Sexual Orientation Determined At Birth - 2265 Words

Sexual Orientation Determined at Birth I can vividly remember the day my sister told me she was homosexual. The following years after her coming out consisted of constant bullying from her peers and sleepless nights. I have always wondered if this lifestyle was something she had control of. Is an individual’s sexual orientation determined at birth? Homosexuality, or liking someone of the same sex, was once considered a mental illness by the American Psychiatric Association. The APA voted to remove the â€Å"disease† from the list of mental illnesses in 1973. Many recent studies have reinforced the idea that homosexuals’ desires may stem from biological factors rather than their environment. Influences such as genes, brain structure, and hormones have been proven to have an effect on a person’s sexual orientation. High concordance rates among homosexual identical twins also conclude that biology plays a major role in the dictation of a person’s sexua l preference. Some, however, believe that homosexuality is merely caused by a person’s upbringing. They argue that family beliefs, peers, and media would directly impact an individual’s sexuality. Based on various studies and statistics, I believe biology is the major cause behind differences in sexual orientation. First, one of the many biological determinants of sexual orientation is an individual’s genes. Many scientists have concluded that there is evidence of several genes, specifically the Xq28 gene on the X chromosome,Show MoreRelatedDoes Homosexuality Change the Brain or the Brain Results in Homosexuality?1039 Words   |  5 Pagesproduct of biology because according to research, the hormones of the females are stronger. Dr. Hamer states that sexual orientation, male homosexuality is genetically influenced. This is passed down through their mothers to the hormone of their offspring. Sexual identity is wired into the genes, which discounts the concept t hat homosexuality and transgender sexuality are a choice. Since sexual differentiation occurs within the womb, as a result of hormonal influences, it has been hypothesized that homosexualityRead MoreBiological And Social Effects On Sexual Orientation1406 Words   |  6 PagesSocial Effects on Sexual Orientation The origin and cause of human sexual orientation have been highly debated topics between sociologist and biologists. Most scientists believe sexual orientation is biologically determined while sociologists argue that it is socially constructed. There is a third belief that human sexual orientation is not solely biologically determined or socially constructed. From this belief come theories that combine both arguments, where human sexual orientation contains a biologicalRead MoreHuman Sexuality Paper1490 Words   |  6 PagesDec 7th, 2009 SXS 400 Essay If sexual orientation is something that we can’t change or choose, then how are these specific preferences such as heterosexuality and homosexuality created? How does one person progress to either heterosexuality or homosexuality? Studies showed that there were genetic factors linked to influencing sexual orientation in males before they were born by increasing the female reproductive capacity in mothers during multiple births. (Iemmole, Ciani, 2008: 393) ThoughRead MoreA Deeper Understanding Of Identity Essay1559 Words   |  7 Pagesthrough committing oneself in performance of certain actions associating with the desired identity, such as conforming to stereotypes. The changeable nature of non-factual identity also establishes that any identities in the category could not be determined as one’s â€Å"true† identity. There are two ways to approach non-factual identity according to Merriam-Webster dictionary. The first entry defines identity as â€Å"the distinguishing character or personality of an individual.† (â€Å"identity.†) An aspectRead MoreWhat Causes Homosexuality996 Words   |  4 Pagesfundamentalists in another. What is Sexual Orientation? The American Psychological Association defines sexual orientation as such: Sexual orientation is an enduring emotional, romantic, sexual, or affectional attraction that a person feels toward another person. Sexual orientation falls along a continuum. In other words, someone does not have to be exclusively homosexual or heterosexual, but can feel varying degrees of attraction for both genders. Sexual orientation develops across a person s lifetime—differentRead MoreThere Is No Question That Gay Marriage Has Become A Huge1631 Words   |  7 Pagesthis topic. Gay marriage has become a highly-debated topic between Conservative and Liberal Protestant religious groups, in which the opposing positions are centered around interpretation of sacred text, belief in the concept of naturally orientated sexual attraction, and the level of influence media has on the two groups. Conservative Protestants believe that the backbone of their faith in all things the inerrant supremacy of the Bible. In 2 Timothy 3:16 the Bible says, â€Å"All Scripture is God-breathedRead MoreHomosexuality : What Causes Homosexuality?1404 Words   |  6 PagesCharizma Bush What causes homosexuality? During my abnormal psychology section in class something that stuck out to me was how homosexuality used to be a diagnosed disorder which is fascinating to me. Also the fact that sexual orientation is on a scale from 100% heterosexual to 100% homosexual and no one is fully either one. Knowing this I thought about the new national same-sex marriage law and how it brought up a lot of controversy recently that has been a struggle for years and years. There areRead MoreSexual Orientation Is A Choice1603 Words   |  7 PagesIn today’s society, there is an ongoing argument as to whether sexual orientation is a choice or if it is a preference that one is born with. Due to these conflicting perspectives, many philosophers have written books and conducted experiments in order to determine and justify which viewpoint is accurate. In Simone de Beauvoir’s book, The Second Sex, particularly the chapter entitled â€Å"The Lesbian†, she illustrated her assumption that homosex uality is a choice through the analysis of their benefitsRead MoreSex, Gender and Sexual Orientation are Determined Genetically1172 Words   |  5 PagesSex, Gender and Sexual Orientation are Determined Genetically Without having any value judgments on sexual deviancy- the word itself many seem to imply disapproval. Whether it be transvestism, voyeurism, exhibitionism, or sadomasochism, sexual deviancy is by many considered unnatural and inhuman. However these two words unnatural and inhuman is exactly what homosexuality is not. The truth is, sexual deviancy is as much a function of biology and as much a product of nature - as the orthodoxRead MoreHomosexuality : Nature And Nature871 Words   |  4 Pagesfrancois Advance Placement Psychology Mr. Cuetara June 4 2015 Abstract The nature and nature of homosexuality is heavily debated. Some people believe that homosexuality is biologically determined and others believe it’s base on ones environment. This topic can be argue to be base on both nature and nurture. Studies conducted in the past decades support both the biological and environmental aspect of homosexuality. â€Æ' Homosexuality: Nature