Homosexuality and Bisexuality
Choosing to have sexual relationship with the same sex is known as homosexuality, the opposite sex (heterosexuality), or both sexes are known as bisexuality. All of these are different types of sexual orientations. In the past there were some people who believed that heterosexuality was what God had said to be normal and good while anything other than that would be the work of the devil or a sin against God. There have been many theories that account for the development of diverse sexual orientations in humans. One of the most influential ones is known as the neurohormonal theory. The neurohormonal theory looks at the prenatal androgen levels, with heterosexual men on the higher end, heterosexual women on the lower end, and homosexual men and women at intermediate levels (Ellis, Ames 1987: 248). With all the studies that have been conducted, it seems that the role of the prenatal sex hormones androgen may give us the different types of sexual orientations.
Biological factors seem to outweigh environmental factors when it comes to contributing to sexual orientations. Not saying that environmental factors do not contribute to developing sexual orientations, because that still remains uncertain at the moment. Biologists would strongly disagree while psychologists would agree that environmental factors influence sexual orientation. If a person growing up is sexually abused or neglected, or lived in a dominantly paternal or maternal environment, Psychologists would argue that these types of factors can contribute to shaping a person’s sexual identity. Joan Roughgarden would argue that a person’s sexual orientation is like a person’s accent. It’s developed at a very early age and most people can’t change it while others can. (Roughgarden 2009: 256) Though the accents are not genetic, they are thick most of the times because of the secluded surrounding environment that people live in for long extended periods of times that helps keep it intact. An
Biological factors seem to outweigh environmental factors when it comes to contributing to sexual orientations. Not saying that environmental factors do not contribute to developing sexual orientations, because that still remains uncertain at the moment. Biologists would strongly disagree while psychologists would agree that environmental factors influence sexual orientation. If a person growing up is sexually abused or neglected, or lived in a dominantly paternal or maternal environment, Psychologists would argue that these types of factors can contribute to shaping a person’s sexual identity. Joan Roughgarden would argue that a person’s sexual orientation is like a person’s accent. It’s developed at a very early age and most people can’t change it while others can. (Roughgarden 2009: 256) Though the accents are not genetic, they are thick most of the times because of the secluded surrounding environment that people live in for long extended periods of times that helps keep it intact. An
References: 1) Miller, Hoffmann, and Brian S. Mustanksi. “Fluctuating Asymmetry and Sexual Orientation in Men and Women.” Archives of Sexual Behavior (2007). Accessed November 23, 2011. doi: 10.1007/s10508-007-9256-2 2) Lee Ellis and Ashley M. Ames. “Neurohormonal Functioning and Sexual Orientation: A Theory of Homosexuality-Heterosexuality.” American Psychological Association 101 (1987): 233-258. Accessed November 23, 2011. doi: 0033- 2909/S7/S00.75 3) Mustanksi, Chivers, and J. M. Bailey. “A Critical Review of Recent Biological Research on Human Sexual Orientation.” Annual Review of Sex Research 13 (2002): 89-140. Accessed November 23, 2011. 4)