The Kinsey Scale
Human Sexuality 21
Professor Lanoix
December 4, 2012
Pros and Cons of the Kinsey’s Scale Sex was such a horrible topic to talk about, but a biologist of Indiana University introduced a scale that broke the silence. The silence changed due to this biologist named Alfred C. Kinsey (1894-1956). Kinsey broke the silence because before the scale everyone would keep their sexual orientation to themselves and most likely did not tell anyone. In other words, he was a great influence to people because since then people have become a bit more open about themselves. The importance of Kinsey is that he has conducted several of researches. For instance, on one of his research he found out that many people had sexual experiences with both female and male. He concluded from his research that there is diversity in sexual behaviors. Therefore, he created a scale where people can go and set their sexual orientations, such as it contains the person’s sexual behaviors with same sex or other sex. Sexual orientation is very important to an individual because it establishes who they are, such as being homosexual, asexual, bisexual, and heterosexual. Even though there are many pros behind Kinsey’s scale, some cons do exist. The author, Kinsey, developed a seven-point scale known as the Heterosexual-Homosexual Rating Scale, better known as the “Kinsey Scale.” Although this scale has been widely accepted by researchers and sexologists throughout the years, it is not always accepted by the general public or the society in which we live in. Sexuality is immensely intricate, and the Kinsey Scale seems to simplify sexuality for most. Just like any other scientific finding, the Kinsey Scale has its strengths and weaknesses. For instance, the weaknesses of the Kinsey Scale are that some people may feel like they do not fit into any of these seven categories. Whether the Kinsey Scale is accepted by many or accepted by none, society will continue to categorize others into discrete
Professor Lanoix
December 4, 2012
Pros and Cons of the Kinsey’s Scale Sex was such a horrible topic to talk about, but a biologist of Indiana University introduced a scale that broke the silence. The silence changed due to this biologist named Alfred C. Kinsey (1894-1956). Kinsey broke the silence because before the scale everyone would keep their sexual orientation to themselves and most likely did not tell anyone. In other words, he was a great influence to people because since then people have become a bit more open about themselves. The importance of Kinsey is that he has conducted several of researches. For instance, on one of his research he found out that many people had sexual experiences with both female and male. He concluded from his research that there is diversity in sexual behaviors. Therefore, he created a scale where people can go and set their sexual orientations, such as it contains the person’s sexual behaviors with same sex or other sex. Sexual orientation is very important to an individual because it establishes who they are, such as being homosexual, asexual, bisexual, and heterosexual. Even though there are many pros behind Kinsey’s scale, some cons do exist. The author, Kinsey, developed a seven-point scale known as the Heterosexual-Homosexual Rating Scale, better known as the “Kinsey Scale.” Although this scale has been widely accepted by researchers and sexologists throughout the years, it is not always accepted by the general public or the society in which we live in. Sexuality is immensely intricate, and the Kinsey Scale seems to simplify sexuality for most. Just like any other scientific finding, the Kinsey Scale has its strengths and weaknesses. For instance, the weaknesses of the Kinsey Scale are that some people may feel like they do not fit into any of these seven categories. Whether the Kinsey Scale is accepted by many or accepted by none, society will continue to categorize others into discrete
References: Sayad, B. et al. 2010. Human Sexuality: Diversity in Contemporary America (7th edition). Boston: McGraw Hill. Stacey, Judith and Timothy J. Biblarz. 2001. (How) Does The Sexual Orientation of Parents Matter?. American Sociological Review 66(1):159-183.