www.BeTreatedWell.com Homosexuality
Sexual orientation is defined by emotional, romantic, affectionate, or sexual
attraction to others. That attraction may be for members of the opposite sex,
same sex, or both sexes. When Alfred Kinsey published his research on human
sexual behavior in the 1940's, he reported that 4% of men and 2% of women
identified as exclusively homosexual throughout their lives, and that 10% of men
were exclusively homosexual during some 3 year period of their lives.
Kinsey’s report that about 4% of men and 2% of women identified as homosexual
appears to be accurate. More recent research studies have consistently found that
about 2-3% men and 1-2% of women identify as homosexual. A study from
University of Chicago found 2.8% of men and 1.4% of women identified as gay.
However, the research also found that 7.7% of the men and 7.5% of the women
reported same sex desire; and that 7.1% of the men and 3.8% of the women
reported same-sex sexual behavior.
Though 2.8% of men and 1.4% of women whom identify as gay may seem
insignificant, this represents more than 3 million adults over the age 20 in the U.
S., and approximately 52 million men and 26 million women worldwide. It is clear
from the magnitude of these numbers that there is no one “homosexual lifestyle”.
This fact is supported by findings indicating that there may be more than one kind
of homo-sexuality, each with varying degrees of genetic influence.
Neither the American Psychological Association, nor the American Psychiatric
Association, view homosexuality as a mental illness. As a result of his findings
about modern human sexual behavior Kinsey suggested that rather than thinking
about only two kinds of sexual orientation, human sexual attraction would be
better conceptualized as a continuum. Much of the research on sexual orientation
supports the concept that a gay orientation is a natural variation that is inborn
and not pathological. Being gay is not a choice; what to do about a gay identity is
a big decision. Studies of the effectiveness of “reparative therapy” to cure
homosexuality fail to find evidence of the ability to change a persons sexual
orientation.
Though researchers long ago disproved the belief that homosexual men were more
psychologically disturbed than heterosexual men, a gay identity can be associated
with emotional difficulties. This psychological distress is mostly the result of
internalized conflicts about one’s true feelings and desires, and society’s
expectations. There is no evidence to support the idea that homosexuality is
caused by bad parenting, dysfunctional families or sexual traumas. Same sex
contact does not cause homosexuality; in fact, same sex sexual experimentation
in childhood is not uncommon and most children who engage in this behavior are
heterosexual as adults. Lastly, homosexuality is a sexual orientation (not to be
confused with a gender identification): gay men do not want to be women and
lesbians do not want to be men.
Sexual orientation is defined by emotional, romantic, affectionate, or sexual
attraction to others. That attraction may be for members of the opposite sex,
same sex, or both sexes. When Alfred Kinsey published his research on human
sexual behavior in the 1940's, he reported that 4% of men and 2% of women
identified as exclusively homosexual throughout their lives, and that 10% of men
were exclusively homosexual during some 3 year period of their lives.
Kinsey’s report that about 4% of men and 2% of women identified as homosexual
appears to be accurate. More recent research studies have consistently found that
about 2-3% men and 1-2% of women identify as homosexual. A study from
University of Chicago found 2.8% of men and 1.4% of women identified as gay.
However, the research also found that 7.7% of the men and 7.5% of the women
reported same sex desire; and that 7.1% of the men and 3.8% of the women
reported same-sex sexual behavior.
Though 2.8% of men and 1.4% of women whom identify as gay may seem
insignificant, this represents more than 3 million adults over the age 20 in the U.
S., and approximately 52 million men and 26 million women worldwide. It is clear
from the magnitude of these numbers that there is no one “homosexual lifestyle”.
This fact is supported by findings indicating that there may be more than one kind
of homo-sexuality, each with varying degrees of genetic influence.
Neither the American Psychological Association, nor the American Psychiatric
Association, view homosexuality as a mental illness. As a result of his findings
about modern human sexual behavior Kinsey suggested that rather than thinking
about only two kinds of sexual orientation, human sexual attraction would be
better conceptualized as a continuum. Much of the research on sexual orientation
supports the concept that a gay orientation is a natural variation that is inborn
and not pathological. Being gay is not a choice; what to do about a gay identity is
a big decision. Studies of the effectiveness of “reparative therapy” to cure
homosexuality fail to find evidence of the ability to change a persons sexual
orientation.
Though researchers long ago disproved the belief that homosexual men were more
psychologically disturbed than heterosexual men, a gay identity can be associated
with emotional difficulties. This psychological distress is mostly the result of
internalized conflicts about one’s true feelings and desires, and society’s
expectations. There is no evidence to support the idea that homosexuality is
caused by bad parenting, dysfunctional families or sexual traumas. Same sex
contact does not cause homosexuality; in fact, same sex sexual experimentation
in childhood is not uncommon and most children who engage in this behavior are
heterosexual as adults. Lastly, homosexuality is a sexual orientation (not to be
confused with a gender identification): gay men do not want to be women and
lesbians do not want to be men.
| Antonia Caretto, Ph.D., PLLC |
| www.BeTreatedWell.com phone: 248.553.9053 |
| Articles of Interest: Business of Therapy Anxiety Why Gender? Asperger's Disorder Adjustment Disorders Self-Injurious Behavior |
