Do you think that sexual orientation is acquired or genetic?

Question

I'm asking this question for a research project in my AP Psychology class. Please answer and explain why you think so. Also, please tell your backround (your orientation, sex, and race). Thank you!

Answer 1

I think a "true" homosexual is born that way.

However there are a lot of people today who "play" at being homosexual because it's seems to be the thing to do.....especially females.

Answer 2

Gender: Male
Orientation: Heterosexual
Race: I'm not giving that out, sorry

I've read a number of articles on the source of sexual orientation, and so far there seem to be three main points the scientists have demonstrated:
1. A large part of sexual orientation is genetic.
2. Despite 1, some parts of sexual orientation are not genetic but due to the person's environment.
3. The part that IS due to the person's environment is mostly determined when the child is only a few years old, long before it has any refined concept of sexuality.
Note that this is NOT just my opinion, but rather there is actual research and statistics backing it up. In other words, if you're wondering whether the homophobes have an argument when they say 'homosexuality is the person's choice', the answer has already shown to be no.

Answer 3

I believe it is genetic. I am 45, female, tomboyish as a child,white. I have had feelings for the same sex since I can remember back. First or Second grade. About 7 years old when I knew. The chemistry in your body is what I feel makes u feel the way u do, when u look at someone. Chemistry, meaning DNA, more male hormones produced than female.
Good luck on your project.

Answer 4

Both. Some folks choose the life that they live, for others of us, it's nature.
I'm a gay black female. But every since I've had the ability to distinguish the difference between a man and a woman, I've always been drawn to women. I don't know if my father being absent had something to do with it or not. But I love the way I am, I wouldn't change it for anything in the world because that's what makes me who I am. I embrace my 'homo-ness' (lol) whereas other people shun it.
I do know several people that choose the life that they live though. They have an interest in the same sex and instead of thinking of it as forbidden, they explore it. Some of them have been dating the same sex for years, but when I ask them if they would marry a person of the same sex, they often tell me 'no' or say it's just a phase that they're going through. A lot of hetero people tell me that they really feel that homosexuality is just a 'phase' that people go through. But in the words of Kat Williams, 'If people been saying the same stuff about you for 20 years............ "
But on another note, by nature all animals are bisexual. In studies done observing animals, they are or have homosexual tendencies. Scientists also say if we as humans did not have any social standards that we'd be homosexual, bisexual, whatever the case may be without any problems.
Hope that helped you.

peace
Aqish

Answer 5

Of course it's Genetic. I've been gay since birth. You can't acquire sexual orientation. It's human nature. You can experiment but inside you are either gay or straight. It's as simple as that. If you were born straight then you have no interest in being with someone of the same sex. If you were born gay the you have no interest in being with someone of the opposite sex. It really is that simple. There is alot of experimentation and alot of people call themselve Bi but it's still just that, experimentation. You "prefer" either sex with the opposite sex or sex with the "same" sex. PERIOD

Answer 6

I think that sexual orientation can be both acquired and genetic. I think that most Bi-sexuals choose to be bi-sexual, because they like both men and women, and have control over which sex dominates thier relationships.

But, I think that most homosexuality is genetic, because the person only is focused on one sex and not both at the same time. Also, a little while ago, I saw an article on Yahoo News that there might be a homosexuality gene that people are born with.

As far as my background goes: Male, African American, and I am straight. Only girls for me!!

Answer 7

Genetic

Answer 8

It is genetic.

Even the ultra conservative president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary has said that scientific research "points to some level of biological causation" for homosexuality & "I am absolutely confident that a large number of homosexuals are telling the truth when they say they did not choose that orientation."

An October 2004 scientific research publication stated that scientists at the University of Padua have found that women tend to have more children when they inherit the same genetic factors linked to homosexuality in men. This fertility boost more than compensates for the lack of offspring fathered by gay men, and keeps the “gay” genetic factors in circulation.

Another study published in Human Genetics in February 2006 examined X chromosome inactivation in mothers of gay sons and mothers whose sons were not gay. Researchers found extreme differences between women who had gay sons and women who did not.

A Canadian university study published in June of 2006 stated that, although researchers have known for years that a man's likelihood of being gay rises with the number of older biological brothers, that the new study found that the so-called "fraternal birth order effect" persists even if gay men were raised away from their biological families.

A January 2007 report suggested to be gay you need to receive one gay gene from both parents, and that those with only one gay gene have a selective advantage because they are heterosexual but have increased style, male sex drive, charm and seductiveness towards women.

Answer 9

certain aspects of the mind I would think are genetic however overall it is a learned experience,that one can have and never repeat or with those propensities within the mind continue. Either from pleasure or obsession,or deep abiding friendship or perhaps all of the above ,and it becomes a way of life.

Answer 10

Can't say for sure if it's genetic but in my case I often wonder. I have 3 gay cousins all from different siblings of my father so....I might lean towards that. Then again I think sexuality is something that is gradually understood when the sexual stimuli and hormones kick in. It sure wasn't for the opposite sex!

Answer 11

I believe one's base orientation is genetic, however one can expand on one's orientation. For example, plain gay or straight would be one's base orientation. However, they could expand towards bi and pan. Some people might be born bi.

Orientation: Mostly Straight Pan
Sex: Male
Gender: Mixed
Race: mongrel