Conflicting Perspectives Of Traditional And Homosexuality

Abstract

Are there any relative theories that can separate the understanding of sexual orientation and gender identity? I will try to correlate between traditional relationships versus homosexuality relationships. However, there are too many variables seem to have a cause or causes of homosexuality. I will try to relate some basic theories and definitions of several ideas that can be confusing. Several research studies have been completed, and none of them showed any reason to believe in one cause of how homosexuality begins. One major theory I will make is in connection with is called "social-cognitive theory" and gender schema theory (Psychology 7th edition, David Myers, Module 6 page 125 and Module 35 pages 472-483). I believe that for anyone to get complete understanding of homosexuality and its nature of causes we need to look at it in a process of stages.

Conflicting Perspectives of Traditional and Homosexual

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

First thing, is to define the clarity of several terms before going into the process of theories. What is sexual orientation? Sexual orientation is the direction of one's sexual interest toward members of the same, opposite, or both sexes (Webster's Dictionary). However, just those two really do not explain nor do they justify any causes. In addition, according to society and history, what is the meaning of relationship, and marriage? Once again defining terms that have been used traditionally in society is the term heterosexual orientation. A relationship is defined as "the condition or fact of being related; connection or association; connection by blood or marriage; kinship. A particular type of connection existing between people related to or having dealings with each other: has a close relationship with his siblings, a romantic or sexual involvement as for the definition of marriage, "the legal union of a man and woman as a husband and wife, though the definition might be evolving. [Or] the legal union of a man and woman as husband and wife. Or the state of being married; wedlock: A common-law marriage; a union between two persons having the customary but usually not the legal force of marriage: a same-sex marriage (Webster's Dictionary)."

According to the textbook, gender identity is "one's sense of being male or female." Now as for the theory, that can be related to social-cognitive. The meaning of social learning theory is that we learn social behaviors by observing and imitating and by being rewarded or punished. Again, the textbook states, "when families discourage traditional gender typing, children organize themselves

into boy worlds and girl worlds, each guided by rules for what boys and girls do." (125)

Sample Theory

I will explain this in a case study theory and setting to see a better idea of how this works. We have 30 or 40 children ages between 5 and 6 years old. The median for the male and female is 50 percent. As we observe them play amongst themselves, we will see that one male and one female will be either playing alone or playing with the opposite gender. What will this demonstrate? I will explain this process in relative to the theory of social cognitive (social learning theory) and gender schema theories. Here is how it works, as the male child is teased or rejected by his peers for some inexcusable reason. The child will find some way to fit in with the other children. By doing so he will start playing with toys alone and away from the other children, feeling isolated, and the boy child could attempt to socialize with the girls. Sometimes a one of the girls could feel sorry for the little boy and start socializing with the male child so that he has a friend. As these children continue to get older and going through the stages of development, some changes take place.

However, I need to make a standpoint in reference to this theory. I have reviewed several research studies that seem plausible or even making some aspect to consider other theories. Could this type of behavior best described as a biological condition that linked to brain cells or is it linked to twin studies, or even a cause to think that it is a birth order and the family structure? What would cause such a child to be pushed aside during a crucial time of development? This needs to be focused on in more detail. I do not have an answer to this question. However, researchers have made several claims that homosexuality has many factors that can be causing individuals to have physical attractions to the same biological sex. Going back to the theory case study, the child learns to develop a gender role based on sociological identity to carry out the biological gender identity. In addition, those children that are rejected by their peers tend to take on a secret gender identity. These children go through adolescents and into there adult life, being confused of their gender orientation. How many boys and girls have been studied bases on this type of study? I did find several case studies that made claims that homosexuals had no fathers in their lives. Lack of founding evidences in that claim has any sound causes. I do believe that social learning and the environment are major causes for homosexuality.

Nevertheless, if a male child goes through the development being rejected by his peers from childhood, to adolescents, and into teenage years. What effects does this have on this child? What if this child was female being rejected by her peers? What if the child was a female and she developed a male gender role. As in the theory case study, regardless if it was male or female, both would act there biological gender according to the view of society. As these children developed, by the time they reached the age of puberty and being more active in same gender activities something happens to these outcast children. Based on biological assumptions, if homosexuality is a disease than it needs to be defined as such, however, has been removed from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and declared as not being a disease nor is it classified as a disorder. I have to agree that homosexuality is not a disease or a disorder. I do think that homosexuality is a social disorder that develops at a very young age.

Actual Research

There are several different claims in reference of Homosexuality and Sexual Orientation. Most researchers have a difficult time trying to place an exact cause of effect on homosexuality. After reviewing