Essay on The Psychology of Homosexuality

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”

“While I don 't believe the environment can "make someone gay", it certainly can influence their willingness to accept their sexuality and/or to "come out" to others. In communities where intolerance is frowned upon and society in general is "gay-friendly", a gay child is more likely to feel comfortable both with his/her own sexual orientation, and with sharing this information with family or friends. On the other hand, in places where homosexuality is frowned upon or even punished, they are more likely to keep it hidden, or even deny it to themselves.

“Is Sexual Orientation Determined at Birth” explains this: “Thus, homosexuality, in my view, is an adaptation, not an inborn trait.” As a child, one might experience an upheaval in their life. A distressing childhood, neglect, or abuse are examples of trauma that can scar a human’s psychological mindset. Homosexuality is a response to these harmful experiences that can cause individuals to reject one gender over another, or simply to become confused with their own identity and attractions. Parents might unintentionally show their children neglect, which will create a child who’s thoughts are distorted as to what love truly

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

A child, whether the gender is a boy or girl learns how to behave from birth that role. We realize what is anticipated from our sexual orientation from what our parents teach us. In additionally what we get at school, in the media, and different other social institutions. A father might teach

Homosexuality is most commonly described as being physically, or sexually attracted to the same sex. Varying from person to person, some people believe homosexuality is natural and others say it is a choice to be made. Homosexuality is not a choice, it is natural and it is caused by hormonal changes, DNA epi-mark alterations, and brain physicality. Studies completed in universities around the world like Mercer, and Cambridge have helped strengthen the case of homosexuality being natural.

To begin with, it is important to know that family constellations among lesbian- and gay parented families are largely quite different from the heterosexually ( straight)

However, the researcher added that hypotheses are still under revision and further research must be done to solidify their claims. This research was conducted over an extended period of time with the same participants. The researchers purpose was to determine whether there is a difference in behavior of children raised by lesbian parents and if there is, what the cause of the difference may be. At the end of the article, the researcher claimed that children raised by lesbian parents have higher self-esteem, confidence, grades, and less behavioral problems than children of heterosexual families because of greater parental investment by lesbian mothers (Park,

There is much debate that homosexuality is a developmental problem caused by a weak bond between a father and son during one’s childhood. A failed relationship with one’s father can lead the boy to not fully internalize male gender identity and develop homosexually (Baird & Baird, 1995). Consider the gender development of identity. Infants indentify with their mother who is the first and primary source of nurturance and care. As girls age, they continue to identify mostly with their mother and boys shift towards their father. Through a father-son relationship, masculine identification is attained which is necessary if the boy is to develop a normally masculine personality (i.e. heterosexuality). This development task helps explain why boys have more difficulty than girls in developing gender identity and may also explain the higher ratio of male to female homosexuality (Baird & Baird, 1995). It is important that

Even though there have been a lot of studies that indicate the biological bases of homosexuality, there are adequate evidence that prove that homosexuality might be base on nurture. Studies conducted by Kinsey in the 1940s imply that homosexuality is a learned behavior [3]. This study stipulate that homosexuality can be influence by your environment and early homosexual experiences. It can also be cause by family abnormality. Most social theorists believe that a child’s play pattern, early peer interaction, and familial patterns can determine sexual orientation. Social theorists such as Jean Foucault believe that homosexuality is a sexual preference.

Based on the life stories he heard, Freud assumed that homosexual men reversed their internal gender role to satisfy the unrequited attraction to their mothers (LeVay 2011: 29). Freud’s experiences with his clients does not count as evidence for the theory (LeVay 2011: 33). The conflict with the so-called oedipal complex is not a sufficient ground for sexual orientation, since there are many homosexuals who are comfortable identifying with conventional gender types as well as have good parental relationships. One can safely say that parental relationship is not the cause of sexual orientation, but another aspect of life may be.

In addition, homosexuality can also be caused by biological factors. The first biological factor is hormonal imbalances in the body. Hormones play an important role in stimulating one’s intensity of sexuality. Estrogen is normally associated with female and testosterone with the male. A homosexual man is likely to have either more estrogen or less testosterone and vice versa (Buchanan, 2000). Furthermore, sexual orientation is developed in the womb, as suggested by Bogaert (2006). He said a woman body may prompt an immune reaction on the male fetus as the body sees a male fetus as an ‘outsider’. Therefore, antibodies will be created and this may affect the male’s brain growth. This explains why older brothers are more likely to be gay. In addition to that, homosexual males’ brain structures are similar to heterosexual females. According to Rahman (2008), these brain differences may develop early in the feotal development.

Many experiments in the biological perspective have been done to support that nature plays a role in homosexuals. Biologist have found anatomical, genetic, and endocrine evidence in homosexuals. Alfred Kinsey was one of the first researchers to study homosexual behavior (Heffner & Johnson, 2003). Alfred intention was to see how many people were engaged in homosexuality. In this study, participants replied “no” when using the term homosexual relations, but replied yes when asked have they have sex with the same gender. The findings in this study highlighted that 30% of the males had experienced same sex interaction (Heffenr &Johnson, 2003).

The psychoanalytical theory is based on the works of Sigmund Freud, who believed that children go through different stages of development. And he concluded that, "the homosexual is fixated at an immature stage of development." When evaluated, psychoanalytic theory is said to, "…operate under the assumption that homosexuality is deviant or abnormal." And even though Freud came to accept that homosexuality is normal sexual behavior in his later writings, it did not have as much of an impact compared to his earlier writings. The third theory is the learning theory, which emphasizes the idea that sexual orientation is learned. "People are born sexual, not heterosexual or homosexual. Only through learning does one of these behaviors become more likely than the other." One of the examples that they give includes a girl whose first heterosexual sex experience was through rape. She is then likely to try to avoid the unpleasantness of her first experience with heterosexual sex by becoming homosexual.

Homosexuality is one of the most controversial topics in the world today. Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalyst had his theory on human sexuality and claims, “ all human beings were innately bisexual, and that they become heterosexual or homosexual as a result of their experiences with parents and others.” Many people view it as a natural thing, but others think it is absolutely wrong and utterly a personal choice. The Bible, other religions, and the world all have different opinions on this subject. Homosexuality is a matter with many different viewpoints.