The Social Construction of Sexual Orientation - Essay Example

Sexual Orientation al Affiliation) The definitions of sexual orientation reflect the debate between the theoretical positions held by theological and scientific viewpoints. A cognitive sociological approach to the analysis of the variant positions within this debate allows researchers and theorists to take concern of the distinct theoretical positions categorized as natural, social and empty thoughts (Crowley, 2008). Standard content analysis and grounded theory methods are styles designated to analyze the strategies, principles, and practices that each community uses to group individuals into different sexual categories. This analysis, therefore, reveals the theoretical perspectives of the theological and scientific viewpoints in relation to the topic of sexual orientation. Introduction This paper scrutinizes sexuality and the social construction of sexual orientation by illustrating the identity of homosexuality through its progression, development, and transformation. The creation of several sexual categories has perpetuated acts of discrimination and growth of varying stereotypical attitudes. This paper will illustrate how individual and institutional level harms have accrued due to the dichotomization of sexuality, and how these categories have contributed to the formation of cohesive and supportive communities (Masango, 2002). Sexual orientation refers to the adult sexual desires, attractions, fantasies, and expressions towards other adult women or men. The orientation of an individual is indefinite until he or she becomes an emerging or legitimate adult. Many societies view early adolescent and pubertal behavior as the exploratory indicator of an individual’s future sexual orientation. On the other hand, physiologists distinguish sexual orientation from attractions towards adolescents and minor children, an act they term as ephebophilia and pedophilia respectively (Kinney, 2015). This paper aims to dissect the concepts of epistemology, worldview, and sociology in relation to homosexuality as a sexual orientation choice. In addition to that, the paper will outline the various sociological and theological viewpoints that different societies have concerning this topic. Epistemology Section Sexual orientation is only one aspect of the wider sexual identity. The other components of sexual identity include the natal gender, the gender identity, and the social sex role. The above identities are independent of the others. This explains the notion behind why a masculine female should not be assumed to have attractions towards fellow women (LeVay & Hamer, 1994). The concern over binary categories is outstanding particularly within gender and sex paradigms. From historical perspectives, heterosexuality and homosexuality are recent developments that came to formalization barely three decades ago. In fact, same sex attractions were common before such vocabulary, as homosexuality existed. As an example, the practice of pedestry in ancient Greece involved older males engaging in sexual activity with younger boys. At this time, the belief was that it was a common practice for warriors to be attracted to women, while engaging in same sex practices. However, a shift in the 12th century would significantly alter the political and social attitude of homosexuality. The Catholic Church highlighted its position on this matter, which they had remained silent about for many years (Williams, 1987). Their position promoted the belief that practicing same sex marriage was parallel to sexual deviance. This transition altered people’s thinking about same sex relationships, and deemed it as a product of moral insanity. Homosexuality, in line with the above knowledge on the empirical, theological and sociological concepts is better understood by the empirical concept. The sexual orientation of individuals is dependent on the sexual identity of the individual. Having homosexual experiences appears to be quite common in the society, but the identity and behavior are different. Given the recent anti discrimination laws, the geographical, cultural, and temporal contexts of homosexuality are insignificant. In addition to that, homosexuality is a practice that exists across all cultures, religions, and social backgrounds (Giuseppe, 2015). Worldview section Sexual orientation requires that men get attracted to women as women get attracted to men. That basic human personality defines the sexual identity of individuals. Despite the fact that no scientific theory exists to substantiate the causes of homosexuality, studies indicate that sexual orientation associated with environmental, hormonal and genetic factors are inconclusive. To be human, therefore, same sex attractions are considered a negative development. The nature of the world towards homosexuality is varying. Human diversity poses a challenge to many people to embrace homosexuality, as plans to implement the Sexual Orientation Change Efforts seem to fail. Sexual orientation is no longer considered as an individual’s conscious preference or choice. Instead, a number of social, biological, political, cultural and economic factors influence this choice. The above network of complicated components forms the nature of the world towards homosexuality. To prove this, the number of agencies that campaign for the recognition of gay and lesbian rights keeps growing (Timelessness and Time Dependence of Human Consciousness From a Scientific Western Viewpoint, 2014). Nevertheless, the transformation of the world towards accepting and formalizing same sex attractions is encouraged by the growth of many human rights protection agencies. Many experimental and constitutional factors have contributed to the growth and development of homosexuality. From the above assumptions, came the parental closeness and rearing styles such as dominant mothers or fathers that could encourage homosexual behaviors in children. Henceforth, the parents feel extremely responsible for their children’s sexual orientation, given the increase awareness on the role of parents in nurturing their children’s sexuality (Village & Francis, 2008). Fixing the gaps in the world begins with a change in the social perceptions about homosexuality. The myth that homosexuality is a result of poor parenting should be replaced by the reality that gays and lesbians originate from a wide variety of family backgrounds, which constitute both the good and the bad. In addition to that, the religious leaders should remain steadfast in shunning homosexuality instead of changing their opinion based on the increased human activism on equal rights for all (Whitehead, 2013). At individual levels, sex education does not eliminate innocence from an individual. Many young people engage in same sex practices as a trial and error method of learning. Therefore, the transformation in the society can champion change in the individual, despite the fact that stigmatization will hinder these individuals for changing their homosexual lifestyle. Literature Review Communities represent mental gatherings that often influence the experiences and thoughts of groups of people. This explains the psychological perception related to homosexuality. Individuals at large think in the same manner as the members of their groups. Many attitudes towards homosexuality today are formed based not on pre scientific understandings of human sexuality, instead on psychological perspectives of the issues. According to the Thomistic theology and Darwinian Evolutionism, sexual expression is a biologically driven process that aims at procreation. All the other sexual activities are deviations from the natural purpose of sex. From the theological viewpoint, the psychological perception of sex for other purposes other than procreation is viewed as sickness, sin, immorality, criminal and anti social. Natural law theories, therefore, could promote prostitution as more natural than homosexuality (Keenan, 2001). Homosexuality, therefore, does not translate to mental illness. Societal perception on the practice of homosexuality causes individuals depression and distress and contributes largely to the negative self-image that homosexual individuals have about their sexual orientation. Discussion The estimates of homosexuality vary widely, depending on the definitions used. Recent attempts have been made to estimate the behavior relating to homosexuality in populations. Across a national study of 2,601 adults in United States, 4.6% and 11.2% of women and men respectively recorded at least one same sex adult sexual encounter. 2.7% and 6.1% of women and men respectively reported the same trend in the previous year. In my interview, I discover that many men practicing same sex practices are married (Kinney, 2015). On the other hand, many women practicing same sex encounters are single and yet to be married. My conclusion on this issue, therefore, is that most people with predominant homosexual feelings and attractions identify themselves internally and publicly as exclusive heterosexuals. Through my interview, I discover that most people have attractions towards the opposite gender. On the other hand, some same sex attractions are attributed to the common part of human sexual experience. Moreover, an exclusive to predominant adult same sex attraction appears to be normal part of life. Through the interview, I ascertain that the social perceptions about homosexuality hinder the chances of many people of this sexual orientation to reform (Kinney, 2015). The society believes that gays and lesbians lead sad lives that are full of self-pity, self-hatred, and loneliness due to the meaningless relationships. On the contrary, most homosexuals report being secure in their relationships, self-accepting and happy despite the difficulties they encounter for the non-accepting society. Many people have formed opinions that homosexual relationships often translate to homosexual marriages. As depicted in my interview, many men who practice same sex encounters are married to women. This indicates that gays and lesbians have a variety of lifestyles. The quality of relationships varies in ways that are similar to those of their heterosexual counterparts. In conclusion, homosexuality is a sexual orientation that is based on the social, religious, and individual upbringing of an individual (Crowley, 2008). In as much as sexual orientation is not a clear indication of an individual’s metal health, the mental comfort of homosexual individuals depends largely on the environmental and societal perceptions of their sexual orientation. References Crowley, P. (2008). Homosexuality and the Counsel of the Cross: A Clarification. Theological Studies,69(3), 637-640. doi:10.1177/004056390806900307 Giuseppe, M. (2015). Homosexuality elsewhere: young migrants, sexuality and transcultural identity strategies. Academicus International Scientific Journal, 12, 120-133. doi:10.7336/academicus.2015.12.07 Keenan, J. (2001). Book Review: The Silence of Sodom: Homosexuality in Modern Catholicism.Theological Studies, 62(1), 184-186. doi:10.1177/004056390106200128 Kinney, R. (2015). Homosexuality and scientific evidence: On suspect anecdotes, antiquated data, and broad generalizations. The Linacre Quarterly, 150323070749003. doi:10.1179/2050854915y.0000000002 LeVay, S., & Hamer, D. (1994). Evidence for a Biological Influence in Male Homosexuality. Sci Am,270(5), 44-49. doi:10.1038/scientificamerican0594-44 Masango, M. (2002). Homosexuality: A challenge to African churches. HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies, 58(3). doi:10.4102/hts.v58i3.596 Timelessness and Time Dependence of Human Consciousness From a Scientific Western Viewpoint. (2014). PS, 04(08). doi:10.17265/2159-5313/2014.08.001 Village, A., & Francis, L. (2008). Attitude Toward Homosexuality among Anglicans in England: the Effects of Theological Orientation and Personality. Journal Of Empirical Theology, 21(1), 68-87. doi:10.1163/092229308x310740 Whitehead, A. (2013). Gendered Organizations and Inequality Regimes: Gender, Homosexuality, and Inequality Within Religious Congregations. Journal For The Scientific Study Of Religion, 52(3), 476-493. doi:10.1111/jssr.12051 Williams, B. (1987). Homosexuality: The New Vatican Statement. Theological Studies, 48(2), 259-277. doi:10.1177/004056398704800202 Read More