Sexual Attraction Flexibility: Sex Differences

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Table of Contents

Article Analysis
Supporting Example
Contradictory Example
Research Ideas
Conclusion
References

Human sexuality is among the most debatable research topics that refer to the complexity of interpersonal relationships, especially when it comes to sexual fluidity and its peculiarities in men and women. The given aspect can be considered the most powerful driving force that makes a person achieve success and develop his/her personal and professional qualities (LeVay, 2016). Sexual desire towards a certain individual also preconditions particular changes in behaviors to meet the existing stereotypes.

There are some behavioral models utilized by various genders to successfully enter in heterosexual relationships, and the approaches typically used by gender-conforming men and women are greatly different. At the same time, sexual orientation has certain flexibility that might result in reconsideration of heterosexual preferences and engagement in homosexual bond. The given changes impact communities and behavioral models in various ways, which preconditions the stable interest to them. Thus, the flexibility of sexual orientation in men and women differs because of significant gender peculiarities.

Article Analysis

The topicality of the given issue results in the emergence of multiple research works devoted to its in-depth analysis. For instance, Kinnish, Strassberg, and Turner (2005) delve into the peculiarities of sexual orientation. Sexual orientation remains one of the central aspects regulating relations within communities and social intercourse, which explains the interest to its stability and flexibility (Kinnish et al., 2005).

The primary aim of the paper is the analysis of males and females regarding their preferences and their changes in a particular period of time. The doctrine that dominated in past several decades stated that sexual orientation is resistant to change and is an early-determined aspect of all human beings, and Kinnish et al. (2005) critically analyze this viewpoint.

In order to test the validity of the aforementioned conclusions, the authors focus on the three basic dimensions of sexual orientation which are sexual fantasy, romantic attraction, and sexual behavior and distinguish between three categories of sexual orientation (homosexual, bisexual, heterosexual) (Kinninsh et al., 2005). These elements are critical for the research as their alterations will prove the existence of particular flexibility in both men and women.

The participants aged 36 to 60 were to report if there were any changes that could show the existence of particular flexibility in their attitudes to the opposite sex. The given approach combines both simplicity because of the absence of complex measurements of tools and efficiency as all data collected during the study can be considered credible.

For data collection, the participants were asked to conduct the assessment by themselves and complete a self-report survey, and the diversity of research subjects had numerous benefits for the research. First of all, the question about the fundamental stability or flexibility of sexual orientation has previously been studied regardless of the aspect of sex (Kinnish et al., 2005). It means that the comparison of the frequency of hypothetical changes in males and females has never been made. For this reason, by introducing the given methodology, the authors of the project aim at the investigation of how flexibility of sexual orientation can differ in men and women. Moreover, they also analyze the impact of initial orientation (heterosexual, homosexual, and bisexual) on the expected changes and what is their direction.

Thus, in the course of the research, Kinnish et al. (2005) come to the conclusion that there is credible evidence of the flexibility of sexual orientation. The fact is that sex differences were observed in the majority of classification groups (Kinnish et al., 2005). Having analyzed data collected via previously distributed questionnaires, the authors come to the conclusion that there are significant changes in orientation over time for gays and heterosexuals (Kinnish et al., 2005).

Moreover, women are more inclined to alteration of their preferences as they reported a greater change in orientation (it includes fantasies, attraction, and behavior). Finally, bisexual men and women have similar rates of sexual flexibility as their reports about orientation do not indicate the existence of a particular difference. That is why the authors conclude about the irrelevance of the previous doctrine stating that there are in-born patterns followed by individuals during their lifespan.

Altogether, the paper manages to prove the existence of great sexual diversity among people and demonstrate that preference changes in both sexes occur due to multiple reasons. This conclusion can become an important fact contributing to the reconsideration of the past doctrines. At the same time, the proven flexibility of sexual orientation can be used to explain the emergence of unexpected behavioral patterns among men and women at different stages of their lives resulting the in the growing dissatisfaction with their private lives and current partners.

Moreover, flexibility of sexuality can prove the need to the more detailed investigation of factors that might impact the emergence of various fantasies or ideas in heterosexual, gay, or bisexual individuals. In such a way, the authors managed to contribute to the development and improved understanding of the given issue.

Supporting Example

The information provided in the given article can be considered relevant regarding the current trends in relations. The given statement can be supported by the real-life example. A heterosexual male of 29 years had several partners and his first relationships were short-term, but he had been living with his last girlfriend for two years. At the very beginning of this intercourse, both partners were satisfied with the quality of their sex life.

The regularity of their sex acts was appropriate for their age. However, in the course of time, the male stated to avoid contacts because of the growth of dissatisfaction with his current relations. The lack of understanding between the partners also impacted the quality of their sex life and its frequency. The developing conflict resulted in the breach in relations because of the inability to understand each other and satisfy a partner. Soon after the man found another partner; however, it was another man who had already recognized his sexual orientation.

In such a way, one can observe that sexual orientation of the discussed heterosexual male altered. At the very beginning of his private life, he was satisfied with female partners, which is proven by the number of heterosexual relationships and the frequency of sexual acts. However, having engaged in continuous relations, the growing dissatisfaction started to impact his attitude towards a partner.

From the man’s words, he started to think about the absence of a particular element in their everyday activity and routine life. At the same time, he reports that the unwillingness to have sex was unconscious along with the growing interest to males. Finally, after the break, trying to acquire a new experience, he entered relations with another man which helped to recognize the change of the sexual orientation for the heterosexual to homosexual one.

The given example evidences the high flexibility of sexual orientation peculiar to men and the presence of numerous factors impacting the change. However, the heterosexual male can have various behavioral patterns and preferences throughout his life. The information presented in the paper by Kinnish et al. (2005) is supported by the example. It means that there is a certain degree of flexibility that might trigger the alteration of attitudes towards their desired partners.

Moreover, the previous experience of positive relations with partners of opposite sex does not mean that a person will preserve the same inclinations in the future (Lippa, Marelich, & Patterson, 2010). This case is a perfect demonstration of the outdated character of the theory stating that sexuality is a constant aspect that cannot be changed in time. On the contrary, the variety peculiar to all human being can result in the emergence of various preferences throughout the time and precondition the alteration in sexual orientation.

Contradictory Example

As it has been stated, there are some opposite theories assuming that individuals have the inborn orientation that cannot be changed in the course of time. The given statement can be supported by the example of a 45-year woman who is married and has 2 children. Analyzing her current sexual experience, she admits that there has never been a desire to try a partner of the same sex. In other words, she cannot doubt her heterosexuality that remains the dominant sexual orientation. From her words, the stability of her preferences is apparent and she cannot imagine herself in same-sex relationships. Answering about the flexibility of this aspect, she doubts this idea by emphasizing her own experience and outlining the critical role of stability in relations and creation of a happy family.

In such a way, the given case can be considered an example that can be used to support the opposite opinion promoting the stable character of sexual orientation. At the same time, it contradicts to the results of the research discussed above as they outline the changeable nature of the given aspect. Moreover, the article by Kinnish et al. (2005) assume that women possess more flexible sexual orientation as there are more cases of its alteration in reports collected during the research.

It means that the paper might have several limitations preconditioned by the fact that married individuals who have children can have different attitudes to the choice of partners and their fantasies (LeVay, 2016). To some degree, it can be preconditioned by the social pressure and the impact of other factors such as moral, and the necessity to raise children on their own examples.

The given contradictory opinion can exist in modern literature and be supported by various researchers. However, regarding the latest tendencies in the given sphere along with the growing number of investigations devoted to peculiarities of sexual life, the idea of the high flexibility of the orientation becomes dominant (LeVay, 2016). Kinnish et al. (2005), as well as a number of other investigators, prove this idea with the help of self-reports and self-evaluations.

People might still be ashamed of these changes because of the outdated stereotypes about the necessity to suppress any fantasies about the representatives of the same sex; however, the increasing number of investigations in the given sphere proves that this trait is peculiar to many individuals. In such a way, the assumption about the flexibility of sexual orientation replaces the old idea of its stable character and should be applied to the topic to acquire credible outcomes.

Research Ideas

The variables used to define the flexibility of sexual preferences include sexual orientation with its three dimensions such as “fantasy, romantic attraction, and sexual behavior”, heterosexual, homosexual, and bisexual preferences (Kinnish et al., 2005, p. 173). Speaking about what is known about the mentioned variables in the existing literature, it is pivotal to note that the work by Kinnish et al. (2005) runs counter to many studies that regard sexual orientation as an unchangeable characteristic and relate it to the degree of gender conformity in the childhood.

Importantly, in the existing but outdated literature, the variables that refer to the “unwanted” orientation are studied with special attention to the situational and compensatory character of sexual preference (Kinnish et al., 2005). Based on this example, it can be supposed that the commonly taken approach to studying these variables is biased.

The study by Kinnish et al. (2005) and the works that they review to conduct their own research have limitations that may need to be considered to produce new research ideas. First of all, Kinnish et al. (2005) do not analyze the factors that may prevent people from demonstrating the change in preferences. The first research idea to be proposed refers to the need to analyze the participants’ marital status. It can be supposed that the inclusion of heterosexuals’ marital status in the research would help dispel the myths, according to which same-sex relationships are certain sexual experiments that end with the start of married life.

The reasons why a certain individual has altered his/her sexual orientation should be considered. The fact is that the negative experience of previous relations or other social factors can affect people and precondition the emergence of different sexual preferences. For this reason, the investigation of these factors is critical for the research devoted to the discussed topic. First, it will help to determine whether there is the existence of a correlation between society and individuals’ sexual orientation. Second, consideration of the given element will become critical to explain the ground for the growing flexibility of the aspect in the context of social conditioning.

What is more, it can be supposed that the credibility of findings concerning the flexibility of sexual preference in men and women increases if social factors are taken into account. The factors that could help provide more accurate results include religious affiliation, the attitudes to bisexuality/homosexuality in participants’ families, and the degrees of hostility towards sexual minorities in participants’ communities.

The study by Kinnish et al. (2005) does not include the analysis of these factors’ role in self-determination, which can affect the credibility of final results. It can be predicted that the use of social factors in the research would help re-interpret the results, bearing in mind the cases of suppressed homosexuality and bisexuality. Also, it will be possible to compare sexual fluidity rates in female and male participants from homophobic and non-homophobic backgrounds to add to the existing body of knowledge.

Conclusion

Altogether, sexual orientation remains one of the critical factors that impact people’s lives and their relations with other individuals. One of the perspectives on this aspect states that it remains stable throughout live as all human beings are born with a particular set of preferences. However, the investigation of Kinnish et al. (2005) refutes the given hypothesis by proving the fact that all individuals, heterosexual, homosexual, and bisexual ones can alter their sexual orientation.

This assumption is supported by reports of participants who outlined their fantasies and their changes. There are also real-life examples evidencing the high flexibility of this aspect. At the same time, the in-depth investigation of the problem can demand more attention to the role of marital status, previous sexual experience, and social factors in sexual fluidity.

References

Hammack, P., Frosy, D., & Huges, S. (2018). Queer intimacies: A new paradigm for the study of relationship diversity. Journal of Sex Research, 1-37. Web.

Kinnish, K., Strassberg, D., & Turner, C. (2005). Sex differences in the flexibility of sexual orientation: A multidimensional retrospective assessment. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 34(2), 173-183. Web.

LeVay, S. (2016). Gay, straight, and the reason why: The science of sexual orientation (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Lippa, R., Marelich, W., & Patterson, T. (2010). Looking at and longing for male and female “swimsuit models”: Men are much more category specific than women. Social Psychological and Personality Science 1(3), 238-245. Web.

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