Homosexuality: Nature or Nurture - Term Paper Example

? Homosexuality: Nature or Nurture? 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. But the vested interest that homosexuals have often prevent them from taking a broad view. Many environmental factors can occur early in the development of a child that can lead individuals to believe that they must have been born that way. But even if one has a predisposition towards homosexuality, they are not necessarily homosexual. 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 does 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 psychiatric and psychological circles. 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 by insisting on acceptance rather than treatment. 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. It is difficult to find a case in which a homosexual individual is predisposed toward homosexuality through their genetics without also finding that this individual has had psychological or social ‘encouragement’ in some form. The ethics of developing tests to try to gauge if homosexuality can be considered completely genetic or completely psychological seem to place such testing out of reach. The implications of this suggestion, that homosexuality is brought about by both nature and nurture will perhaps help to focus the discussion in more beneficial directions. It is not doubted that researchers will continue to hunt for the origin of homosexuality while laypeople 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 biologic explanation of homosexuality has been found. It must be accepted that environment plays a role in individual development and only when this is accepted can more positive approaches be taken toward helping these individuals find a means of living happy, healthy, fulfilling lives within the lifestyle of their choice. References “Answers to Your Questions About Sexual Orientation and Homosexuality.” (April 11, 2003). American Psychological Association. Available April 18, 2011 from Copeland, Mark A. “Homosexuality: A Christian Perspective.” (2001). Executable Outlines. Available April 18, 2011 from Critser, Bart. “Homosexuality is Natural.” (April 7, 2004). The Daily Free Press. Eidenberg, David. “It’s All in Your Head – Psychoanalyst Richard Isay Discusses Homosexuality as Pathology.” May 26, 1998. The Advocate. Whitam, Frederick & Mathy, Robin. (1986). Male Homsexuality in Four Societies: Brazil, Guatemala, the Philippines and the United States. New York: Praeger. Read More