Homosexuality: Nature vs. Nurture

Jason Hwang

Shoreline Community COllege

Homosexuality: Nature vs. Nurture

It is commonly known that a couple is made up of a man and a woman. It has always been this way since the beginning of man; even in the Bible, it is written that God created Adam, a male, and Eve, a female, declaring that man should not have to live without a female counterpart, and that they belong together. Man would simply not exist if it were not for this inherent attraction to the opposite sex. A primary goal of any species is to find a mate or partner and procreate: to procreate is to survive and exist, and in order to do so, there tends to be a need for a female and a male. However, this natural, inherent attraction for the opposite sex does not exist within every species nor every indvidial human, nor is it a new phenomenon. For even in the bible, the people of Sodom had often practiced lecherous acts, many of which were same-sex. Since then, however, the stigma and condemnation that is attributed to homosexuality has lessened, albeit it still being a highly controversial subject.
The purpose of this case study is to share the information and thoughts gathered through personal experiences and exposure to news and media on the psychological phenomenon that is homosexuality. The information and ideas presented are subject to bias and is comprised of personal thoughts and opinions. The review will introduce and define the topic of homosexuality from a neutral standpoint, and then present thoughts and ideas based on personal experiences.
Sexual Orientation and Homosexuality Defined Sexual orientation is defined as “an enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attractions to men, women, or both sexes” (APA, 2008). Sexual orientation is discussed in three categories: heterosexuality (opposite sex attraction), homosexuality (same sex attraction), and bisexuality (either sex attraction). The form of attraction can be emotional, romantic, or sexual. The most common sexual orientation is heterosexuality, which is what most people attribute to be the proper sexual orientation in modern-day society.
Controversy
Homosexuality is a highly controversial subject, mainly due to religion. Those who denounce homosexuals claim that it is wrong and shameful; that man should be with a woman as it were intended by God. The bible depicts homosexuality as a sin and condemns all those who engage in homosexual activities; they assert that God made man to be with only women, and to disobey God is to accept condemnation. Others argue that being homosexual is not a choice, saying that they were born that way. According to the CIA World Factbook’s 2007 consensus, only about 4% of the U.S. population is not religious, and most of the population’s religious belief are attributed to the Protestant church (51%). Over the years, however, more people have been advocating for equality and rights that include sexual minorities.
Many people argue whether nature (biological) or nuture (environment and social interactions) influences sexual orientation. Proponents of nature being the main factor believe that there are hormonal or growth factors, and some even say that it is a disease that makes one homosexual. Those that believe that nuture is the main reason say that interactions with family or friends at any age can influence sexual orientation. Sigmund Freud's basic theory of human sexuality said that all human beings were innately bisexual, and that they become heterosexual or homosexual as a result of their experiences with parents and others (Freud, 1905). There is no consensus among scientists as to what determines sexual orientation because of the many factors.
Personal Experiences and Exposure to News and Media In the past, it was difficult for me to think about how one could change to be attracted to those of the same sex, but I also thought it was absurd that people could be