Do you agree with American Psychological Association about sexual orientation?

[joko104]

Do you agree or disagree with this statement by the American Psychological Association about sexual orientation?

"What causes a person to have a particular sexual orientation?
There is no consensus among scientists about the exact reasons that an individual develops a heterosexual, bisexual, gay, or lesbian orientation. Although much research has examined the possible genetic, hormonal, developmental, social, and cultural influences on sexual orientation, no findings have emerged that permit scientists to conclude that sexual orientation is determined by any particular factor or factors. Many think that nature and nurture both play complex roles; most people experience little or no sense of choice about their sexual orientation."
Answers to Your Questions For a Better Understanding of Sexual Orientation and Homosexuality

 

[lizzie]

I generally agree fairly strongly. There are multiple factors at play- some of them hormonal and/or genetic, and some of them environmental. For the most part, I don't think they have any choice in the matter, although there are some cases in which they do, but I believe that is more common in older people who have had very negative experiences with the opposite sex, so they seek intimacy in same-sex relationships, and the attraction is more along the lines of psychological and emotional, than purely physical sex drive.

 

[joko104]

Multiple choice public poll.

 

[joko104]

I generally agree fairly strongly. There are multiple factors at play- some of them hormonal and/or genetic, and some of them environmental. For the most part, I don't think they have any choice in the matter, although there are some cases in which they do, but I believe that is more common in older people who have had very negative experiences with the opposite sex, so they seek intimacy in same-sex relationships.

I agree with all of that, but there's a lot of people that will rage against that second sentence as it contradicts "born that way."

 

[MaggieD]

Do you agree or disagree with this statement by the American Psychological Association about sexual orientation?

"What causes a person to have a particular sexual orientation?
There is no consensus among scientists about the exact reasons that an individual develops a heterosexual, bisexual, gay, or lesbian orientation. Although much research has examined the possible genetic, hormonal, developmental, social, and cultural influences on sexual orientation, no findings have emerged that permit scientists to conclude that sexual orientation is determined by any particular factor or factors. Many think that nature and nurture both play complex roles; most people experience little or no sense of choice about their sexual orientation."
Answers to Your Questions For a Better Understanding of Sexual Orientation and Homosexuality

I like this explanation and agree with it. I do think that, sometimes, those seeking same-sex relationships make a conscious choice, though.

 

[iliveonramen]

Do you agree or disagree with this statement by the American Psychological Association about sexual orientation?

"What causes a person to have a particular sexual orientation?
There is no consensus among scientists about the exact reasons that an individual develops a heterosexual, bisexual, gay, or lesbian orientation. Although much research has examined the possible genetic, hormonal, developmental, social, and cultural influences on sexual orientation, no findings have emerged that permit scientists to conclude that sexual orientation is determined by any particular factor or factors. Many think that nature and nurture both play complex roles; most people experience little or no sense of choice about their sexual orientation."
Answers to Your Questions For a Better Understanding of Sexual Orientation and Homosexuality

I disagree with them but don't consider what they printed homphobic.

It basically says there's no consensus. It's not like we have (forgive the pun!) understanding the brain down to a science. We don't know how much personality is determined by your brain and genetics. We know it plays a part.

 

[lizzie]

I agree with all of that, but there's a lot of people that will rage against that second sentence as it contradicts "born that way."

Well, they can rage against it all they want. There is no evidence that there are never cases where choice doesn't play a role. I personally know of several myself, who are friends of mine. My niece was, without a doubt, born that way. My friends that I am referring to, were not. Another friend of mine that I used to work with was, no doubt, born that way. It varies, and my observation is that it usually is not a choice, but there are cases where it is.

 

[Binary_Digit]

Sexual orientation is not either/or, it's a gradient. A person might be 0/100, or 50/50, or 75/25, or anywhere in-between.

I'm sorry, but any dude who can rub himself up against another dude and not only maintain an erection but actually bring himself to orgasm from that is at least part gay.

It's the 50/50 or 75/25 people who can actually "choose". They're the ones who appear to "switch orientation" in prison, only to go back to heterosexuality when they get out. Those of us who are 0/100 simply cannot conjure up any sexual attraction for the 0% sex. It's just not a choice for us.

Societies that have harsh laws against homosexuality still have homosexuals in their populations. Can anyone who is heterosexual honestly see themselves waking up one day and saying to themselves, "You know, I'm going to CHOOSE to sleep with a MAN today instead of a woman, even though I may be hanged for it, only because it's just soooo worth it!"? Why would anyone risk their life to eat crap, when it's perfectly legal to eat steak? Because to them it's not crap. For them it's not a conscious choice.

 

[CLAX1911]

I believe there are many factors at play, that sometimes even includes a choice. I don't think it is the same for everybody. I have met folks that say they are gay because they were molested. Done because they had bad relationships with the opposite sex others say they were born that way. I think there is truth in all of that personally.

 

[ecofarm]

I agree with all of that, but there's a lot of people that will rage against that second sentence as it contradicts "born that way."

"Born that way" is a sufficient description of that which is not chosen.

 

[Gipper]

Men are born that way. Women become that way when the boyfriend dumps them.

 

[Lovebug]

There is no consensus among scientists about the exact reasons that an individual develops a heterosexual, bisexual, gay, or lesbian orientation. Although much research has examined the possible

It means their, although a bit more educated, opinion is worth as much as mine, which is simply that some people are confused and go against what nature intended.
If you don't share my opinion that's just fine, because yours holds just as much water as mine.

 

[clownboy]

It's like poker, you are dealt the cards you are dealt, how you play them is up to you and the others you're playing with. Being dealt two pair initially doesn't mean you're going to play two pair. That may indeed be the result of your play, but that's not a certainty.

 

[Dittohead not!]

It's like poker,

or poke him, as the case may be.

Orientation is not a choice. Activity is a choice. Some homosexuals no doubt choose hetero activity in order not to be ostracized.

 

[mak2]

Or you give them six pack...

Men are born that way. Women become that way when the boyfriend dumps them.

 

[lizzie]

Men are born that way. Women become that way when the boyfriend dumps them.

Not at all. My niece was pretty obviously lesbian by the time she was 12 years old, and has never had a relationship with a guy.

 

[Gipper]

Scratch that.

 

[whysoserious]

I would say until they definitively prove the source one way or another, of course it's up in the air. Especially since they have recently shown that certain genes can trigger from environmental stimuli - which is crazy to me.

 

[Slartibartfast]

Men are born that way. Women become that way when the boyfriend dumps them.

This is more common than people realize. A few of my female friends went through a lesbian period after heart brake to end up with a guy after a few years

 

[Gipper]

This is more common than people realize. A few of my female friends went through a lesbian period after heart brake to end up with a guy after a few years

Yup. While I was being a bit of a smartass, and it's obviously not a full "transition", I've seen what you've described plenty to know that it's more of a phenomenon and not an isolated incident.

 

[Slartibartfast]

Yup. While I was being a bit of a smartass, and it's obviously not a full "transition", I've seen what you've described plenty to know that it's more of a phenomenon and not an isolated incident.

Alternatively my girlfriend is completely heterosexual as far as I can tell. She has had her emotional ass kicked by men more often than not and can't stand the thought of being with a chick and even when she had threesomes the chicks were ugh to her.

 

[Gipper]

Alternatively my girlfriend is completely heterosexual as far as I can tell. She has had her emotional ass kicked by men more often than not and can't stand the thought of being with a chick and even when she had threesomes the chicks were ugh to her.

She sure can pick 'em. Hopefully she's not bringing baggage to your relationship.

Threesomes suck if she's not at all into them. Selfish dudes.

 

[Slartibartfast]

She sure can pick 'em. Hopefully she's not bringing baggage to your relationship.

Threesomes suck if she's not at all into them. Selfish dudes.

Surprisingly she sees me as that diamond in the rough because I am not a biker or other rough type. She is done with that type. While I got my bad boy side it's more psychological and less testosterone based. But I am the first non country guy she met and she is from the deep back woods of alabama, so my urban type is something new for her

But she almost never mentions old boyfriends or reacts to something that is a reminder. The only thing has been me needing to tone down my dominance during sex a bit due her being raped twice in her past and irrational fear of anal sex for the same reason.

 

[AGENT J]

like it was already posted, orientation is orientation

now you may have a variance of bisexual orientation 50/50, 60/40, 70/30 etc but thats about it.

anybody that CHOOSES a different sexual "preference" didnt change their orientation they were already bisexual by some degree or another form of sexual orientation or lack there of. It has also been suggested that women on a much greater level are ranges of bi more so than men.

 

[joko104]

like it was already posted, orientation is orientation

now you may have a variance of bisexual orientation 50/50, 60/40, 70/30 etc but thats about it.

anybody that CHOOSES a different sexual "preference" didnt change their orientation they were already bisexual by some degree or another form of sexual orientation or lack there of. It has also been suggested that women on a much greater level are ranges of bi more so than men.

So you claim the American Psychological Associate is wrong.