Sexual Orientation
Sexual orientation is considered highly controversial in our world today. There are many issues that society is faced with concerning homosexuality. When thinking of homosexuality most people refer to the Bible for an answer. There is even more controversy within the Bible’s text. Not only is there reference to the Bible, but also to our mind to answer whether or not homosexuality is a moral issue. Psychological and Biological research is searching for an answer to this illustrious area of confusion.
According to Shakuntala Delvi, “a homosexual experience is any physical arousal a person feels in response to someone of his or her own sex. This can range from just thinking about someone and being aroused to actually having physical contact and orgasm with that person” (Delvi 11). This definition raises many questions as to how someone can be attracted to the same sex. The moral issue that surrounds homosexuality is very confusing. It takes a lot to of understanding as to why someone would have an attraction to a person of the same sex.
There are many different views on whether homosexuality is moral. It was considered a way of life in Greek mythological tales. Greek women sought other women’s company for true love and only engaged in heterosexual relationships for means of reproduction (Delvi 30). There are ignorant people in our society who condemn this way of life because they lack an open mind. Everyone has the right to his or her own opinion on this subject. Homosexuality is not only a way of life for a lot of people, but also a way of life just like any other.
People who agree with a homosexual lifestyle seem to be more stable with their own lives. They are more open and have a better understan...
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...mn love. Social and moral issues are at the top of the continuum as to whether or not homosexuality is an act of nature or just a choice that is made. It is my conclusion that homosexuals are put on the earth by nature. It is a natural occurring phenomna that may be here without an explanation. It should be known that if someone loves another person, regardless of his or her sex, it should not be an issue in any sense. Sophocles once quoted: “One word frees us of all the weight and pain in life. That word is Love.”
Bibliography:
Works Cited
Garnett, Linda D., & Douglas C. Kimmel. Psychological Perspectives on Lesbian & Gay Male Experiences. New York: Colombia University Press 1993.
Shakuntala Devi. The World of Homosexuals. New Delhi: Vikas Publishing 1977.
Jennifer Terry. An American Obsession. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press 1999.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that sexual orientation is considered controversial in our world today. there are many issues that society is faced with concerning homosexuality.
- Explains shakuntala delvi's definition of a homosexual experience, which raises many questions as to how someone can be attracted to the same sex.
- Opines that homosexuality was considered a way of life in greek mythological tales. there are ignorant people in our society who condemn it because they lack an open mind.
- Explains that people who disagree with gay and lesbian lifestyles close their minds to the different types of diversity because of how they were raised and the community they grew up in.
- Explains that homosexuality is condemned in the old and new testaments of the bible, but not in sodom and gomorrah.
- Opines that there are many different interpretations of the bible, including the lutheran religion's view that god originally wrote it, but his supposed disciples interpreted it the way they saw it.
- Explains that the new testament was not immediately infused into christian thought. the stoic philosophy of the community in which early christianity flourished was to live according to nature and to achieve a union with the divine.
- Explains that the old testament expressed that love, including sexual love requires respect for the other person, and the sin which man can commit in his sexual conduct. if one does not acknowledge the only true personal god, it follows unavoidably that one also won’t acknowledge one’s fellow man as a person who
- Explains that the bible reflects a lot about sexual contact with the same sex. the bible doesn't condemn love, but condemns sexual acts.
- Explains that homosexuality was thought of as a mental disorder in the 1970s, but it has changed since then, and gay and lesbian movements have stirred to challenge the view.
- Explains that while homosexuality was considered a mental disorder, therapists discouraged homosexual activity. now, clinicians have taken on new ways of treating their homosexual patients.
- Opines that it is difficult for "confused" adolescents to find their place in a culture that does not essentially accept homosexuals.
- Argues that homosexuality is a social problem or natural trait, and that there is limited research to support this theory of sex/gender regime
- Concludes that homosexuality is a natural occurring phenomna that may be here without an explanation.
Related
- analytical
- opinion
- argumentative
- Speech About Homosexualityanalytical essay1. Homosexuality is a choice that people make, as in you can choose whether or not to be physically and emotionally attracted to a particular gender.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how a churchgoer's comment about homosexuality irritates them. homosexuality is an emotional choice, and homosexual behavior is sinful.
- Opines that heterosexuals represent the reverse side of the coin. they did not chose to have feelings towards members of their own gender.
- Analyzes how matthew 5:21-22 tells us that just an attitude of anger towards another is as sinful as an act of murder. verses 28 and 29 say that a lustful thought is equal to adultery.
- Explains that some homosexuals have chosen to live a life in hiding, bowing to the pressure of the prevailing social norms.
- Opines that homosexuality is still hotly debated in biblical terms, and that's not a can of worms.
- Explains that homosexuality isn't even in the biblical top ten. the bible bans all sorts of behavior, such as physical contact with an "unclean" woman, eating shellfish, mixing natural and artificial fabrics, and working on the sabbath.
- Explains that for catholics, it's not even one of the seven deadly sins. this is not lustful desire, but a loving, emotional connection between two consenting adults.
- Explains that jesus taught that love was to be put before everything else. barring people from religious service, access to products and services in the public sector, and denying the civil rights of homosexuals as fellow human beings, isn't putting love first.
- Explains that jesus taught us not to judge. in matthew 7:1-5, and in luke 6:37-38, we are warned that we will be judged with the same harshness as we judge others.
- Explains that true followers of christ structure their lives and actions based on his life. jesus wasn't a legalist. he caught against legalism, and it got him killed.
758 wordsRead More - Homosexuality as Nature or Nurtureopinion essayHuman sexuality has been one of society's most interesting, controversial, debated, and misunderstood topics. It has been the topic of numerous books, essays, documentaries, websites, and television magazine segments. More specifically, homosexuality is probably the most misunderstood aspect of human sexuality. This is mainly due to lack of education, exposure, or just a general close mindedness. Homosexual tendencies are genetically caused, but acting on these tendencies is a choice caused by a number of factors, different for different people.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that homosexuality is one of society's most interesting, controversial, debated, and misunderstood topics, due to lack of education, exposure, or just a general close mindedness.
- Describes the terms used in the essay, such as heterosexual, gay, lesbian, and homophobic.
- Explains that a person's sexuality is caused by the genetic makeup of that person.
- Explains that bailey and pillard reported that among identical twins reared together, each individual had a high probability of being homosexual if the other twin was.
- Explains that if one identical twin was homosexual, then the other would be. this supports the genetic theory, which states that homosexuality is genetically carried.
- Explains that the physical attraction to someone of the same sex may be genetic, but acting upon that is caused by numerous factors.
- Explains that education plays a large role in the identification of sexual identity. if parents avoid the topic of homosexuality, their children will have difficulty identifying and accepting it.
- Analyzes how education and discussion of homosexuality make children and people more understanding and accepting of it.
- Explains that homosexuality is also avoided in our nation's public schools. the topic of two men or two women being in love or having a loving relationship was avoided. schools wonder why their students are homophobic by high school.
- Opines that education of this topic at home and in schools is essential to create a more open-minded, accepting environment throughout the child's development.
- Analyzes the tense relationship between gene and phineas in john knowles' a separate peace, which may cause students to identify with their homosexual side.
- Explains that a person's religion may prevent them from identifying with their homosexuality.
- Explains that they keep mentioning adolescence because of an observation made by the american psychological association.
- Explains that the american psychological association agrees that a person does not choose his or her sexuality, but chooses whether or not to act on it.
- Analyzes how society and psychiatry induce a mother to bow her head in shame and heartache, pleading mea culpa. she invested too heavily in her son's life; she hovered too closely about him while he was growing up.
- Opines that homosexual men are feminine; they like to shop, cook, dress up in women's clothing, talk in a high pitched voice, and talk with their hands.
- Explains that society is becoming a bit more comfortable with homosexuality despite constant homophobia. ellen degeneres paved the path for other shows and made people feel comfortable.
- Explains that they had many feminine influences in their life. they grew up in a neighborhood of girls and played dress-up, house, and barbies.
- Narrates how they first noticed their homosexual tendencies at junior high. they dated a couple girls to convince themselves that they weren't gay.
- Opines that they didn't choose their sexuality, but chose to act on it due to the accepting environment they live in.
- Opines that society is gradually becoming more understanding and tolerant of gays and lesbians, but until the day people stop assuming everyone they meet is heterosexual unless told otherwise, it is their duty to educate and make people aware of this topic.
1926 wordsRead More - Homosexualityargumentative essayIs homosexual behavior learned or is it genetics? It has been an ongoing debate whether homosexuality is genetics or a learned behavior. Sexual orientation is usually explained as a characteristic of the individual, such as biological sex, gender identity, or age. This is only partially true because sexual orientation must have something to do with relationships with other individuals.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that homosexuality is genetics or a learned behavior. the three main sexual orientations are heterosexual, bisexual and homosexual.
- Explains that homosexuality affects 10% of society today, and that research on it and its foundations continues to be done.
- Explains that psychologists were one of the first to study homosexuality as a sexual orientation, and european sexologists attempted to label it as disease in the late 19th century. spanish and portuguese conquerors reported that sodomy was widespread in many cultures.
- Argues that genetics are no more related to homosexuality than a person’s skin color is to his or her behavioral tendencies.
- Explains that the mental health profession took a negative stance on homosexuality after world war ii. sigmund freud asserted that all human beings were innately bisexual.
- Disagrees with the speculation that homosexuality is something that a person has no control over.
815 wordsRead More - Homosexuality: Is It A Choice? (Pro)analytical essayThat being said homosexuality is a choice, having an attraction to the other gender may be able to be explained by scientific principles, but the people you involve yourself with romantically and/or sexually is your choice.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that homosexuality originated in 1892, to describe two people of the same gender that were attracted to each other.
- Explains that homosexuality is a choice, and that having an attraction to the other gender may be explained by scientific principles, but the people you involve yourself with romantically or sexually is your choice.
- Argues that one dna decides when a person is born if they are heterosexual or not. this argument is hardly debatable because research has shown very little relationship between genetics and homosexuality.
- Argues that homosexuality is caused by a hormone imbalance in the brain. however, the studies that were taken were contradictory because they never measured the hormone levels of anyone.
- Explains that gene's & hormones and the brain have no scientific evidence currently, that someone is born homosexual. in the u.s a large portion of men find females breast attractive, but in some other cultures breast are seen as just part of the body.
- Explains that a person's sexuality can change very easily, based on their environment, family, religion, or even person preference.
- Argues that even if sexuality couldn't be changed, homosexuals could be taught not to act out on their desires. nobody's biology forces them to be with one gender or the other.
- Explains that sexuality isn't caused by a major difference in the brain, or gene, it's effected by environment and ethnics and family. people can make the choice not to act on their homosexual or heterosexual desires.
- Opines that homosexuality is a choice, but the morality of the choice shouldn't affect anyone other than the person who made that choice.
755 wordsRead More - The Challenges of Lesbian and Gay Youthanalytical essayThe debate over homosexuality as nature or nurture dominates most topics about homosexuality. People often confuse the nature/nurture issue with the development of gay identity. In fact, the nature/nurture argument plays a small, insignificant role concerning gay youths (Walling 11). Homosexual identity is the view of the self as homosexual in association with romantic and sexual situations (Troiden 46) Many researchers have either discussed or created several models or theories concerning the development of homosexual identity. However, the most prominent is Troiden’s sociological four-stage model of homosexual identity formation. Dr. Richard R. Troiden desc...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that a father's removal may be the reason why gay young males have poor self-esteem.
- Analyzes how the paper examines logical theoretical ideas of what gay adolescents endure, using research and reports of other gay studies.
- Explains that the unprecedented growth of the gay community in recent history has transformed our culture and consciousness, creating radically new possibilities for people to come out and live more openly as homosexuals.
- Explains that the first stage of homosexual identity development, sensitization, occurs before puberty, and gay adolescents experience feelings of being "different" and marginal from same gender peers.
- Explains that the presumption of heterosexuality starts during the sensitization stage, but the effects can be long-term.
- Analyzes how gay teens respond to identity confusion by taking on one or more of the following tactics: denial, repair, avoidance, redefinition, and acceptance.
- Explains that the third stage of troiden's model is identity assumption. self-recognition and disclosure to others of sexual preference first occur; signs of coming out.
- Explains that some parents adjust effectively to their child's homosexuality, but other parents react erratically.
2611 wordsRead More - Negative Essay: Is Homosexuality An Option?opinion essayEven though it is against nature, some individuals are born with complete desire to same sex. Abraham Verghese in his article A fresh look at homosexuality said, “While welcoming and agreeing with a positive perception of homosexuality, it is difficult to accept the position that homosexuality is a normal psychosexual development. A normal variant cannot be considered completely normal. It is, in fact, an aberration in the psychosexual development, caused by genetic and psychosocial factors for which the person is not responsible. There are research findings, which suggest that there are structural differences in the brains of people with homosexual orientation.”(qdt pg 1) This quote proves the claim of having a different biological format for homosexuals from any normal heterosexual. These cases are completely helpless and have nothing to do with being homosexuals; it is a natural stimulus that they were born with. Therefore in such cases, it is critical to understand that they have no control over their unnatural
In this essay, the author
- Explains that homosexuality is the 2nd leading cause of death among young people ages 10 to 24 and 25% of them were reported to be homosexuals.
- Opines that homosexuality is inborn and not viewed as a disease. it is an aberration in the psychosexual development caused by genetic and psychosocial factors.
- Opines that homosexuality isn't biologically or physiologically related.
- Concludes that it is critical to fully understand the homosexual behavior in society and under a government that accepts homosexuality.
847 wordsRead More - Homosexuals Should Have Equal Rightsopinion essayHomosexual love relationships is exactly the same to that of a heterosexual couple. Marriage is a commitment that two people make when they love each other, they are willing to spend the rest of their days together, with the person who can be themselves and not have the fear of being judged for what they are, the person which you know is there at all times in good times and in bad times. Not with a person that you 're with only because society is so agreeable. In the United States in 2004 Massachusetts became the first state to legalize marriage be...
In this essay, the author
- Opines that homosexuality has become a controversial topic and that many people refuse to give them the rights they deserve.
- Explains their purpose in writing this paper is to present their points of view on how society has changed as the years go by, and how homosexuals have fought for many years to get the rights they deserve.
- Explains that marriage is a commitment that two people make when they love each other. massachusetts became the first state to legalize marriage between people of the same sex in 2004.
- Opines that the article "10 reasons why homosexual "marriage" states that it is harmful and must be opposed by tfp student action.
- Agrees with hugo rifkind's statement that homosexuals deserve to be happy and be treated equally.
- Agrees to continue fighting for equality, but achieved fear of rejection among the society. many young people are in the position where they are afraid to be who they really are because of society's actions towards them.
- States that 86% of gay students have experienced harassment at school, according to the gay, lesbian and straight education network 2007 national school climate survey.
- Explains that bullying and harassment can have negative effects on the development rate and mental health of the people.
- Opines that they support the gay community since two of their best friends are gay and they are optimistic and always have the best advice.
- Analyzes how a 14-year-old graeme taylor said that it takes time to get comfortable with oneself.
1166 wordsRead More - Causes of Homosexuality - Nature AND Nutureanalytical essayThe 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 ...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that homosexuality is caused by genetic, biological, and environmental factors.
- Explains that homosexuality is a trait from birth and that genetic factors are likely to cause it.
- Explains that homosexuality can also be caused by biological factors. hormones play an important role in stimulating one’s intensity of sexuality.
- Explains that homosexuality can be caused by environmental factors. adults' sexual behavior is influenced by their early sexual experience.
- Argues that genetic, biological, and environmental factors are the possible causes of homosexuality. however, homosexuals can control their desires from homosexual contact.
551 wordsRead More - Homosexuality Essayanalytical essayHomosexuality has been the topic of constant conflict today. Homosexuality is defined as, a romantic attraction, sexual attraction or sexual behavior between members of the same sex or gender. In addition, homosexuality has been accepted more today, however, it is still frowned upon by many. Consequently, there are many challenges on the views of homosexuality. Some may think that this is an abnormal behavior, to have an attraction to the same sex. On the contrary, there are many who defend that the feelings that homosexual has, are feelings that are normal, not to mention, homosexuals believe that they were in fact born this way. Furthermore, in this essay, it will look at the challenges that are presented on this topic, and look at the conflict that is between society, homosexuals, and the church.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the new york times article addresses discriminatory policies against gays, highlighting how society has begun to shape the choice of homosexuality.
- Explains that the church views homosexuality differently from the bible. the bible says that sexual attraction to the same sex is contrary to god's view of relationships.
- Explains that homosexuality is a romantic attraction between members of the same sex or gender, but it is still frowned upon by many.
- Analyzes how the article is written from a bias point of view, because it is coming down on discrimination against homosexuals.
902 wordsRead More - Homosexualityanalytical essayThe research was focused on Homosexuality; the mental strain acquired when stereotypes are concentrated; the health risks and external stressors achieved when subject to mainstream bias. Also how these impacts may manifest pre and post “coming out”. In these studies, the heterosexual male and the sub groups of the homosexual male shared a preconception of how a homosexual male was defined, each group also shared prejudice against certain groups of homosexual men.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the research focused on homosexuality, the mental strain acquired when stereotypes are concentrated, and the health risks and external stressors achieved when subject to mainstream bias.
- Explains that there are definitely powerful social effects resulting from gay men's body culture. the attribute of a highly athletic, toned, lean, hairless, caucasian body ideal is registered in such phrases as ‘no fats, no femmes’ and ‘straight acting.
- Explains that communities provide a sense of unity and belonging, which is crucial throughout development. adolescence and early adulthood are nerve-wracking due to the many life transitions.
- Explains that gay men have more defiance and anxiety than lesbians when related to the gay stigma.
- Explains that internalized homophobia is a significant risk factor in addressing lgb youths' psychological problems.
- Explains that goldfried and goldfried (2001) understood that qualitative is better than quantitative in the upbringing of minority specific youth.
- Analyzes how the interviews show a lifestyle unlike the rest, where beauty is only rewarded on the looks of the outside appearance. ideals of hyper masculine and perfect physique are found in safe sex campaigns, community newspapers and magazines.
- Analyzes how max's body is a positive expression of gay identity that generates pride and self esteem.
- Analyzes how max's interview shows a direct correlation between the value of image and gay identity.
- Analyzes how chad saw the pressure to attain and maintain a muscular body ideal as representing resistance to earlier stereotypical ideas defining homosexuality.
- Explains that alvarez (2008) identified six sub-categories in the gay gym culture. these included older men, hiv positive men and non-competitive and professional athletes.
- Opines that stereotypes have made themselves lasting, creating a fear of rejection and an ideal almost impossible to meet.
- Explains freud's "gender inversion theory" that gay men are more similar to heterosexual females than to lesbians. stereotypes serve as a way of simplifying the world.
- Argues that mainstream media has conditioned its audience into thinking what is necessary for one to be happy and feel whole. unrealistic expectations riddled with judgment have become our reality.
1742 wordsRead More