Attractions and Behavior Among Young Sexual-Minority Women Over a 2-Year Period - Article Example

Research Paper Analysis: Sexual Identity, Attractions, and Behavior Among Young Sexual-Minority Women Over a 2-Year Period ResearchPaper Analysis: Sexual Identity, Attractions, and Behavior Among Young Sexual-Minority Women Over a 2-Year Period Introduction & Summary The article “Sexual Identity, Attractions, and Behavior Among Young Sexual-Minority Women Over a 2-Year Period” is written by Lisa M. Diamond in the year 2000. The article relates to the topic of sexual minority groups, specifically relating it to females, as they evolve toward the acceptance of their distinct sexual orientation, identity and attractions over a period of 2 years. The article further checks the fluidity of the three factors under review namely, secual attraction, identity and behavior. This article critique will examine and assess the theoretical underpinnings of the article under review. Furthermore, this critique will develop the case for the credibility fo the research methods and the alignment of the article’s findings with existing literature. In addition, the research techniques used (i.e. both quantitative and qualitative) will also be evaluated as per the acceptability and weighing it against the best available practices in research field. As per initial evaluation, the article develops the case in favor of changes that were identified in sexual identities, attractions and behaviors of the sample population (selected female participants) that shown rare sexual orientation. When evaluating the claims made by Diamond (2000), it should be kept in view that people belonging to minority sexual orientations are more likely to face opposition from the society and hence, their actions and behaviors are not the true depiction of their feelings. A misalignment in their behaviors and actions are significant due to the resistance they often come across from the social circles and they tend to react by hiding their true feelings (Bontempo & D’auglli, 2002). As a result, they behave or pretend to act in the manner their surrounding people do and show heterosecual behavior to be accepted by the society. Blake et al. (2001) suggest that such active concealment of the sexual orientation result in the minority groups as per sexual orientation (like lesbians or those showing interest in both genders) to transform and adopt heterosexual behavior for the sake of their assimiliation with the cultural boundaries on homosexuality (Blake, Ledsky, Lehman, Goodenow, Sawyer, & Hack, 2001). Keeping these factors in view, Diamond’s analyses and findings seem to be irrelevant about the changes in sexual behavior and orientations unless the underlying reasons are identified. If the culture or social need to interact with others motivate this change, then age, class or other individual characteristics become irrelevant. Hence, the findings that women changed their behaviors and switched their orientation is either limited in its scope or does not provide a meaningful result for discussion until the factors deriving those changes are identified. Analysis of the Paper The article in review is a longitudinal study with a quantitative stance taken to identify the changes in the seual orientation and behaviors. A sample population of 80 female participants is taken with distinct sexual stance and orientation for the observation purpose over a 2 years time. Convenience sampling was used to select respondents. The methodology and approach of the research paper seemed logical as the respondents and sample population belonged to lesbians and bi-sexual groups that could answer and respond to the interview questions more deeply and with greater insight than others being a part of that very group under review (Cochran & Mays, 1989). In addition, there is also a drawback that the sample taken is too small to generalize the results or findings to the larger population. The results derived from smaller populations may be applicable and true for a specific area, region or group but not to the wider population across geographical boundaries (Diamond, 2000). The article under review further seems to have a weak analysis when discussing changes in sexual orientation, attraction and attitude. It gives a rather elastic gist to sexal orientation by stating tha leasbian may build relationship or show sexual behaviors toward men to attain societal acceptance. Regardless of the act, the lesbian remains in that very sexual orientation until the underlying belief, desire and sexual priorities do not change. Hence, a homosexual person would look for opportunities to have that physical contact and sexual activity with the desired partner group as and when it becomes possible. With this argument the claim of a change in sexual orientation is highly overstated and overwhelmingly optimistic. The article claims a lower fluidity in sexual behavior as a component of sexual orientation and view being developed in the adolescence impacting the personalities in the longrun. Hence, people adopting a particular sexual orientation in their youth remain a part of it whatever transitions they try to bring (Diamond, 2000). The article does not provide the questionnaires used and the hypotheses made explicitly but the reader may deduce it with the flow of information, results and discussions. A more better approach could have been adopted by explicitly stating the hypotheses and making questionnaires available to identify the weaknesses or strengths of the questions and measure accuracy of the results as per the research questions used. The article reveals that those participants belonging to the minority sexual groups that hid their sexual identity in the initial interviews changed their perception and by the end of 2 years they identified themselves as heterosexual, bisexual or homosexual. This does not actually conclude the change of their orientation but rather an acceptance of their orientation and identification with a particular sexual group. In simple words, the participants who were unaware or unable to identify their actual interests during initial interviews identified themselves and found their sexual inetrest groups to belong to. Hence, the identification of ones true sexual ineterst does not count as a change of seual orientation further weaknening the credibility of the results. The research has the strength in utilizing Chi-square to study the change of the seual orientiation of participants which seems to be an appropriate method as per the subjectivity of the data varying from person to person. Findings Below are enlisted the major findings of the review of Diamond (2000) Cognitive patterns related to the sexuality of bisexual females as well as lesbians showed no significant change. Descriptive research was used while developing the study (research paper). No hypothesis or research questions were believed to be produced although the research was one of a quantitative nature. The amount of perceptional change with respect to sexuality was evaluated in the paper. The focus was on females who had no conventional sexual beviour as well as sexual attitude. The paper was designated for a review of such cases over a time period of two years. The change between bisexual females and lesbians were discussed. The change was mainly based perception and behavior. This paper highlighted and focus on this area, which is a highly ignored one, The target populations’ change in perception with respect to its sexuality was assessed through chi square. The technique of sampling chosen for the study was the convenience samply sampling method. Although such data is easy to be collected and as per research many bisexuals and lesbians helped regarding the matter but many of them may have refrained from sharing any such information. Hence this may not be a fair representation of study under consideration The time period as well as sample size used for evaluation is believed to be very less. To draw a conclusion or witness a significant change in the behavior of lesbians and bisexuals it is believed for more meaningful results the research should have been conducted for a longer span of time. Thought is regarded to be the mother to every action carried out by us humans. If one thinks herself of being homosexual, in this study referring to lesbians, then one shall return to being a lesbian as soon as the opportunity exists. This paper has hence failed to consider important aspects, such as orientation, ones behavior and their sexual attitudes, before coming to a conclusion. Conclusion Without any doubt, the paper managed catching the attention of many and highlighting a major issue but the explanation was relatively vague. Furthermore no such meaningful results were obtained during the study. Hence it is concluded as well as recommended that a further research should be carried out regarding the subject. The research should be one of an intensive nature. While carrying out a further research the time span with respect of the change should be considered as it is believed that a small time frame shall reap minimum changed. Also, the sampling method used should give a fair representation of the group or community under study. However, on the other hand, this research paper cannot be concluded as a complete fit for wider populations and across the national boundaries. The issues relating to sexuality, sexual orientation, behaviors and identification with a minority group in this regard are highly related to the cultural factors that prevail. In addition, the weaknesses of the article remain significant like the ignorance to the actual causes of such changes and the factors deriving those changes that are observed. Hence, for a more complete and accurate research result, there is a need to widen the scope in terms of time period, sample size and hypotheses. This article, however, can be seen as an initial step toward a research area of homosexuality. References Blake, S., Ledsky, R., Lehman, ,., Goodenow, C., Sawyer, R., & Hack, T. (2001). Preventing Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Adolescents: The Benefits of Gay-Sensitive HIV Instruction in Schools. American Journal of Public Health Vol 91(6) , pp.940-946. Bontempo, D., & D’auglli, A. (2002). Effects of At-School Victimization and Sexual Orientation on Lesbian, Gay, or Bisexual Youths’ Health Risk Behavior. Journal of Adolescent Health Vol 30 , pp.364-374. Cochran, S., & Mays, V. (1989). Disclosure of Sexual Preference to Physicians by Black Lesbian and Bisexual Women. The Western Journal of Medicine Vol 149(5) , pp.616-619. Diamond, L. (2000). Sexual Identity, Attractions, and Behavior Among Young Sexual-Minority Women Over a 2-Year Period. Developmental Psychology Vol 36(2) , pp. 241-249. Read More