Interesting Topics of Homosexuality
▶ Is homosexuality due to nature or nurture?
Science has looked at the causes of homosexuality, and more generically the causes of human sexual orientation, with the general conclusions being related to biological and environmental factors. The biological factors that have been researched are genetic and hormonal, particularly during the fetal developmental period, that influence the resulting brain structure, and other characteristics such as handedness. There are a wide range of environmental factors (sociological, psychological, or early uterine environment), and various biological factors, that may influence sexual orientation.
"Sexual orientation probably is not determined by any one factor but by a combination of genetic, hormonal, and environmental influences. In recent decades, biologically based theories have been favored by experts. Although there continues to be controversy and uncertainty as to the genesis of the variety of human sexual orientations, there is no scientific evidence that abnormal parenting, sexual abuse, or other adverse life events influence sexual orientation. Current knowledge suggests that sexual orientation is usually established during early childhood." - The American Academy of Pediatrics in Pediatrics, 2004
"The available evidence indicates that the vast majority of lesbian and gay adults were raised by heterosexual parents and the vast majority of children raised by lesbian and gay parents eventually grow up to be heterosexual." - The American Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association, and National Association of Social Workers, 2006
"Despite almost a century of psychoanalytic and psychological speculation, there is no substantive evidence to support the suggestion that the nature of parenting or early childhood experiences play any role in the formation of a person's fundamental heterosexual or homosexual orientation. It would appear that sexual orientation is biological in nature, determined by a complex interplay of genetic factors and the early uterine environment." - The Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2007
"Sexual orientation probably is not determined by any one factor but by a combination of genetic, hormonal, and environmental influences. In recent decades, biologically based theories have been favored by experts. Although there continues to be controversy and uncertainty as to the genesis of the variety of human sexual orientations, there is no scientific evidence that abnormal parenting, sexual abuse, or other adverse life events influence sexual orientation. Current knowledge suggests that sexual orientation is usually established during early childhood." - The American Academy of Pediatrics in Pediatrics, 2004
"The available evidence indicates that the vast majority of lesbian and gay adults were raised by heterosexual parents and the vast majority of children raised by lesbian and gay parents eventually grow up to be heterosexual." - The American Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association, and National Association of Social Workers, 2006
"Despite almost a century of psychoanalytic and psychological speculation, there is no substantive evidence to support the suggestion that the nature of parenting or early childhood experiences play any role in the formation of a person's fundamental heterosexual or homosexual orientation. It would appear that sexual orientation is biological in nature, determined by a complex interplay of genetic factors and the early uterine environment." - The Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2007
▶ Should gay marriage be allowed?
Pro-gay-marriage arguments:
- Gay marriage is protected by the Constitution's commitments to liberty and equality. - Gay couples have the rights, just as heterosexual couples do, to publicly celebrate their commitment and to have access to the same benefits. - Marriage is a secular institution that should not be limited by religious objections; gay couple may adopt and provide stable homes for children who would otherwise be left in foster care. |
Anti-gay-marriage arguments:
- Marriage is a privilege, not a right; therefore, gay marriage is not a civil right issue. - The institution of marriage has traditionally been defined as between a man and a woman; allowing gay couples to marry will weaken the institution of marriage. - Gay marriage may lead to more children being raised in homosexual households: not an optimum environment that lacks a mother or a father |
▶ The acceptance of homosexuality depends on how much society leans on religions.
There is a strong correlation between a country's religiosity and its tolerance of homosexuality. There is far less acceptance of homosexuality in countries where religion is central to people's lives. (The religiosity is measured by whether the people consider their religion to be very important, whether they think religious faith to be necessary for morality, and whether they pray at least once a day.
There are some notable exceptions, however. For example, Russia and China receive low scores on the religiosity scale, which would suggest higher levels of tolerance for homosexuality. Yet, just 16% of Russians and 21% of Chinese say homosexuality should be accepted by society. Conversely, Brazilians and Filipinos are considerably more tolerant of homosexuality than their countries’ relatively high levels of religiosity would suggest.
In Israel, where views of homosexuality are mixed, secular Jews are more than twice as likely as those who describe themselves as traditional, religious or ultra-Orthodox to say homosexuality should be accepted (61% vs. 26%); just 2% of Israeli Muslims share this view.
There are some notable exceptions, however. For example, Russia and China receive low scores on the religiosity scale, which would suggest higher levels of tolerance for homosexuality. Yet, just 16% of Russians and 21% of Chinese say homosexuality should be accepted by society. Conversely, Brazilians and Filipinos are considerably more tolerant of homosexuality than their countries’ relatively high levels of religiosity would suggest.
In Israel, where views of homosexuality are mixed, secular Jews are more than twice as likely as those who describe themselves as traditional, religious or ultra-Orthodox to say homosexuality should be accepted (61% vs. 26%); just 2% of Israeli Muslims share this view.