Why do people become bisexual and homosexual?

[Saint Frankenstein]

I understand that hormones play a part in biology and behavior. I was getting at that it is more then just hormones. Maybe the hormone bath makes one more or less likely to be homosexual, just like smoking may make you more likely to get cancer. But there is more to it then just that.

Also, masculinity and femininity are a cultural thing, not solely biological.

And I am not quite sure what I am arguing any more.... Stupid cold. I can't concentrate.

Cultural ideas of masculinity and femininity are really just how a given culture handles innate differences between the sexes.

 

[JustCallMeNick]

I just mentioned that because you brought up how gay men are more likely to be gender non-conforming and there some truth to that, same as how when gay men try to be all masculine, it ends up like a caricature.

Some gay men are stereotypically masculine, and it's not a caricature at all. Masculinity is a spectrum; it's not as though you're either masculine or not. You inferred from the testosterone thing that it means gay men, writ large, are less masculine. The situation is more nuanced than that.

 

[JustCallMeNick]

Cultural ideas of masculinity and femininity are really just how a given culture handles innate differences between the sexes.

What are the innate differences between the sexes? Maybe that's a good topic for another thread.

 

[JustCallMeNick]

Started a "Battle of the Sexes" thread here: Battle of Sexes? | ReligiousForums.com

 

[Willamena]

Why do people become bisexual and homosexual?

Has anyone figured out why?

Because what's right for them isn't what society dictates.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

What are the innate differences between the sexes? Maybe that's a good topic for another thread.

In which way? There's biological, physiological, psychological and social differences.

For example: Brain connectivity study reveals striking differences between men and women -- ScienceDaily

 

[JustCallMeNick]

In which way? There's biological, physiological, psychological and social differences.

For example: Brain connectivity study reveals striking differences between men and women -- ScienceDaily

Is that a Western-only sample? What I find interesting is that many differences that are believed to be "innate" are actually cultural. For example, in the West men tend to do better on tests of spatial intelligence. In a particular tribe in the South Pacific, though )the name escapes me at the moment), that is reversed - women actualy do better. Turns out in that tribe women do most of the hunting. I'm not offended or opposed to the idea of there being differences between men and women, but it seems like most of the ones that come to mind are very culturally conditioned.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Is that a Western-only sample? What I find interesting is that many differences that are believed to be "innate" are actually cultural. For example, in the West men tend to do better on tests of spatial intelligence. In a particular tribe in the South Pacific, though )the name escapes me at the moment), that is reversed - women actualy do better. Turns out in that tribe women do most of the hunting. I'm not offended or opposed to the idea of there being differences between men and women, but it seems like most of the ones that come to mind are very culturally conditioned.

I don't know and I've never heard of the tribe(s) you're talking about. That seems to be a very rare example. If true, maybe it has to do with an evolutionary adaptation specific to that group.

I find that the differences tend to be biologically-based. Culture is just a reflection of that. The "tabula rasa" theory is rubbish.

 

[JustCallMeNick]

I'm assuming it's this: Nurture affects gender differences in spatial abilities

 

[LuisDantas]

What kind of hormonal and cultural reasons?

I have no special insight on that, so I won't attempt to guess.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

I'm assuming it's this: Nurture affects gender differences in spatial abilities

You should take a look at this: Does nurture really affect gender differences in spatial abilities? | sexological (The author of that post is a feminist so she has her own biases to deal with.)

So that article you posted doesn't override the neurological data.

 

[Deidre]

Why do people become bisexual and homosexual?

Has anyone figured out why?

Why do people 'become' heterosexual?
Has anyone figured out why?

 

[Willamena]

Why do people 'become' heterosexual?
Has anyone figured out why?

I'd venture that both homosexual and heterosexual relationships are about differences.

Differences count.

 

[Deidre]

I'd venture that both homosexual and heterosexual relationships are about differences.

Differences count.

It has always amazed me how overly focused people become on others' differences. Ever notice that?
I really yearn for the day when people's sexuality and the diversity of sexual expression isn't discussed as though it needs 'correction.' (unless such sexual expression is hurting others, or is of course illegal behavior, etc)

 

[Willamena]

It has always amazed me how overly focused people become on others' differences. Ever notice that?
I really yearn for the day when people's sexuality and the diversity of sexual expression isn't discussed as though it needs 'correction.' (unless such sexual expression is hurting others, or is of course illegal behavior, etc)

Yes. But correcting the other, to become like you, isnt a recognition of differences. It's a recognition of samehood.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Anyway, back to the OP:

Homosexuality May Start in the Womb | Science/AAAS | News
Study: Science Can Change the Sexual Orientations of Mice — The Atlantic

So sexual orientation appears to be largely biologically-conditioned.

 

[JustCallMeNick]

You should take a look at this: Does nurture really affect gender differences in spatial abilities? | sexological (The author of that post is a feminist so she has her own biases to deal with.)

So that article you posted doesn't override the neurological data.

As with any study, it has detractors (oh science, you're such a pain in the *** sometimes). Granted. Whether the neurological differences in the study you posted represent "innate" differences (i.e. in-born and unchangeable) is a different question, though. Interesting sidenote: in many studies researchers have found that when they find neurological differences between men and women, when they study gay men and lesbians on the same measures they tend to come out in the middle of the two. Go figure.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

As with any study, it has detractors (oh science, you're such a pain in the *** sometimes). Granted. Whether the neurological differences in the study you posted represent "innate" differences (i.e. in-born and unchangeable) is a different question, though. Interesting sidenote: in many studies researchers have found that when they find neurological differences between men and women, when they study gay men and lesbians on the same measures they tend to come out in the middle of the two. Go figure.

I'm not sure what you're saying. Are you saying that those neurological differences might be able to change or something?

 

[JustCallMeNick]

I'm not sure what you're saying. Are you saying that those neurological differences might be able to change or something?

Probably not once you're an adult, no. The brain isn't THAT plastic. But if babies were raised from birth in a different culture with different gender norms in terms of "what boys are good at," "what girls are good at," what jobs tend to be occupied by men or women, etc. I imagine you'd see quite a bit of variation.

Since you see the neurological differences between men and women as signs of their innate differences, do you also see the neurological differences between gay and straight people as signs of their innate differences?

 

[Typist]

Why do people become bisexual and homosexual? Has anyone figured out why?

Surely it must be true that some people are born straight and then become gay or bi. The reason is probably as simple as they try it and decide they like it, and/or prefer it to being straight.