology, psychology, and sociology is where our understanding of sexual orientation comes from. There are two hypothetical theories researchers have discovered examining the biological basis toward sexual orientation. One concept is the neurohormonal theory, biologist contend that homosexuality is caused by abnormal sex hormone levels in utero. The alternative theory is based on behavioral genetics, determining the source and magnitude of genetic impact on sexual orientation. This theory suggested the concept that gay men were genetically female. Later this theory was proven to be false. Homosexuality was considered as a pathology or mental illness. Not every psychologists agreed with that perspective. A researcher by the name of Havelock Ellis stated that homosexuality was congenital and for that reason it could not be considered as a disease. Sigmund Freud another theorist had the concept that everyone is born bisexual and that either homosexuality or heterosexuality is developed through social and personal experience. Ellis and Freud both concurred that homosexuality was not a mental illness. Despite these researchers’ opinions in 1973,

Since homosexuality is said to be a behavioral trait then it can't be genetic. A behavioral trait is programmed by many genes rather than just by one gene. And the environment, these are just two of the many factors that that effect a behavioral trait. Whereas a genetic trait is affected by one gene, an example of a genetic trait is eye color. There are many ways of comparing genetic traits to behavioral traits but of all of the ways one could use ratios. For instance genetic trait has a ratio of 1 gene plus 0 environmental factors to 1 genetic trait, whereas a behavioral trait has a ratio of more than 1 gene plus more than 1 environmental factor to 1 behavioral trait.

It has long been debated where our sexual orientation comes from, particularly whether its biological or social forces driving these behaviors. In regards to homosexuality and bisexuals, some have argued that it may be a choice that these individuals are making.(Levay 2012: 41)Some have even said it is a mental disorder that one can recover from, but there is plenty of data that says otherwise.(Levay 2012: 41)(Levay 2012: 65) I believe diverse sexual orientations develop in humans due to sex hormones during fetal life, gene influences, and other effects such as birth order influences. I’ve come to this conclusion based on the narrative provided via Dr. Simon LeVay’s book Gay Straight, and the Reason Why, and the research that has been compiled showing strong influences from a multitude or reasons. I will also be looking at a research paper by Francesca Iemmola and Andrea Camperio Ciani, who looked into genetic factors influencing sexual orientation in men. It is clear there are gender differences between men and women, and this is probably one of the strongest indicators that hormones can affect the outcome of variations in gender traits.

what ever decision has been made, it has been done so on the basis of

If the argument of homosexual animals is not convincing enough, one must also consider the possibility of genetics. There is research suggesting that certain genetic markers on the x-chromosome are associated with homosexuality: “Using genetic mapping, the team found that a set of five genetic markers at the tip of the long arm of the X chromosome were identical in 33 of 40 pairs of homosexual brothers” (Journal Watch). This does not positively conclude that a person will be gay if he or she has these markers, but it does suggest that there are genetic factors at play rather than sexuality being merely a choice. Much of this research was done in 1993, and: “The same year, a study of twins found a significantly higher correlation of sexual orientation between identical as opposed to fraternal twins” (Bernstein 34). Two people with the same genetic makeup are more likely to both be gay or both be straight than two people with similar but not quite identical genetics.

This question has been asked for many years: is being homosexual a decision, or are people born that way? During the1990’s people thought it was an illness or a disgrace to the family, but now homosexuals are perceived differently due to studies. Neuroscientists of the Christianity Today Newspaper, argue that homosexuality can be a natural response of the hypothalamus itself based on the size of hypothalamus the child is born with. Neuroscientists have questioned “does its size determine homosexuality, or does homosexuality determine its size?” (Dallas). Yet, no one can be sure since the test was done on two deceased men. This being said, people can believe homosexuality is a gene that they are born with. This situation has aroused through this century as research rises concerning behaviors from the structures of the brain. In order to continue to convince the reader that people can be born homosexual and it is not a choice that they make as they grow. The article “Born Gay?” written by