Does Sexual Abuse Lead to Homosexuality?

Since humans have existed, homosexuality has played a part in society. However, it is not until recently that it has become a subculture that was accepted by society, albeit reluctantly so. The history of homosexuality includes centuries of defining the behavior as deviant, and punishing those who partake. In fact, in many cultures around the world, it is not accepted as a right, and the behavior is prohibited. Many factors influence one’s individual acceptance of homosexual behavior, and scientists have studied for years to discover the cause, or causes of homosexuality. Many theories have surfaces, such as homosexuality having a biological cause, or the behavior itself is a personal choice made by the individual. One particular question that is common, however, is “does sexual abuse in children play a role in future homosexuality?” So far, this question has not been answered by scientific research, and there is much debate among scientists as well as individuals as to what the causes of homosexuality are. However, the scientific method can play a part in determining whether or not sexual abuse plays a part in whether or not one becomes a homosexual. In order to determine the appropriateness of researching this topic with the scientific method, the question first is formulated: Does sexual abuse in children lead to homosexuality? The result of this question could have dramatic effects on how we see homosexuality- for instance, if the result of this research shows that every case of homosexuality is a direct result of being abused, it could lead to a great deal of government intervention, in terms of developing more programs preventing sexual abuse. Despite being a relatively accepted subculture in America, it is still a minority which is highly discriminated against, and is still fighting for basic human rights- if the nature of homosexuality is a direct result of an act of abuse, it is preventable and should be looked at as a problem that could possibly be

References: Ellwood, Charles A. 1931 “Scientific Method in Sociology” Retrieved May 5, 2011 from http://www.jstor.org/pss/3006109 The Kinsey Institute, “Photo History” Retrieved May 5, 2011 from http://www.iub.edu/~kinsey/about/photo-tour.html