is your sexual orientation a choice or is it inherent to the person?

Answer 1

I believe that everyone is born a clean slate, and not "gay" or "straight." I think your sexual orientation is born from your environment and surroundings. I definitely don't believe you can "inherit" your sexual orientation from a parent or family member.

Answer 2

There has been no evidence to support the notion that sexual orientation is genetic, although many have tried to find it. The studies which appeared to support it were later determined to be flawed and could not be reproduced.
There are common threads that the homosexual population shares at a much greater frequency than the heterosexual population, implying that it is nurture which determines an individual's sexual orientation. One of the most significant threads is some form of abuse before the individual reached puberty. This could be sexual or psychological. Many of the individuals report difficulty connecting with members of the same sex at a young age also, due to various reasons, shame being the most paramount. Primarily males report feeling ashamed to adopt the characteristics of what they perceive to be a man, which is why statistically a boy living with a mother or sisters who have been ill treated by men is more likely to become homosexual. If you're a college student and have access to research databases, you can easily find a multitude of studies supporting the fact that homosexuality is due to nurture, and not something we are born with.

Answer 3

This is like, the great debate.
I personally don't think it's one or the other. I think it's a mix. Obviously, you choose to have the actual sex. You could just not have sex. Some people are just "more gay" than others too. Some of them CAN get married and have kids. They are probably bi, or maybe they never were gay, I don't know. But some even go to therapy trying to change, but they can't. Could you change who you are attracted to? It's like a scale from one to ten. You might be a one: totally straight, could never swing. Or a ten: super gay. Or a five: bi. Or a four or six: you probably have some choices. Personality indicates if you can enjoy something unnatural to you. I just think sexuality is spread along an invisible scale like that. It's not black and white, gay or not gay, forever.

I think it's a mixture of biological and environmental factors. A lot of homosexuals were molested as children, or grew up without fathers. A lot made friends with gay people in high school, because they were accepted by them, or they acted more feminine than other guys. But twin studies have been done that show there is probably a biological trigger. Nothing has been proven in that area yet. I don't think many people would choose to be gay. A lot of gay people are depressed. I don't know why, maybe it's the whole non-acceptance thing. A lot of people think it's RIGHT to be openly nasty to gay people. But then again, just about everybody was gay, bi, or child molesting in ancient Rome, because it was the style, which indicates environmental causes. Plus there are prisons. I think in the right place and time, you can swing if you want to. It's easy to think that everyone might be bi, but we just swing one way or the other because of influences. But anyway, I think there are just too many different cases and stories to say it is one or the other. I think it depends on the person and the factors that caused it. You have to talk to them and look at their lives. You do see people who have changed, people who clearly had all the usual influential environmental factors, people who started out doing it for attention, people who don't seem gay at all but are despite a normal upbringing, and other things. I think a gay person can be born with a biological "trigger" or a pre-disposition to it that can be "turned on" by environmental factors.
If it's you, examine your life, the strength of the attraction, if you can work it out with your beliefs, when it started and why, and make a decision on how it began for you. If it's not you, well, mind your business.

Answer 4

This is not real concrete answer to this issue yet, nor would i have the time to give you a proper summary. However, the current research suggests it's not a simple nature vs nurture question. That is that sexuality would seem to be constructed from the influence of biological and envrionmental factors. If yuo're really interested look for studies looking at: post-mortem neuroanatomy studies, Fmri studies, twin studies etc to give yourself a better idea. Anyone who posts sayin it is one way or the other or x% this x% that is misinformed.

I'd alos like to add that people don't have to be GAY/BI/STRAIGHT all the info from science thus far indicates sexuality exists across a spectrum, these concepts are socially constructed and quite irrelevenat in the grand scheme of things.

Good question.

Answer 5

It's your choice (I know I'm gonna get thumbs down for this, but lets not try and stop freeness of speech).

It must be because I have read many a question here asking how to change a person's orientation (because of a crush or other interest).

It's also evident in that some people have changed their orientation later in life, due to either a religious belief or something else. For those who change in mid-life, and those who don't, how can we tell the difference? Or, maybe some might argue that those who changed never really were their orientation, but we wouldn't know until a person expires, whether or not they were going to change or not, but then what about those who are bi? You see, it must be a choice.

Answer 6

Answer this.... nature v. nurture?

Personally, I believe it's a mix of both influences. Nature AND nurture. So to answer your q., sexual orientation is both a result of choice/influences (nurture) and what is inherent (nature)... sorry I'm can't be anymore clearer, hope others answer and can give you their definite thoughts on this.

Answer 7

I believe it's inherent. I didn't choose my sexual orientation, and I don't know anyone who did.

Answer 8

If you are asking: Is homosexuality a learned behavior the answer is NO. It has been proven years ago that this is a physical abnormality we are born with; similar to if a person is born with a chemical imbalance (that is only an example).

I do not believe any person "chooses" to be gay. Why would they. Would you choose to be something that would leave you open to ridicule, hatred, ostrization your entire life?

Answer 9

As a professional with a background in psychology, human sexuality and diversity, the argument that there is no 'gay gene' is an interesting one because scientific study can rarely prove or disprove anything.

What we usually do with research is gather evidence and draw conclusions. As we gather more evidence, we determine whether we have more or less support for our hypotheses and conclusions.

Like intelligence and other human aspects that have genetic predispositions, the interaction between genetics and environment is a challenging one to distinguish, although we can provide evidence for both genetic and environmental influences, factors and interactions.

Same-sex attraction has been demonstrated to exist within other species, animal and insect, and Professor Abbott acknowledges that genetic predispositions exist.

The consensus in many professions - psychology, psychiatry, medical - is that orientation has biological and genetic influences and components. These professional associations contend that sexual orientation is an inherent part of who a person is and attempts to change a person's orientation can be harmful.

At least one religious perspective, Roman Catholic, also believes that sexual orientation is inherent to who we are as individual human beings. Although, the Church teaches that individuals should not act upon this inherent aspect.

It is also understandable that some people want to change their orientation because we live in a culture which supports prejudice and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. For related information about reparative therapy and research, please visit: http://psychology.ucdavis.edu/rainbow/html/facts_changing.html

Genetics versus environment becomes a hot button topic for people because of the implications and conclusions that have resulted from something considered to be a choice rather than biologically-based. Choice of one's intimate sexual or life partner involves making a choice. Choice of one's (consensual adult) partner should not determine whether one deserves to have equal rights or respect as a human being.

While choice should not be a factor in whether or not our government or individuals endorse discrimination, it has been. When people use the argument that sexual orientation is merely a preference and individuals can choose not to act upon their preferences, it is often used to justify denying equal rights for individuals in same-sex relationships - we don't usually hear anyone proposing to change people from having a heterosexual preference - and to encourage people not to accept who they are as a gay, lesbian or bisexual individual.

Research has also documented that the experience of prejudice and discrimination can have negative health impacts. Recently, three former leaders of Exodus International, a national ex-gay ministry, apologized for the harm they have caused so many gay men and lesbians who believed the group's message that sexual orientation could be changed through prayer, according to a June 28 article in the Los Angeles Times.

It is very important to consider how we deal with the issue of sexual orientation including and going beyond the concept of choice. While Professor Abbott has the right to believe that sexual orientation is a preference, there is ample evidence that it is not that simple.

While there are those who agree with him, it is also clear that the scientific consensus in many areas indicates that people of all sexual orientations deserve to have access to medically-accurate, comprehensive and inclusive sexuality education and resources and that reparative therapy is considered to be harmful.

Currently, we do not have government policies in these areas that are data-driven or that are effective in improving health outcomes. Many of the attitudes our society has about sexuality, sexual orientation and gender identity and expression have resulted in negative attitudes and outcomes for many people, including our youth, the LGBTQ community and our friends and families.

Sexuality is an integral part of who we are as human beings and all aspects of who we are as human beings deserve to be treated with respect.

Answer 10

it is inherit to the person... unfortunately because of environment the weaker personalities got deceived and influenced.

It will take good parents to guide their children to the right direction. It is very important that the father and mother are always around especially when kids are still growing up.