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Stigmas about gays
Genetics as a cause of homosexuality
Cause of homosexuality
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In 1973, homosexuality was removed from the DSM-III hence no longer considered a disease (Berg-Kelly, 2003), but many theories exist trying to explain its cause. One relevant to Samantha’s background was related to child abuse, as researchers have explored its correlation to homosexual orientation. One study (Balsam, Rothblum & Beauchaine, 2005) found that LGB identities reported more childhood sexual abuse than heterosexuals. They admit uncertainty of which factors correlates childhood sexual abuse with homosexual orientation, and they speak of public and political concern to determine causation. Would the world feel more comfortable with homosexuality if they knew what caused it?
Child abuse, like the one Samantha experienced and as discovered in other girls she met, is an important and common factor for many homosexuals, but it is not yet confirmed a cause of homosexuality. Although if proven, it might elicit acceptance and understanding, it will not erase the stigma, the same way becoming disabled from a car accident still implies being disabled and becoming part of a minority group.
K Berg (2003) comments that adopting a marginalizing same-sex orientation is not easy for adolescents. This implies various pathways in the process of “coming out”, as various theories try to explain its phases. The homosexual identity development model (Lesser & Pope, 2010), helps describe the stages Samantha went through: Sensitization, or feeling different when she began to consider herself a-sexual like some plants; Self-recognition, or identity confusion with her “uncomfortable captivation” with Angelina-Jolie; Identity Assumption occurred when she acknowledged her lesbianism during a writing exercise in school; and finally Commitment a...
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...troversies. Sage.
- Hall, N. (2013) Hate Crime. Revised edition. Routledge
- Herrenkohl, T. I, Lee, J. O et al (2012). Family influences related to adult substance use and mental health problems: A developmental analysis of child and adolescent predictors. Journal Adolescent Health, (51), 129-135. DOI: 10.1037/0033-2909.112.1.64
- Lesser, J.G. & Pope, D.S. (2010) Human behavior and the social environment theory & Practice, (2nd ed.) Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
- St. Cyr, J.L., & Decker, S.H. (2003). Girls, guys, and gangs: Convergence of divergence in the gendered construction of gangs and groups. Journal of Criminal Justice, 31, 423-33 DOI: 10.1016/S0047-2352(03)00048-5
- Roseborough, D. (2003). Conceptions of gay male life-span development: Past and present. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 8(2/3) 29-53. DOI: 10.1300/J137v08n02_03
Zastrow, C. H., & Krist-Ashman, K. K. (2013). Understanding Human Behavior and the Social Environment (9 ed.). Belmont:
...were initially skeptical, until gradually, the weight of scientific fact has shifted the opinion to the belief in these views. As seen in the film, Paris is Burning, homosexuality is not much of a choice, but a way of life that not many would chose living unless biologically destined to be. We must trust that the very knowledge of the natural and biological springs of sexual abnormality will bring about the recognition that the syndrome is natural, and may change our perceptions of what is normal. After all, the problem, such as Bornstein stated, is with our intolerance that they do not conform with what we think is 'normal' gender identity and sexual behavior. Though it is our biologically wired mind that makes us intolerable and aggressive to the 'outsider', it is our duty as a society to erase this ignorance by education of the genetically sexual 'deviant' ones.
Hutchison, E. D. (2017). Essentials of human behavior: integrating person, environment, and the life course. Los Angeles:
Gangs have been around for many years; the founders of some of the original gangs in the United States will be discussed. The statistics of youth gangs in Canada will be presented followed by an in depth discussion about why young adults can be persuade into joining a gang. Often females do not contribute that the youth gangs in society; a discussion about the increasing presence of females and their roles among male dominate gangs. Young adults from Surrey, British Columbia, speak up about youth gangs and the influence of their presents within their community in a documentary called Warrior Boyz.
In addition victimization can be more serious than verbal abuse or threats and some youth are the victims of a risen number of assaults and other hate crimes committed against gays and lesbians (Comstock, 1991; Herek, 1989 pg. 246). For college students who identify themselves as gay or lesbian, normative expectations of identity exploration render much more
The acceptance of “abnormal” sexualities has been a prolonged, controversial battle. The segregation is excruciating and the prejudice remarks are so spiteful that some people never truly recover. Homosexuals have been left suffering for ages. Life, for most homosexuals during the first half of the twentieth century, was mostly one of hiding: having to constantly hide their true feelings and tastes. Instead of restaurants and movies, they had to sit quiet in the dark and meet each other in concealed places such as bars. Homosexuals were those with “mental and psychic abnormalities” and were the victim of medical prejudice, police harassment, and church condemnation (Jagose 24). The minuscule mention or assumption of one’s homosexuality could easily lead to the loss of family, livelihood, and sometimes even their lives. It was only after the Stonewall riots and the organization of gay/lesbian groups that times for homosexuals started to look brighter.
Myers, David G. “Chapter 14: Social Psychology.” Psychology. 10th ed. New York, NY US: Worth
...son, E. D. (2008). Dimensions of Human Behaviour: Person and Environment. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Though many consider homosexuality a mental illness, different studies have proven that it is a bi...
The first possible cause of homosexuality is genetic factors. Homosexuality is a trait from birth (Buchanan, 2000). Studies found that identical twins share many common traits. A study found that identical twins normally share homosexual behavior if one of them is homosexual. This proved that genes are likely to cause homosexuality. In addition, according to (Santinover, 2002), homosexuality is a heritable behavior. Based on heritability studies, almost any human trait is heritable including the homosexual behavior. He stated that behavioral genes are found in specific chromosome. Thus, the behavior is obviously heritable. Moreover, Italian University of Padova (2004) believes that homosexual trait is passed from mother to male offspring by natural ...
If one were to identify a time in life when the recognition of a homosexual identity would be most disruptive, adolescence would be at the top of the list. According to psychologist Erik Erikson, adolescence is a time of identity versus confusion. During adolescence, children are exploring their independence and developing a sense of self. Those who receive proper encouragement and reinforcement through personal exploration will emerge from this stage with a strong sense of self and a feeling of independence and control. Those who remain unsure of their beliefs and desires will insecure and confused about themselves and the future (Crain, 2000). The successful completion of these steps can be impeded by identifying one self as a sexual minority. Andrew Sullivan articulates his experience as a homosexual teen in his essay “What Is A Homosexual?”
Zastrow, C., & Kirst-Ashman, K. K. (2013). Understanding human behavior and the social environment. Australia: Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning.
Many stereotypes of gangs have been fabricated. The problem is that a majority of gang members do not fit these stereotypes, which, in turn, makes it hard for the to be caught (Klein). Traditionally they organize their group around a specific neighborhood, school or housing projec...
Gender and gangs: A quantitative comparison. Crime & Delinquency, 55(3), 363-387. doi:10.1177/0011128707306017 Roman, C. G., Lachman, P., & Cahill, M. (2013). Assessing youth motivations for joining a peer group as risk factors for delinquent and gang behavior. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, 11(3), 212- 229. doi:10.1177/1541204012461510
The sexual orientation of a person has been a critical debate over the past several centuries. For several...