Sexual Orientations PDF

158 Chapter 9 Sexual Orientations ♦ Definition of Sexual Orientation sexual orientation -the type of sexual attraction that a person has towards other people -This attraction is usually based on the biological sex of the person. In other words, t...

158 Chapter 9 Sexual Orientations ♦ Definition of Sexual Orientation sexual orientation -the type of sexual attraction that a person has towards other people -This attraction is usually based on the biological sex of the person. In other words, the type of biological sex (male, female, both, or neither) that turns you on sexually is your sexual orientation. ♦ Types of Sexual Orientations -There are 5 major types of sexual orientations: heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, asexuality, and pansexuality. 1. heterosexuality -sexual attraction towards only members of the opposite sex -A man is considered to be heterosexual if he is sexually attracted only to women; a female is considered to be heterosexual if she is sexually attracted only to men. -A heterosexual person is also referred to as straight. -Although heterosexuals are usually attracted only to members of the opposite sex, studies indicate that there are some heterosexuals who, on occasion, have some degree of sexual interest and/or experience with someone of the same sex; these individuals still consider themselves to be straight and are referred to as mostly straight. -Most people in the United States (about 90% of the population) and throughout the world (about 80% of the population) identify as heterosexual, which means that heterosexuality is the most common sexual orientation.  159 2. homosexuality -sexual attraction towards only members of the same sex -A man is considered to be homosexual if he is sexually attracted only to men; a woman is considered to be homosexual if she is sexually attracted only to women. -The terms homosexual and gay are synonymous. -However, a female who is gay is often referred to as a lesbian. -About 3% of the U.S. population identifies as homosexual. -The Gay Lifestyle -Homosexual lifestyles are just as varied as heterosexual lifestyles: all social classes, occupations, races, religions, and political persuasions are represented among homosexual people. -Despite their many similarities to heterosexual people and the wide variety of their lifestyles, stereotypes about homosexual people exist; many of these stereotypes concern physical appearance. -It is true that some homosexual individuals dress and act according to commonly held stereotypes; but there are also many homosexuals who do not fit these stereotypes. gay male stereotypes Gay men make exaggerated “feminine” gestures. Gay men wear flamboyant (flashy) clothing. lesbian stereotypes Lesbians have short hair. Lesbians wear masculine clothing. Lesbians make “masculine” gestures. -Since stereotypes are not a good indicator of sexual orientation, you never know who is gay, straight, bisexual, asexual, or pansexual. -Coming Out -Homosexuals who are secretive about their sexual orientation are said to be in the closet. -When homosexual individuals come out of the closet, they decide to be open about their sexual orientation. coming out -the process of becoming aware of and disclosing one’s sexuality -Note that the term coming out is usually used by people whose sexuality is not heterosexuality (in other words, people who are homosexual, bisexual, asexual, or pansexual).  160 2. homosexuality (continued) -There are 3 major steps to the process of coming out: self- acknowledgment, self-acceptance, and disclosure. a. self-acknowledgment -During this step, the person realizes and acknowledges that their sexuality is different than the mainstream cis-gender heterosexual model. b. self-acceptance -During this step, the person accepts and embraces their sexuality. c. disclosure -During this step, the person becomes open to others about their sexuality. -The Double Minority: Homosexuality and Ethnicity -Gay ethnic minority individuals have to learn to live in three different communities—ethnic, gay, and the larger society. -To a greater extent than white homosexuals, gays, lesbians, and bisexuals from ethnic groups with traditional values are more likely to stay in the closet and suffer from depression and anxiety because of their sexual orientation than to be open and face alienation from their families and cultural heritage. In general, the African-American community has stronger negative views of homosexuals than does white society; the influence of strong fundamentalist Christian beliefs contributes to the higher degree of intolerance in the black community. The Latino cultural emphasis on machismo often results in gay Latinos maintaining secrecy about their sexual orientation. The Asian cultural influence on loyalty and conformity to one’s family often prevents many Asian homosexuals from coming out. -Gay ethnic self-help, social, and political organizations have been developed to manage these dilemmas and to enhance the sense of belonging. -Aspects of Gay and Lesbian Relationships -One study that compared characteristics of homosexual and heterosexual relationships found major differences: Heterosexual couples were likely to adhere more closely to traditional gender-role expectations than were homosexual couples. -Most of the homosexual relationships studied were egalitarian and resembled “best friendships” combined with romantic and erotic attraction.  161 3. bisexuality -sexual attraction towards members of both sexes -A man is considered to be bisexual if he is sexually attracted to both men and women; likewise, a woman is considered to be bisexual is she is attracted to both men and women. -About 4% of the U.S. population identifies as bisexual. -Types of Bisexuality -There are several types of bisexuality: bisexuality as a real orientation -This refers to those people who are truly attracted to both men and women and have had this attraction for essentially their entire lives. bisexuality as a transitory (temporary) orientation -The person is either heterosexual or homosexual, but becomes bisexual because of the current circumstance (prison, single-sex boarding school, or a ship out at sea for several months). -Once the circumstance no longer exists, the person returns to being heterosexual or homosexual. bisexuality as a transitional orientation -The person is changing orientation gradually from heterosexuality to homosexuality or vice versa. bisexuality as homosexual denial -The person has homosexual relationships or desires (usually in private) and heterosexual relationships (in public) in order to avoid being perceived as homosexual. -For example, a gay man marries a woman for show but has homosexual relationships with and desires for men. 4. asexuality -the lack of sexual attraction towards members of either sex -Research indicates that most asexual people have been asexual throughout their lives, and most do not feel distress about their lack of sexual interest. -Asexual individuals are also likely to never have sexual fantasies. -Although asexual individuals lack sexual attraction towards others, they typically still masturbate as a means of gratifying their sexual needs. -Therefore, asexuality does not necessarily mean a lack of sexual activity. -In addition, asexual people vary in their interests in developing friendships, expressing affection and romance, and establishing partnerships, including marriage. -About 1% of the U.S. population identifies as asexual.  162 5. pansexuality -sexual attraction towards other people regardless of their sex or gender identity -Because pansexual individuals typically reject the traditional gender binary and are open to relationships with people who do not identify as strictly men or women, pansexuality is considered to be more inclusive than bisexuality. -About 1% of the U.S. population identifies as pansexual. ♦ Causation of Sexual Orientations -The causation of sexual orientations is an area of active research; no single explanation for what causes sexual orientations has been definitively proven at this point. -However, clues about the causation of sexual orientations have been elucidated from studies about the potential causes of homosexuality. -Let’s first examine this research and then from there develop a potential explanation for the causation of sexual orientations. -Causes of Homosexuality: Myth vs. Reality - Many explanations for what causes homosexuality have been suggested over the years; most of these explanations are myths, but there is one explanation that is potentially valid. Homosexuality is caused “by default.” -This idea suggests that a person becomes homosexual because of unhappy heterosexual experiences or the inability to attract partners of the other sex. -Research has proven this idea to be INVALID. -Studies have shown that many homosexuals at some point have had enjoyable sexual relationships with heterosexuals but still desire members of the same sex. -Thus, this means that male homosexuality does not stem from hatred of women and that lesbianism does not stem from hatred of men. -In addition, research has indicated that homosexuality has nothing to do with the inability to attract heterosexuals. -In fact, many homosexuals are able to attract heterosexuals in addition to other homosexuals. Homosexuality is caused by seduction. -This idea suggests that men and women become homosexual because they have been seduced by older homosexuals. -Research has also proven this idea to be INVALID. -Studies have shown that most homosexuals have their first homosexual encounter with someone close to their own age. -Hence, homosexuality cannot be “caught” and is often established even before school age; however, the person may not realize their sexual orientation until later in life.  163 Homosexuality is caused by a domineering mother and an emotionally detached (or absent) father. -This idea was proposed by Freud. -Research has also proven this idea to be INVALID. -Although this type of family pattern has been shown to exist in some cases of homosexuality, many homosexual individuals do not fit this mold—that is, their mothers are not dominant nor are their fathers emotionally detached. -Furthermore, many heterosexuals have been reared in families in which this type of family pattern prevailed. Homosexuality is caused by lower blood levels of sex hormones in adults. -This idea suggests that homosexual men have less testosterone than heterosexual men and that lesbians have less estrogen than heterosexual women. -Research has also proven this idea to be INVALID. -No well-controlled research study has found a difference in the circulating levels of sex hormones in adult homosexuals vs. adult heterosexuals. Homosexuality is caused by genetic factors. -This idea suggests that a person becomes homosexual because of the presence of certain genes in the DNA of their cells. -Research suggests that this idea is POTENTIALLY VALID. -For example, scientists have studied different types of male siblings (identical twins, fraternal twins, and adoptive brothers) to finds a possible genetic cause to homosexuality. -They found that when one brother was homosexual, so were 52% of the identical twins, 22% of fraternal twins, and 11% of the adoptive brothers. adoptive brothers fraternal twins identical twins (increasing frequency of homosexuality when one brother is homosexual) -A similar study of women found the same pattern: when one sister was homosexual, so were 48% of the identical twins, 16 % of fraternal twins, and 6% of adoptive sisters. adoptive sisters fraternal twins identical twins (increasing frequency of homosexuality when one sister is homosexual) -Although environmental factors may influence homosexuality, these studies suggests a genetic link to homosexuality. -More support for a genetic component for homosexuality has been provided by researchers who have reported that they have found evidence of “gay genes” that might predispose men to develop a homosexual orientation. -These genes are not found altogether on one chromosome; instead, they are  164 found on different chromosomes, including the X chromosome, chromosome 8, chromosome 13, and chromosome 14. -Researchers found these genes by looking for genetic markers (unique sequences of DNA) that were shared only by gay individuals. -In other words, researchers looked for genetic sequences that were found in the same genetic locations in the DNA of the entire group of gay individuals being studied. -The quest to understand how these genes actually influence sexual orientation is still ongoing. -The fact that research suggests that homosexuality is caused by genetic factors indicates that homosexuality has a biological causation. This means that homosexuality is an innate behavior (the person is born that way) and is not a chosen behavior (the person does not choose to be gay). -Implications For Biological Causation of Homosexuality -If homosexuality is found to be biologically based, then those who assume that homosexuality is unnatural or immoral might have to reevaluate their beliefs and society might become more accepting of homosexuality. -Surveys find that people who believe that homosexuals are “born that way” have more positive, accepting attitudes about gay issues and gay rights than do people who believe that homosexuals choose or learn to be homosexual. -Proposed Mechanism of Causation of Sexual Orientation -The information gathered from studying the potential causes of homosexuality has allowed scientists to propose a general mechanism of how sexual orientation develops in any given person; this mechanism is as follows: Sexual orientation depends on the luck of the draw (like gambling in a casino). By chance, you will have certain genes. And having certain genes and the random combinations of those genes will determine your sexual orientation. -Note that social and environmental influences can also play a role in determining sexual orientation, but scientists believe that these factors are minor in comparison to the role that genes play.