Homosexuals: Nature or Nuture?

Question

I've been having on ongoing debate w/ my gf... she believes homosexuals are born that way. I beg to differ... what do yall think?

Answer 1

Homosexuality is biological (not a choice, born that way).

Answer 2

Both of you are basically correct. When I was 4 years old I already felt different. Can a 4 year old kid choose to be gay or know what is wrong or right? I don't think so. There are even cases that people realize they are gay at a later age (as late as 40).

Some due to external influences do become gay. There are instances that straight guys who engage in gay sex for the sake of experience would eventually become gay. Though there are male prostitutes who remain straight. Kids who were sexually abused by gay men tend to become gay later on. This sexual abuse theory is however controversial and debatable.

There are just too many possibilities and factors involved. I just hope scientists can once and for all give a scientific answer to this never ending question.

Answer 3

BOTH

Studies have shown that homosexuals do have higher estrogen levels and share similar brain activity of women. So this is a case for the NATURE argument.

By NURTURE you don't mean CHOICE right? Because it is extremely stupid and narrow minded to think that homosexuality is a choice. Who in their right minds would choose to be an outsider and be basically a second class citizen (can't marry who you want... can't show public displays of affection)?

If by NURTURE you mean a series of life events that determine your sexuality, then I would say that this does play a role. Just in the same way that NURTURE plays a role in a heterosexual's personality. Your parents relationship with you, your first sexual experiences, tiny things that don't really seem important... all of this adds up and makes up your sexuality.

Answer 4

I am one so I know the answer is born that way!

Just like you.............or did you may the choice to be straight?

I was much loved and Nurtured as a child had a great life but always knew who I was. My earliest memory of my self and identity go back to when I was 3 years old. My whole family parents, and relatives always knew they all have said they knew my whole life, I was always different then other boys in my family and the other girls in my family from toddler on up!

Nature! You lost the debate!

Answer 5

From a purely scientific view: There is increasing evidence to suggest that it is Nature (be it some genetic switch, or increased Androsterone levels in the pre-natal environment...).

From a personal perspective - I'm Bi - I grew to realise my sexuality (I didn't know when I was a screeching, smelly "bundle of joy!") - which is why I can understand that people would think it is a learnt behaviour.

Did you think "Phwoar! Girls!" at age three...?

Answer 6

I truly believe that sexual preference is in the core of a person, those that prefer same sex are born that way..........kinda like I hate vanilla ice cream but love chocolate and no one can change me or my taste in ice cream, it just is what it is. So I think your girlfriend is correct. Just the same as I was born hetro, my environment did not make it so, i just am. Think of it in terms of heterosexual sex, you may find that things your girlfriend does is a turn on yet there are other heterosexuals our there that may be turned off by it, this doesn't make them an oddity or weird, it just is what it is, your own personal taste.

Wow!! I would like to add.....read farther on down to Mac's 181 response!! Just love it!! He had wonderful response (and logic) to all of the negative (god fearing? uneducated? phobic? judgemental?) responses. Give him the 10 points BeeGee!!!

PS...Peace Keeper, comparing cannibalism(food shortages, rituals, sacrifice, so on and so on) to homosexuals is like comparing apples to oranges........Is what you do with your mate "natural" to others, perhaps..perhaps not? While I don't think homosexuals should worry about morals for falling in love with same sex, are you confusing the word "natural?" Is it your set of morals that nags the brain??

Answer 7

I've been gay longer than I can even remember. I knew I was Gay before I knew the definition. I used to think that I was the only one. It was so isolating. I really think that people are all different and can't really be put into "Column A, or Column B". Hope it made sense!

Answer 8

Seriously,

The comments on this post are certainly varied.

Take a look at the 60 Minutes special:

Here's the link:

http://www.borndifferent.org/60-minutes.html

Then, comment your thoughts. I think your mind will be promted in a way quite different from what you may think just now.

Good luck.

Hope this helps.

Answer 9

I won't blame the genes for making the choice I make.
I believe that homosexuals tend to get aroused with same sex because they sense their gender sexual features, and then relate themselves to other person of the same gender.
A clear evidence, it is when a guy knows another guy's intention on a girl when a girl cannot notice. Same if a woman who lies, another woman can identifies easier than a man. Gay people are sensitive to own gender sexual appraisal. They only want to know about the same gender, saving to be hurt emotionally by other gender. They know to appreciate own gender only.

A boy first approach to his sexual life is crucial; he might only identify boy sexual format and not girls. For example, a boy that began his sexual boom, usually explore his body by himself. Nobody on earth will know when his moment will come, even though we can predict it is around the age 5 – 7. Some boys’ sexual onset initiates earlier or later, it depends to their hormone readiness. But, they are alone with their sexual activation doing the play by themselves. Sex is not for play, but a lot of people grow up thinking it is for play.

I am straight because there is the beauty of accepting ONE and unique man for me. I choose to spend my life with him. Man and woman have many differences. I accept to compromise the difference between genders with love. Many gay people fail to love to other gender because of they spend to long believing other gender cannot arouse them. If they do, they think they are bisexual.
It is all sexual complicated matter and immature pleasure. They just cannot understand other gender sexual beauty.
They just can't understand a woman need a man, and a man need a woman. The gay/lesbian message to me is telling that they are sensitive on sexual needs, unwilling love and take care other gender... Who is really sexist?
I don't blame genes, but human is weak to temptation by nature.

Answer 10

They're born that way. Our neighbor had a lesbian cow and many other animals are also homosexual so that means they must be born that way