Most Important Factors in the Development of Sexual Orientation - Literature review Example

Sexual Orientation Introduction According to LeVay, “biological processes of brain development may influence a man’s sexual orientation” (LeVay, . This critical statement has claimed that human beings sexual orientation mainly depends on the biological processes (LeVay, 2010). However, in the due course of human civilization, it has been recognized that human beings often make their own choices in terms of sexual orientation. With the modernization of society in the past few decades, a new type of social trend has come which has somewhat contradicted the presented scientific perspective driven notion of LeVay. With the help of psychological studies, modern society has burgeoning awareness of lesbian, bisexual and gay issues (Eckes & Trautner, 2000). This kind of awareness creates a new overview among human beings. In the earlier societies, human beings had been often aware of their sexual orientations such as lesbian, bisexual and gay (Dominguez, 2002). Nonetheless, most of human beings felt shy about introducing themselves in front of the commoners as a gay, bisexual or lesbian. At present through, the entire scenario has transformed significantly in many societies especially the western world wherein individuals are becoming much more forthright to come out in open about their sexual preferences (Colapinto, 2000). In this regard, American Psychological Association refers sexual orientation as a permanent form of romantic, emotional as well as sexual attractions between same and opposite gender (Eibl-Eibesfeldt, 2007; Faderman, 1991; Eysenck, 1985; Freud,1905/1975). With these comprehensions, the study intends to explain the development diverse sexual orientations amid human beings based on scientific understanding. Most Important Factors in the Development of Sexual Orientation Sexual orientation is an amalgamation of hormonal, genetic along with environmental impacts. Due to hormonal effects, sexual orientation has been observed to be developing among same gender (Fruth & Hohmann, 2006; Freud,1920/1955). Sexual orientation is mainly based on an individual’s attraction to both genders. On the other hand, sexual orientation is a consequence of an intricate interaction of ecological, biological as well cognitive factors. In general, sexual orientation has been mainly based on behavior of human beings. The sexual inclination is influenced by many factors, which is often derived to be changeable over time. The main factors of sexual orientation are influenced by choice of actual sex partner along with desire to have children. Most of the times, it has been viewed that due to curiosity, human beings often get engaged in sexual orientation beyond common societal norms. Physical and romantic attraction is a human behavior which enables to develop sexual attraction among similar as well as opposite genders (Clark, 2007). However, physical and romantic attraction is one main factors of sexual orientation. The facet of emotional feeling is another important factor of sexual orientation. Different ranges of feelings and hormonal effects make one human being different from the other. It is important to recognize that there are probably many factors for a person’s sexual orientation. Psychologically, human behavior is the main reason of sexual orientation among individuals (Gazzaniga, 2008; Geist, 1971). Differences in the Development of Sexual Orientation for Males and Females Based on the behavior genetic studies, sexual orientation has developed due to different situations. In the first phrase of life, due to gender nonconformity children are engaged in sexual orientation. At the time of childhood, children are comfortable with same gender. As per the studies, it has been recognized that in childhood phrase children are likely to have same gender partners. This liking slowly transforms into attraction among same sex (Churchill, 1967). Due to different reasons, gender nonconformity development ensues among children such as a lack of parent attention or less awareness of human feeling. Researchers have provided evidence that childhood family practices are an important cause to homosexually as well as parents’ negative behavior creates gender-variant traits in a child. From the research, it has been ascertained that children who experience maternal separation often less want to marry opposite sex than those growing up in complete families. For men, same-sex marriage is associated with certain important characteristics having divorced parents, absent dads and due to the scenario of being the youngest kid (Chauncey, 1994). Conversely, for women, maternal demise during youth and being the only youngest child or sole daughter in the family increase the likelihood of same-sex marriage. Moreover, it has been recognized that an older brother upsurges a man’s sexual orientation towards an individual of same gender. Due to urbanization, environment driven sexual orientation also develops among men and women. From the studies, it has been found that people of urban cities mostly engage with same-sex relationship (Halpern, 2000; Hamer & Copeland, 1994; Green, 1987). Evolution The main aim of evolutionary psychologists is to examine psychological traits such as emotions, language along with cognition from modern perspective. In keeping with the psychological studies, sexual orientation is a term used to describe human emotional, sexual as well as romantic attraction. Sexual orientation exists among same sex or opposite gender. Heterosexuality, homosexuality and bisexuality are common forms of sexual orientation. With the help of psychological studies, psychologists evaluate these three forms skillfully (Chauncey,1994). At the same time, to understand sexual orientation in another biological interpretation is also needed. According to evolutionary biologists, evolution driven sexual orientation is a generic and hormonal effect, which develops physical and romantic attractions among same sex or opposite sex (Buss, 2000). Sexual Orientation Based On Research on Other Animals Including Other Higher Primates Through different studies, it has been recognized that sexual orientation and allied human behavior is found in other animals including other higher primates as well. Researches specify that numerous forms of sexual behaviors include engagement, affection parenting and pair bonding that are determined within the animal kingdom. Researchers during their studies have observed that animal kingdom depict much larger sexual diversity through homosexual and bisexual behaviors than it was being previously comprehended. A number of the animals that have used utilized in laboratory-based studies related to homosexuality do not act to impulsively show theses propensities at times in the wild (Bouchard et. al., 1999).Certain researchers consider that sexual orientation behavior has its basis in male social organization as well as social authority. The instance of Penguin species where same-sex entities mate for life and decline to pair with females when given the change explains that animals develop sexual orientation according to their preference. While reports on many such breeding scenarios are still only subjective, a developing body of scientific work endorses that enduring homosexuality transpires in types with stable pair bonds (Becker et. al., 2002). It has been also ascertained from studies that around 8% sheep reveal sexual preferences for male partners in contrast to other sheep, which prefer female partners. Consequently, it can be asserted that sexual orientation has been prevalent in different spheres animal kingdom and other higher primates (Isay, 2006; Isay, 1989; Kennedy & Davis, 1983; Herdt, 1981; Harry & DeVall, 1978;). Scientific Evidences That Help Us to Understand the Development of Diverse Sexual Orientation(s) In day-to-day society, there are various examples that help to understand the development of diverse sexual orientation(s). For instance, among animals, researchers have recognized sexual orientation. In the modern scenario, in most of the urban cities, sexual orientation has been apparent amid human beings of different social class (Baron-Cohen, 2003). People of different age groups are now engaged in sexual orientation. With the help of psychological studies, it has been proven that past experiences of childhood and adulthood make an individual to either be a homosexual, bisexual or a heterosexual. Due to different behavioral traits and hormonal changes, there is a development of sexual orientation among human beings. To avoid emotional turmoil and other problems, people at times choose same-sex partners or bisexual partner (Kimura, 1999; Kennedy, 1988). On the other hand, to fulfill physical or mental desires human beings engage in relationships with same-sex or opposite sex individuals. For example, in the play “Oedipus the King”, the main character Oedipus unintentionally married his own mother because the boy remains fixed on his mother for 2 to 3 years. From this play, it has been evident that to fulfill the mental desire, the main character married his mother. The apparent evidence of different sets of behavior is interpreted through these evidences. Contextually, animals develop relationship with same sex. Homosexuality has been witnessed most in animals than human beings (LeVay, 2010; Långström et. al., 2010; Kotrschal et. al., 2006; Koerner & LeVay, 2000). Factors That Can Explain the Persistence of Different Sexual Orientations throughout Evolutionary History Throughout the evolutionary history, it has been witnessed that main factors of different sexual orientations are human behavior and desire. During the 1940s and 1950s, sexual behavior was largely evidenced to be influenced by varied feelings such as a woman in prison to fulfill her physical desire engaged with a partner who is from same-gender. Correspondingly, experiences of childhood such as parent separation or having another young brother also acted as catalysts to develop sexual orientation among human beings (Bagemihl,1999). In the 18th century, the propensity towards romantic attraction among men and women enabled to largely develop heterosexuality as a prevalent norm within the society. Bisexuality has also been witnessed amid men and women over the years. It happens due to sexual attractions and hormonal effects amid human beings (Adkins-Regan, 2005). Human behavior and its various traits are the main reasons for sexual orientation. Physical and emotional factors are the key drivers of different sexual orientations throughout evolutionary history (Adkins-Regan, 2005). Conclusion Based on the foregoing analysis, it can be comprehended that sexual orientation is a very sensitive and emotional expression of human beings. Sexual orientation has been observed in human beings and within animals as well. Heterosexuality, gay, and lesbianism are all emotion expressions of human being. Due to varied reasons, sexual orientation has been developing among individuals. Childhood and adulthood experience generate the pattern of sexual orientation within human beings. In the childhood, parent separation, presence of other younger brother, or death of one parent can create physical as well as emotional attractions amid children. Sexual orientation has also been apparently witnessed amid animals. For instance, male sheep create relationships within same sex. Homosexuality, bisexuality and heterosexuality are primarily formed due to physical and emotional attractions. According to sociobiologists, sexual orientation often develops due to emotional turmoil experienced from opposite genders. Therefore, based on different derived evidences it is interpreted that sexual orientation can emerge within human beings due to a multitude of reasons which can depend of societal structure and pas experiences as well. References Adkins-Regan, E., (2005). Hormones and animal social behavior. United States Of America: Princeton University Press. Bagemihl, B., (1999). Biological exuberance: animal homosexuality and natural diversity. New York: St. Martin’s Press. Baron-Cohen, S., (2003). The essential difference: men, women, and the extreme male brain. New York: Penguin. Becker, J. B., Breedlove, S. M., Crews, D. & McCarthy, M. M. (Eds.), (2002). Behavioral Endocrinology (2nd. Ed.). 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