Modern Day Sexuality - Report Example

Modern Day Sexuality Modern Day Sexuality Homosexuality is an act that has been repressed in society over the years as an immoral deed. In the ancient times, homosexuals were largely discriminated, and some even faced the death penalty. Some were burnt at the stake while others were stoned or devoured alive by dogs. Based on the cultures in most societies, people were brought up “straight”, meaning they were taught about marriage between man and woman. Women were taught how to be wives to the men betrothed to them while men were taught how to be providers and protectors to their families. It continued to the next generation and the next, which made homosexuality a rare occurrence. Homosexuality was primarily coined in the early 19th century from the term heterosexual (Crompton, 2006). However, people practiced it in secret. There were few communities that accepted same-sex relations. For example, a group of people in South Pacific considered heterosexuals queer to homosexuals. They mentored their children to embrace homosexuality. The Western countries are now following the trend. Homosexuality has become normal that it has been legalised in numerous states. Homosexuality is not condemned as much as before thanks to the laws and enlightenment. The media also plays a significant role in supporting because ethics prevent them from taking sides on such issues. The legalisation of homosexuality does not guarantee acceptance in society. People still disapprove of it based on their upbringing or their religion. There are those who perceive it as a mental state problem or an inborn condition. Some believe that it is due to a traumatic past experiences such as rape or bad relationships. A majority of people believe that people turn gay out of peer influence. Teenagers who have not understood their sexuality may experiment the act and finding it more fun, which later makes it difficult for them to have a heterosexual relationship. The behaviour is then perpetuated when one is brought up in a gay family. Children brought up with homosexual sibling or relatives grow up with the understanding that it is an okay deed. Some even become sexually abused by a gay family member or slowly are introduced to the act and in turn practice it elsewhere. In other cases of sodomy, the young victims never get to experience sex with women and hence continue in it. Majority of the homosexuals adopt children whom they raise to accept same-sex relationships. They are even taught about the act by their gay parents and in turn introduce their friends into it. Children undergoing traumatic rape experiences like sodomy are likely to do the same to other young boys. It becomes a chain of events that are difficult to overcome, and only psychological treatment can help (Shidlo, Schroeder, & Drescher, 2007). Another reason people choose to be gay is when they lose their sexual urge with women. Research has shown that most lesbians have undergone traumatic past experiences with men either through rape, recurring bad relationship or have grown up in a broken family where the father was physically abusive to the mother and sexually abusive. There are those who were treated better by women than men. Girls exposed to such experiences develop hatred towards men, which makes them prefer lesbians. Equally, women who have had continuous bad relationships with men tend to look for love and comfort from other women, making them remain in same-sex relationships for life. Research has shown that women love a man who gives her gifts and supports her in the things that she does (Shidlo, Schroeder, & Drescher, 2007). If she finds that in a fellow woman, she may end up walking away from a relationship that she does not give any of those treatments proving that a bad relationship may cause a woman to become a homosexual. Broken homes have a strong influence on homosexuals because they grow up thinking that opposite-sex relationships do not work and that same-sex relationships are better since there is an understanding of thoughts, emotions and physic. The legalization of homosexuality in America has encouraged many people to engage themselves in the act despite the religious norms (Haggerty, 2010). It is becoming increasing in that some parents support their children who wish to be homosexuals. The only people firmly standing against homosexuality in America are people who are seriously following Christianity and Islamic religion that find the act ungodly and immoral. Christianity teaches against homosexuality and sexual immorality. According to their religious book, the Bible, it clearly outlines how God despises the act and even at one time killed a whole nation because of Sodomy. The word sodomy came from the word Sodom which was a nation that was highly involved in homosexuality and God’s wrath fell upon the nation and killed them. This has made Christians stand against homosexuality by following their religion and teaching young children against it. Islamic states such as Saudi Arabia strongly stand against the act and punish those involved in it by a death penalty, even to date. Homosexuals live in fear that they go into hiding protect themselves from such penalties. Despite the religious teachings and upbringing, same-sex sexuality is becoming more rampant in the society. With the support of the pro-homosexual politicians who fight for the rights of the homosexuals by ensuring that the law protects them, they are taking the battle to schools. They have advocated curricula that encourage tolerance for same-sex relationships. However, just like Christianity, the Islamic religion, strives hard to rid the society of homosexuality. Sharia teaching shows that homosexuality is a vile form of fornication that is punishable by death. Studies show that many Islamic scholars consider all humans to be heterosexuals. They consider homosexuality a health hazard for the people and the society at large. Societal attitudes differ in different cultures and historical practices. Some countries support the act to the extent of having legal recognition, anti-discrimination laws for the homosexuals, same-sex marriage. One is said to have the right to engage in homosexuality if they are of legal age (Slick, 2014). The more people fight against same-sex sexuality, the more it becomes increasing as they will fight for their rights and winning the government support in turn. Investigations have shown that the act of homosexuality has so many negative influences on the society than it does positive impacts. Scientists have shown it to be a mental problem from past experiences of homosexuals that cause them to take such a direction. Many of the homosexuals do not prove to live a fulfilled life. A huge percentage of same-sex relationships have not lasted. Some of them have walked out on their spouses and gotten involved with the opposite sex. Same-sex relationships have shown that fewer people remain monogamous and sexually faithful. They practice sexual relations with different partners, which bring about health conditions such as HIV Aids, a case that is of great interest to the world, especially in trying to curb the epidemic. Another reason the society stands against same-sex relations is that in such relationships, fewer children are raised. Same-sex relations can only adopt children since they cannot conceive a child together. A child requires a stable home with a mother and father figure that have a normal upbringing. The society is against same same-sex couples raising children because children in such relations grow up without a father figure in the case of lesbianism or a mother’s nurture in gay situations. Homosexuality also reduces the rate of childbirth because the couples cannot conceive. Some women may feel the need to have a family of their own, which makes them turn to a man-woman kind of relationship. This also adds to the reasons why same-sex relations are short-lived. The most common effect that the same-sex relationships have in the society is that they tend to prey on children (Heffner, 2008). Sodomy is a serious offence in the society that people who sodomize under-aged children are jailed for years. Research has shown that 73% of men have had sexual relations with children who are under the age of 19 years. This has been seen as a very negative aspect on homosexuals as they are viewed as rapists of children. The society stands against it. Despite all the negative effects, the homosexuals have come up with a phrase “Sexual Orientation” that refers to who or what a particular person is attracted. It is said to help the homosexuals look less disturbing as they are by making themselves look vulnerable to the society and in turn they will have support for their actions. Conclusion Homosexuals have fought to obtain a place in society. They have come a long way in ending the death penalty that was imposed on them because of their sexual orientation. The changes that have occurred to nations have guaranteed their security, at least in most liberal societies. However, the act is far from being accepted into the norms of the people. A majority of people believe that one turns to homosexuality because of traumatising experiences, they hardly accept that it is a biological state that one cannot fight. The debate is still on, with homosexuals pushing for their rights, the opposition is equally strong, especially since many eventually turn to heterosexual relationships. References Crompton, L. (2006). Homosexuality and civilization. New York: Harvard University Press. Haggerty, G. (2010). Deviant Teaching. In D. Halperin, A companion to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer studies (pp. 146–167). London: Wiley-Blackwell. Heffner, D. C. (2008, April 30). allpsych corporation. Retrieved March 16, 2015, from allpsych corporation website: http://allpsych.com/journal/homosexuality/#.VQcPco7s6wo Shidlo, A., Schroeder, M., & Drescher, J. (2007). Sexual conversion therapy: Ethical, clinical, and research perspectives. New York: Haworth Medical Press. Slick, M. (2014, June 24). carm organisation. Retrieved March 16, 2015, from carm organisation website: https://carm.org/christianity-and-homosexuality Read More