2006-10-26 14:02:14 · 21 answers · asked by josie b 1 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
No one knows for certain at this stage.
However, there is a psychologist called David Bem who put forward a detailed theory of how sexual orientation happens and part of it was to do with the biological variables like genes and prenatal hormones produce children with particular personalities (he calls them temperaments) which then go onto influence how children interact with other children which over a long term influences sexual orientation.
As an example he talks about a child with an aggressive temperament will fit in with the rough and tumble play that is associated with boys, he grows up around boys and so finds girls as as unfamiliar and 'exotic' and so may come aroused by girls as he develops.
Whereas a boy whose temperament means he does not enjoy those sorts of rough games might turn to girls as friends and so comes to see boys as unfamiliar and 'exotic' and so may become aroused by guys as he develops.
It is just a theory, but there is evidence that lends support to this theory and so suggests that sexual orientation is a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
2006-10-26 14:50:46 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is not currently any proof of a "genetic" cause. In fact genetic homosexuality would be considered a paradox, in that if it caused exclusive same-sex coupling, it would not survive as a trait (there would be no reproducing), There are many theories, and it is still being explored, however most of the studies are truly focusing on "biological" causes on fetuses and young children. One study, for example, studied boys who had older brothers. It showed a correlation between the number of older male siblings and an increased likelihood for being gay. One thought is that the mother becomes sensitized or desensitized to androgens, and that subsequent male children get less hormones than their predecessors. There are many similar studies based especially on hormone changes. There is really no definitive "cause" for someone being gay, but it is a very heated debate. Some believe that if you find a cause it justifies being gay, others fear that if you find a "cause" then people will try to "fix" homosexuality. Hope this helps
2006-10-26 14:19:02 · answer #2 · answered by socc04b 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Presently, geneticists have been unable ti pinpoint an exact gene in the human genome which would predispose homosexuality. There is still alot of controversy on this. It all boils down to the old "nature vs. nurture" argument: Are we a product of our environment or our genes?
And it HAS NOT been proven to run in families, as someone suggested.
The old school of thought--and some still believe--is that male homosexuality is indeed caused by genetics, but female homosexuality, lesbianism, is a matter of choice and NOT genetic.
2006-10-26 14:11:41 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Some research has shown that their is structures in the brain that deal with sexuality and reproduction in gay men is more structured like those of a woman. Look for reasearch on the medial preoptic area of the brain. Their brain's hypothalumus (like a female's) will respond with lutenizing hormone and follicle stimulatin hormone after recieving an injection of ovarian hormones when a heterosexual male will not.
2006-10-26 14:17:53 · answer #4 · answered by fireeyedmaiden 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm not so sure about the genetic causes. But I did read somewhere that a child who had experienced birth trauma is more likely to become a gay.
2006-10-26 14:04:28 · answer #5 · answered by citrusy 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
i think you answered your own question-
being gay is caused by genetics.
(do you want the " gay-ness coordinates" on the genome map?)
anyway..
i don't remember ever choosing to be straight, i just am. my brother, who is gay, told me he never remembers choosing to be gay. he just is.
there's a theory that genetic homosexuality is becoming more prevalent as population increases as a means of adapting to an out of control population boom. homosexuality doesn't support
natural reproduction (man +woman=baby) and so, in theory, the more homosexuals in a species, the less offspring the species will produce.
2006-10-26 14:25:58 · answer #6 · answered by scantron 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What would be wrong with having a gay child?Why dose there need to be an explanation for being gay?Gay's are every where
Even up under your nose. It is reality.
2006-10-26 14:13:48 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
not sure but i do think there is a hormone imbalance that defines their mentality to be gay, almost the same as the way hermaphrodites have only theirs is also physical
2006-10-26 14:12:28 · answer #8 · answered by Esme 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
None it is a choice they have made. Or a lifestyle they have resorted to due to severe sexual abuse by the opposite sex.
2006-10-26 14:43:59 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe it runs in the family ( not in a bad way )
my uncle is gay, thats because off older family
its nothing to be ashamed of, it there life... just like how u like..
example, sugar in malt.... they dont. done deal!!!
2006-10-26 14:05:53 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋