Historical and Scientific Perspectives on Homosexuality Essay

Historical and Scientific Perspectives on Homosexuality Is homosexuality a choice or genetic? Homosexuality is becoming more and more common all over the world. There are many different perspectives and theories regarding homosexuality. There are historical, culture, species, scientific, and psychological perspectives on being a homosexual person but which is true and which is simply a theory. Homosexual Perspectives Historically being a gay man or a lesbian was a sin. According to the reading sodomy is a sin and was most likely the reason why Sodom was destroyed all those years ago. Historically any release of sperm not meant for procreation is a sin. However, in ancient Greece it was common for established men to form sexual relationships with young men about the age of growing a beard. There are pictures on vases that depict a man inserting his penis between a boy’s legs but not in the anus. I think that given the historical views of homosexual behaviors it makes some people think that it is still wrong and should still be hidden from people. It also depends on how a person was raised in my opinion. If a person was raised to believe that it is a sin to enter into homosexual relationships then they will try to hide it from everyone for as long as possible. However, if a person was raised to believe that there is nothing wrong with being homosexual then they will be more likely to be open about it. (Rathus, 2011) A study was done in 76 preliterate countries as to if male-male relationships were considered to be acceptable. In 49 of these countries it was considered to be normal and acceptable for male-male relationships. However, the other 27 countries had sanctions if you were caught in male-male relationships. Another study was done years later that was of 70 of the world’s non-European societies and the prevalence of male-male relationships. 41% of the 70 found that male-male sexual relationships were present but uncommon. The other 59% claimed that it was rare or absent in their societies. In some countries  li ke New Guinea it is considered a rite of passage for boys between the ages of 7 and 10 to leave their homes and move into a â€Å"clubhouse† with adolescent boys and adult males. While living there they would fellate the older boys and drink their semen. They are encouraged to drink as much semen as possible to give them a rise in puberty. However, in their late teens early 20s they are expected to take a bride and enter in exclusively into male-female relationships. I think that homosexuals would be more open about their homosexuality depending on if it is accepted in the society that they live in. There are many reasons as to why people hide that they are homosexual from those around them but I think that the most common reason is that they feel that they will not be accepted by others if they tell. (Rathus, 2011) In the animal kingdom it is not uncommon for there to be male-male or female-female sexual relationships. However, in male-male relationships in the animal kingdom it is usually an act of dominance not pleasure. This is very similar to the behaviors of male and female inmates or those with limited access to the opposite gender. In prison there is a dominant and submissive person involved in these male-male and female-female sexual relationships. (Rathus, 2011) Coming Out and Adjusting When a gay male or a lesbian announces that they are a gay male or lesbian it is commonly referred to as coming out. I think that depending on the person and the society that they live in it is easy to come out. If you live in a society that accepts it even if they do not approve of it then it is easier to come out to people. It also depends on the support that a person has around them. If a person has a good support system than they will have an easier time coming out. However, if they feel that they will be scorned, mocked, harassed, or any other form of teasing then they will be less likely to come out. (Rathus, 2011) I think that the adjustment is the same for homosexuals as it is for heterosexuals. It is more of a lifestyle choice and therefore depending on how you live your life you will be happy. However, before a person comes out they may be very stressed, tense, overwhelmed, or any number of other feeling and emotions because they are hiding who they are from the world. Pers onal Beliefs I do not think that the historical or scientific reasons from the reading  have really shaped my sexual orientation. I think that religion might have a part in some people’s lives but me personally I think that a person should be judged for who they are not for their sexuality. Scientifically, I think that there is possibly a gene in the human body that causes you to be gay or lesbian but I do not think that I have that gene if it does exist. I think that I like who I like regardless of what other people think. Homosexuality is different for every person. There are people who are proud to be homosexual and there are people who are ashamed of being a homosexual. I think that this all depends on how a person is raised and what their beliefs are on the subject. No two people are exactly the same and this is true of homosexuals as well. What works for one person might not work for another person. Homosexuality is only on aspect of a person’s life and thus a person should not be judged and treated differently for this one aspect of their life. References Rathus, S. A., Nevid, J.S., and Fichner-Rathus, L. (2011). Human sexuality in a world of diversity (8th ed.) Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.