The origins of sexual orientation remain a matter of debate amongst scientists as well as the broad circles of society. The researchers of human sexual behavior, psychologists, sociologist, doctors, and genetics still have not reached a consensus on whether sexual orientation is inborn or socially influenced and constructed. As a result, societal attitude to this issue is still controversial.
A number of theories introduced by such researchers state that homosexuality may be the result of certain peculiar properties of a fetus’ prenatal development (Garcia-Falgueras & Swaab. 2009), or genetic characteristics of an individual (Gavrilets & Rice, 2006). The opposing group of researchers, however, argues that homosexuality is a result – or eve a "pathology" – of postnatal development, childhood traumas, socialization or parental influence (Nicolosi, Byrd & Potts, 2000). In my opinion, the origins of sexual orientation are associated with psychological development of children and youth. I firmly believe that it is extremely important to understand this fact because it might help to treat people of untraditional sexual orientation with a greater level of understanding. In my opinion, this understanding might also impact not only the social and ethical aspect of the question, but also the legal one. As a result, same gender marriages will be considered equal to more traditional marriages.
It is important to understand the roots of the human sexual orientation. However, if a person is homophobic, he or she still will be homophobic regardless of what the scientists will figure out. One may believe that homosexuality is inborn and claim that it is a disease that has to be treated – after all, we treat other inborn diseases such as cardiac anomaly. Nevertheless, homophobia that is rooted in the belief that homosexuality is a choice may have more social consequences and be more dangerous for homosexual people. Hence, it is necessary to make people understand the real roots of this phenomenon and change their attitude towards homosexual people as a result.
References
Garcia-Falgueras, A., & Swaab, D. F. (2009). Sexual hormones and the brain: an essential alliance for sexual identity and sexual orientation.
Gavrilets, S., & Rice, W. R. (2006). Genetic models of homosexuality: generating testable predictions. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B: Biological Sciences, 273(1605), 3031-3038.
Nicolosi, J., Byrd, A. D., & Potts, R. W. (2000). Beliefs and practices of therapists who practice sexual reorientation psychotherapy. Psychological reports, 86(2), 689-702.
