Early Child Sexual Abuse and its Connection to Homosexual Behaviors
When one hears about the term ‘homosexuality’, people often have various sentiments when it comes to how it occurs and how to treat those from this gender class. Some people tend to ignore homosexuals as they believe they are deviating from the social classes. Others would blatantly show their hatred towards these homosexuals because of what they stand for in society. With rules now in place protecting the rights and liberties of homosexuals and their continuous growth in numbers, experts have tried to determine factors as to why homosexual tendencies tend to develop in men. Some argued that homosexuality persists because they must have experienced early child sexual abuse which may have affected their mindset in some way; but there are groups who argue against this as other studies point out homosexuality is not a clear byproduct of child sexual abuse trauma. While there is a possibility of homosexuality developing as an effect of early child sexual abuse, homosexuals – especially men- tend to identify other major factors for influencing their sexual preferences which studies also point out as possible causes for homosexuality.
Experts have long been divided over the major reasons as to why homosexuality persists especially for men, but there is a growing movement expressing that someone with child sexual abuse history will become a homosexual. Cramer (2015) stated that child sexual abuse survivors often exhibit signs of social dysfunctions that distorts their interpretation of their situation and social preferences. Some would shy away from sex and disable them from creating relationships depending on the severity of their experience; but, the trauma caused by direct or indirect child sexual abuse causes the victims to question their identity and start developing homosexual lifestyles so that they can cope from their ordeal. In some instances, it can be said that the victims of sexual abuse in their childhood loses their self-esteem and self-concept to the extent they become susceptible to the idea of homosexuality as if they are recruited to this sexual preference .
Considering this specific impact of early child sexual abuse and how it triggers homosexuality, there are groups and experts citing that these trends must be analyzed as it may be the cause of the growing number of pedophiles and victims of child sexual abuse. Clowes and Sonnier (2010) stated that homosexuals tend to develop sexual preferences leaning towards a younger category. Several studies cited in the Archives of Sexual Behavior indicated that most homosexuals have admitted that they have engaged in sexual activity with pubescent underage children. These homosexuals or pedophiles develop sexual fantasies and they would go to jobs that would allow them to reach out to their preferred targets. Some of the jobs these pedophiles would engage into include clergymen work, teachers and Boy Scout leaders. In the United States, this trend is proven by the number of recorded of sexual abuse in schools, church and even in the Boy Scouts .
Despite these studies showcasing the relationship of homosexuality and sexual abuse, Street (2006) stated that researchers and homosexual activists nowadays tend to overlook the numbers showing the growth of homosexual acts and how it correlates to the growing number of homosexuals and pedophilia. This argument is supported by several studies such as the analysis of known child sex-abuse expert David Finkelhor. Finkelhor stated that boys who were victims of child sexual abuse are over ‘four times’ more likely to become homosexuals themselves as compared to non-victims. He further digresses that these male adolescents link their homosexuality because of these experiences. Aside from Finkelhor, additional studies also showed similar trends with victims of child sexual abuse and their homosexual tendencies such as the 1985 study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health Care and the 2001 Archives of Sexual Behavior Report. In the 1985 study, the authors Robert Johnson and Diane Shrier indicated that a survey done in a health clinic showed that the males who have visited that health clinic reported that they were sexually abused or forced to engage in such sexual activity before they reach the age of puberty. In the same study, they pointed out that the participants were either homosexual or bisexual at the time of the study. The similar trend was reported in 2001 study where E. Tomeo Marie and others reported that in their study, 46% of homosexual men and 22% of homosexual women were molested by a person from the same gender in comparison to the 7 and 1% reports of heterosexual men and women who reported the same incident .
In contrast, while it is true that early childhood sexual abuse can be a cause for homosexuality in either male or female victims, there are experts who question this argument. Stewart (2003) indicate that there is no clear reason as to what can cause homosexuality to develop and if there is a connection to homosexuality for victims of childhood sexual abuse. In 1994, the American Psychiatric Association stated that no one can really tell what causes a person to become heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual and how perceived factors can influence its onset. Homosexuals themselves do not identify sexual abuse to be a part of their history and it is not a prevalent cause for their sexual preference . Wardle (2007) added that considering homosexual behavior and abuse has a relationship can be very difficult to support. Using this argument may instigate further arguments regarding influence of stereotypes to the perceptions of many regarding the issue and it may also close the people’s eyes when it comes to other critical factors which invoked either the abuse or homosexuality .
Bronski, Pellegrini and Amico (2013) argued that the argument that sexual abuse triggers homosexuality is questionable because children and people in general have different ways on exploring and learning about their sexual preferences. Children are not completely without an idea of their sexual feelings and interests in contrary to what people often think of when it comes to a child’s innocence. However, by the 1970s, there was a growing clash in the United States between feminists and LGBT-rights activists calling for protection. The feminist groups stressed that children were the most oppressed members of society and called for these children to act against abuse and oppression. The ideas led towards the creation of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act in 1974; however, it had only reinforced further oppression. Around the same period, the LGBT rights groups had slowly started to gain momentum in getting antidiscrimination ordinances that would protect them from discrimination from the public. As a response to this growing support for LGBT rights, a feminist, devout Christian and popular singer Anita Bryant created the group called “Save Our Children”. The advocacy group fought against the antidiscrimination ordinance and stressed that it will allow LGBTs to recruit children to develop ‘homosexuality’ through their open practice of their sexual preferences or sexual seduction. Her movement against the LGBT ordinance was successful and it has spread to other cities.
The result of this perception on homosexuality and molestation of children is the creation of the notion that an innocent child can easily be corrupted especially if they are influenced by ‘bad influences’ such as homosexuals. These groups obscure the real notion of what childhood sexual abuse really is and disregards the fact that they do not listen to the side of the homosexuals they are implicating of such crime. Mass media further solidifies this notion that childhood sexual abuse does have the capacity to trigger homosexuality as seen in films like ‘Sleepers (1996) and the television show ‘To Catch a Predator (2004-2007)’. In these shows it is often presented that homosexuals are implied to be the abusers of children. These beliefs, as a result, often causes young children to force themselves into one sexual preference and disable them from understanding their own sexuality. While others would be able to hold on to their urges to explore to prevent society from prejudging them, some children would still push towards homosexual behaviors because they want to make informed decisions and not because of child sexual abuse history .
Studies have also pointed out that a child’s development and his environment can play a significant role in their homosexual behaviors. According to Dailey and Sprigg (2004), a majority of psychological studies in the past and even in the present showcase that homosexuality tends to develop due to how they are taught or forced to develop. In a study in 1993, a child’s experiences in the first four years of his life can play a role in their sexual preferences as it is the time where they learn various emotions and understand the expectations around him. For young boys, it is around this phase that they try to “dis-identify” themselves from their mothers and gain a sense of maleness. If the child comes from a single or separate family, homosexuals tend to develop more of the traits of their remaining parent. For male homosexuals, their fathers are often absent or autocratic, forcing them to stay closer to their mothers. These homosexuals also report that they do not receive the same attention and support from their fathers, prompting them to look towards their mothers and use them as their model for their development.
Aside from the developmental and familial factors, homosexuality mostly develops due to urbanization and education and not by just having a history of child sexual abuse. Homosexuals and homosexual tendencies tend to grow if they are in a community that has homosexuals in it and it is most often that they are located in the urban areas. If a person often frequents known homosexual areas like clubs or establishments, they become inclined to practice homosexuality and in turn, develop these urges. Education also plays a huge role in the development of homosexuality as education, like parents, would assist children in understanding the differences in sexual preferences. As children learn and enter a specific educational level, they slowly align themselves in the sexual group that would allow them more freedom as they are now aware of their roles in life. In the study ‘Sex in America’ done in 1994, women who have finished their college education are eight times more likely to say they are lesbians as compared to those from the high-school or elementary level. As a result, homosexuality persists due to the preference of many children to practices which are nontraditional .
Studies have long been done regarding the causes of homosexuality and each one does present their supporting evidences to support their influence. On the one hand; homosexuality can be a result of early child sexual abuse which distorts the child’s self-identity and perception of sex. On the other hand; however, the argument that homosexuality does have a main link with child sexual abuse remains to be verified and proven with facts and there are studies implicating that other factors influences its onset. Regardless of what is the major cause of homosexuality and its relation to child sexual abuse, it is a necessity to act against the growing number of child sexual abuse cases and homosexual discrimination because these groups are left vulnerable to both discrimination and prejudices that affects their development. Considering these aspects, it is important that one remains open minded regarding the topic because people may tend to overlook clear evidences as to why both instances persist.
References
Bronski, M., Pellegrini, A., & Amico, M. (2013). "You Can Tell Just By Looking": And 20 Other Myths about LGBT Life and People. Boston: Beacon Press.
Clowes, B., & Sonnier, D. (2010). Child Molestation by homosexuals and heterosexuals. Homiletic & Pastoral Review, 44-54.
Cramer, C. (2015, July 10). An Open Secret: Child Sexual Abuse As One Possible Cause of Homosexuality. Retrieved from Social Science Research Network: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2629445
Dailey, T., & Sprigg, P. (2004). Getting it Straight: What the Research Shows About Homosexuality. Washington, D.C.: Family Research Council.
Stewart, C. (2003). Gay and Lesbian Issues: A Reference Handbook. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO.
Street, S. (2002). Is There a Link Between Homosexuality and Child Sexual Abuse. The School Counselor, 41(5), 121-142.
Wardle, L. (2007). The Biological Causes and Consequences of Homosexual Behavioral and Their Relevance for Family Law Policies. Symposium - Ties that Bind: Family Relationships, Biology, and the Law, 56(3), 997-1034.
