We're not sure, but all the available evidence suggests that we're born
that way. The old theory about "absent father and close-binding mother"
has been disproved.
There is anecdotal evidence that as many as 80% of humans are capable of intercourse with both men
and women, even though most of us don't
act on it. There is even disagreement about the definition of
"homosexual" -- in some cultures, a male who inserts is considered a
heterosexual no matter what the sex of his partner is. In other
cultures, both men are considered homosexual.
New research suggests it is caused when brain perspective is reversed. The brain is laterally divided into two halves. Both halves are at work, but one or the other is in charge and directs our behavior. Most males, for example, are left-brain dominant, and the left brain's dualistic perspective guides them. This is a perspective that we associate with male behavior. In a few males the right brain directs the thought processes, and when this occurs, those males see reality from the feminine perspective and are attracted to the same things that most women are, men included, giving those males a same-sex attraction. Because we are such complex beings, our sexuality is highly complex and subject to a variety of factors.
Some people believe that it is a chemical imbalance, where others believe that it's the devil inside the mind. I believe that it is in our DNA, and that's why we like what we do.
Most scientific studies point to a strong genetic basis. All these studies are careful to say that sexual orientation is not 100% controlled by genes, and that there is some environmental influence. This is true of everything, even things we think of as completely genetic, such as eye color.
However, twin studies do show that "Fifty-two percent of the identical twin brothers were gay" (as in the twin study linked below), which is on-par with disease we do call "inherited" and "genetic." Though being gay is a trait on par with hair-color and not a disease, the fact that we call a disease "genetic" if 52% of twin share it means something (Bipolar Affective Disorder is one example of a mental disorder than is called "genetic" due to similar twin research results).
Nothing is 100% either way, but sexual orientation is weighted so far toward the genetic side that any other trait of this weighting would be called "genetic.'
Also, just because environment is a factor does not mean it is an environment that anyone has control over, not even the parents. It begins before birth, in the womb.
In the cases cited in the study linked below, the womb environment has been altered by the previous testosterone of the older brothers. So it is still possible to say that men born from such a womb "environment" were "born gay." Their genes probably predisposed them to that, but the environment of the womb changed their development and they were born gay.
It is impossible to find a true scientific study that says genes do NOT play a role. Sexual orientation is innate. While sexual orientation has a genetic component and an environmental component, the "environment" mostly means the level of hormones in our blood before birth, or other factors over which we and our parents have little or no control.
A very misunderstood mix of genetics, environment, culture, personality, education, etc... You could ask Why do some people love fish or What causes someone to be shy vs outgoing and probably get the same answer. There definitely are some causes, but they are far too complex to define precisely, as for the previous examples.
To start, homosexuality is not a disease. The characteristics of homosexuality, however, include being sexually attracted to members of the same sex.
At this moment in time, nobody actually knows what causes someone to be homosexual. No one knows at all, and because of this it is something that you cannot control. Many believe that if you are homosexual, bisexual or heterosexual that you were just born that way. Will this be true?
New research suggests it is caused when brain perspective is reversed. The brain is laterally divided into two halves. Both halves are at work, but one or the other is in charge and directs our behavior. Most males, for example, are left-brain dominant, and the left brain's dualistic perspective guides them. This is a perspective that we associate with male behavior. In a few males the right brain directs the thought processes, and when this occurs, those males see reality from the feminine perspective and are attracted to the same things that most women are, men included, giving those males a same-sex attraction. Because we are such complex beings, our sexuality is highly complex and subject to a variety of factors.
Some people believe that it is a chemical imbalance, where others believe that it's the devil inside the mind. I believe that it is in our DNA, and that's why we like what we do.
Most scientific studies point to a strong genetic basis. All these studies are careful to say that sexual orientation is not 100% controlled by genes, and that there is some environmental influence. This is true of everything, even things we think of as completely genetic, such as eye color.
However, twin studies do show that "Fifty-two percent of the identical twin brothers were gay" (as in the twin study linked below), which is on-par with disease we do call "inherited" and "genetic." Though being gay is a trait on par with hair-color and not a disease, the fact that we call a disease "genetic" if 52% of twin share it means something (Bipolar Affective Disorder is one example of a mental disorder than is called "genetic" due to similar twin research results).
Nothing is 100% either way, but sexual orientation is weighted so far toward the genetic side that any other trait of this weighting would be called "genetic.'
Also, just because environment is a factor does not mean it is an environment that anyone has control over, not even the parents. It begins before birth, in the womb.
In the cases cited in the study linked below, the womb environment has been altered by the previous testosterone of the older brothers. So it is still possible to say that men born from such a womb "environment" were "born gay." Their genes probably predisposed them to that, but the environment of the womb changed their development and they were born gay.
It is impossible to find a true scientific study that says genes do NOT play a role. Sexual orientation is innate. While sexual orientation has a genetic component and an environmental component, the "environment" mostly means the level of hormones in our blood before birth, or other factors over which we and our parents have little or no control.
A very misunderstood mix of genetics, environment, culture, personality, education, etc... You could ask Why do some people love fish or What causes someone to be shy vs outgoing and probably get the same answer. There definitely are some causes, but they are far too complex to define precisely, as for the previous examples.
To start, homosexuality is not a disease. The characteristics of homosexuality, however, include being sexually attracted to members of the same sex.
At this moment in time, nobody actually knows what causes someone to be homosexual. No one knows at all, and because of this it is something that you cannot control. Many believe that if you are homosexual, bisexual or heterosexual that you were just born that way. Will this be true?
Comments are welcome on this blog thank you and stay healthy.
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