Homosexuality – Nature or Nurture?

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Whether homosexuality is by chance or by choice is a public, scientific and governmental debate that will not soon be settled. Homosexuals make a choice to identify with and participate in the gay subculture. But is homosexuality itself a choice? Are they born gay or was this particular lifestyle a choice and is this decision making process possibly altered due to psychological abnormalities caused by childhood events? Is it possible that being gay is a combination of both nature and nurture? Does homosexuality cross cultural boundaries with any consistencies? A study of 375 homosexual men in Brazil, Guatemala, Peru, the Philippines, Thailand and the United States consistently found that 25 percent of homosexual men display highly gender atypical behavior, while 50 percent showed marked gender atypical behavior as young children (Whitam, Mathy, 1986). Choice, convoluted or not, or chance, nature or nurture, the controversial topic will be discussed using persuasive arguments from both sides of the issue.

There is a great deal of controversy as to whether homosexuality is genetic or environmental in origin. Homosexuals are very much looking for any scientific confirmation that would verify that they were born as homosexuals. And why shouldn’t they for if God made them that way then it is not their fault they are homosexual and therefore it is permissible to act out their sorted desires. Research of any kind whether credible or not that might suggest a genetic origin is quickly offered as an explanation. But the vested interest that homosexuals have often prevent them from seeing the obvious.

Many environmental factors can occur early in the development of a child that can easily lead one to believe that once a predisposition towards homosexuality has developed they feel they must have been born that way. But even if one has a predisposition towards homosexuality, they are not necessarily homosexual. However, a predisposition must be added to other factors to produce a homosexual. “This formula can be illustrated in this way; a predisposition toward homosexuality plus that first homosexual experience multiplied by pleasurable and positive homosexual thoughts to which is added more homosexual experiences multiplied by more pleasurable thoughts equals a homosexual” (Copeland, 2001). When one has a previous predisposition towards homosexuality, is then exposed to homosexual experiences and can pleasurably reflect upon them, a powerful attraction a created that is hard to conquer. So powerful can these experiences and reflections be that one not need to have developed a predisposition to be drawn into this sort of behavior (Copeland, 2001).

There seems to have been a restoration of homosexuality as a psychosis over the past several years within psychiatry and psychology circles. Maybe a reaction to the political correctness era of the 1990s, it seems as if many professionals were intimidated into silence for a time. With the recent conservative swing of society these professionals now seem to feel anger regarding the issue and want to vent their inflexible views on homosexuality. “Charles Socarides, a clinical professor of psychiatry at Albert Einstein College of Medicine has written many books and articles over the past 25 years reiterating his belief that homosexuality is a disorder.

In August 1997, The Washington Post quoted him as saying, ‘Homosexuality is a psychological and psychiatric disorder. It is a purple menace that is threatening the proper design of gender distinctions in society” (Eidenberg, 1998). In a letter to The Wall Street Journal, members of the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality, a coalition of therapists who argue that they can cure homosexuality, stated that “many of the young men who have died of AIDS have sought treatment for their homosexuality and were denied knowledge and hope. Many of them would be alive today if they had only been told where to find the help they sought” (Eidenberg, 1998). What they are saying, in effect, is that gay activists are killing their friends and lovers.

Yet these sentiments are not shared by everyone. “Human beings can not choose to be either gay or straight” (Answers, 2003). Sexual orientation materializes for most people in early teenage years without any previous sexual experience. People may choose whether or not to act on their feelings but psychologists do not consider sexual orientation to be a mindful option that can be voluntarily chosen. “Originally thought by the American Psychological Association to be a mental disorder, research into its causes, origins, and development have consequently led to its removal by the APA from its list of diagnoses and disorders” (Answers, 2003).

Many theories abound regarding the origins of a person’s sexual orientation. Most scientists today concur that sexual orientation is probably the result of a complex interaction of environmental, cognitive and biological factors. “In most people, sexual orientation is shaped at an early age. There is also considerable recent evidence to suggest that biology, including genetic or inborn hormonal factors, play a significant role in a person’s sexuality” (Answers, 2003). It is important to note that there are almost certainly many rationales for a person’s sexual orientation and the reasons may vary for different people (Answers, 2003).

Arguments claiming homosexuality is not a choice are based on a myriad of examples of people who are gay despite adverse circumstances like harassment and familial estrangement. Homosexuality is a biological behavior. As evidence, being gay is not exclusive to homo-sapiens. It has been found that many mammalian species have been observed exhibiting homosexual conduct. “In some primate species, males who are denied mating opportunities by stronger, more dominant males or males who are sexually immature will often be seen performing sexual acts to each other. Some may even continue this behavior long into adulthood” (Critser, 2004). Long-lasting homosexual relationships subsist beyond humanity. “Homosexual acts occur in countless animal societies, but more male and female homosexual pairs form in numerous primates, mainly chimpanzees and orangutans and these pairs will remain faithful to each other for many years. Male dolphins will also form long lasting unions in which the couple, even though they are part of a larger group, will only perform mating-like, or stimulatory behavior on each other” (Critser, 2004).

Is it possible that being gay is a combination of both nature and nurture elements? The available research seems to suggest a combination of the two in varying degrees in most cases while no evidence seems to exist that answers the question definitively one way or the other. Either way, researchers will continue to hunt for the origin of homosexuality while people argue the moral and philosophical implications. Many paths have been explored, from isolating DNA to observing gay animals, but as of yet, no one concrete explanation of homosexuality has been found. And even if it were, would society accept it? Two hot topics involving homosexuals suggest the answer is no. Gay couples exhibit similar family and societal values as those the traditional couple do while engaged in the activities of their daily lives. Other than the fact that one couple is of the same sex and the other is not, the neighbors would notice no difference. They cherish and are involved in family life, abide by the law and are committed to making their communities a better place for all to live. The issue of gays in the military is far from simple and a topic of heated debate. The main argument against concerns privacy and troop morale while the argument for is based on defending the uniquely American concept of personal freedom that the troops are fighting to protect, among other objectives. Some suggest that bigotry and ignorance is the root cause of the opposition to gays serving their country, that troop morale is just an excuse used to deny American citizens their civil liberties.

Works Cited

“Answers to Your Questions About Sexual Orientation and Homosexuality.” American Psychological Association. 2009. Web.

Copeland, Mark A. “Homosexuality: A Christian Perspective.” Executable Outlines. (2001). Web.

Critser, Bart. “Homosexuality is Natural.” The Daily Free Press. (2004). Web.

Eidenberg, David. “It’s All in Your Head – Psychoanalyst Richard Isay Discusses Homosexuality as Pathology.” (1998). The Advocate.

Whitam, Frederick & Mathy, Robin. “Male Homsexuality in Four Societies: Brazil, Guatemala, the Philippines and the United States.” New York: Praeger, (1986).

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Homosexuality – Nature or Nurture?

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