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Answers to Your Questions About Sexual Orientation and Homosexuality
From Psychology and You
American Psychological Association
What is sexual orientation?
Sexual orientation is one of the four components of sexuality and is distinguished
by an enduring emotional, romantic, sexual or affectional attraction to
individuals of a particular gender. The three other components of sexuality
are biological sex, gender identity (the psychological sense of being
male or female) and social sex role (adherence to cultural norms for feminine
and masculine behavior). Three sexual orientations are commonly recognized:
homosexual, attraction to individuals or one's own gender; heterosexual,
attraction to individuals of the other gender; or bisexual, attractions
to members of either gender.
Sexual orientation is different from sexual behavior because it refers
to feelings and self-concept. Persons may or may not express their sexual
orientation in their behaviors.
What causes a person to have a particular sexual orientation?
How a particular sexual orientation develops in any individual is not
well understood by scientists. Various theories have proposed differing
sources for sexual orientation, including genetic or inborn hormonal factors
and life experiences during early childhood. However, many scientists
share the view that sexual orientation is shaped for most people at an
early age through complex interactions of biological, psychological and
social factors.
Is sexual orientation a choice?
No. Sexual orientation emerges for most people in early adolescence without
any prior sexual experience. And some people report trying very hard over
many years to change their sexual orientation from homosexual to heterosexual
with no success. For these reasons, psychologists do not consider sexual
orientation for most people to be a conscious choice that can be voluntarily
changed.
Is Homosexuality a mental illness or emotional problem?
No. Psychologists, psychiatrists and other mental health professionals
agree that homosexuality is not an illness, mental disorder or emotional
problem. Much objective scientific research over the past 35 years show
us that homosexual orientation, in and of itself, is not associated with
emotional or social problems. Homosexuality was thought to be a mental
illness in the past because mental health professionals and society had
biased information about homosexuality since most studies only involved
lesbians and gay men in therapy. When researchers examined data about
gay people who were not in therapy, the idea that homosexuality was a
mental illness was found to be untrue.
Can lesbians and gay men be good parents?
Yes. Studies comparing groups of children raised by homosexual and by
heterosexual parents find no developmental differences between the two
groups of children in their intelligence, psychological adjustment, social
adjustment, popularity with friends, development of social sex role identity
or development of sexual orientation. Another stereotype about homosexuality
is the mistaken belief that gay men have more of a tendency than heterosexual
men to sexually molest children. There is no evidence indicating that
homosexuals are more likely than heterosexuals to molest children.
Why do some gay men and lesbians tell people about their
sexual orientation?
Because sharing that aspect of themselves with others is important to
their mental health. In fact, the process of identity development for
lesbians and gay men, usually called "coming out," has been found to be
strongly related to psychological adjustment - the more positive the gay
male or lesbian identity, the better one's mental health and the higher
one's self-esteem.
Why is the "coming out" process difficult for
some gays and lesbians?
Because of false stereotypes and unwarranted prejudice towards them, the
process of "coming out" for lesbians and gay men can be a very challenging
process, which may cause emotional pain. Lesbian and gay people often feel
"different" and "alone" when they first become aware of same-sex attractions.
They may also fear being rejected by family, friends, co-workers and religious
institutions if they do "come out."
In addition, homosexuals are frequently the targets of discrimination and
violence. This threat of violence and discrimination is an obstacle to lesbian
and gay people's development. In a 1989 national survey, 5% of the gay men
and 10% of the lesbians reported physical abuse or assault related to being
lesbian or gay in the last year; 47% reported some form of discrimination
over their lifetime. Other research has shown similarly high rates of discrimination
or violence.
What can be done to help lesbians and gay men overcome prejudice
and discrimination against them?
The people who have the most positive attitudes toward gay men and lesbians
are those who say they know one or more gay people well. For this reason,
psychologists believe negative attitudes toward gay as a group are prejudices
that are not grounded in actual experience with lesbians or gay men but
on stereotypes and prejudice.
Furthermore, protection against violence
and discrimination are very important, just as they are for other minority
groups. Some states include violence against an individual on the basis
of her or his sexual orientation as hate crime and eight U.S.
states have laws against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
Can therapy change sexual
orientation?
No. Even though homosexual orientation is not a mental illness and there
is no scientific reason to attempt conversion of lesbians or gays to heterosexual
orientation, some individuals may seek to change their own sexual orientation
or that of another individual (for example, parents seeking therapy for
their child). Some therapists who undertake this kind of therapy report
that they have changed their clients' sexual orientation (from homosexual
to heterosexual)in treatment. Close scrutiny of their reports indicates
several factors that cast doubt: many of the claims come from organizations
with an ideological perspective on sexual orientation, rather than from
mental health researchers; the treatments and their outcomes are poorly
documented; and the length of time that clients are followed up after
the treatment is too short.
In 1990, the American Psychological Association stated that scientific
evidence does not show that conversion therapy works and that it can do
more harm than good. Changing one's sexual orientation is not simply a
matter of changing one's sexual behavior. It would require altering one's
emotional, romantic and sexual feelings and restructuring one's self-concept
and social identity. Although some mental health providers do attempt
sexual orientation conversion, others question the ethics of trying to
alter through therapy a trait that is not a disorder and that is extremely
important to an individual's identity.
Not all gays and lesbians who seek therapy want to change their sexual
orientation. Gays and lesbians may seek counseling for any of the same
reasons as anyone else. In addition, they may seek psychological help
to "come out" or to deal with prejudice, discrimination and violence.
Why is important for society to be better educated about
homosexuality?
Educating all people about sexual orientation and homosexuality is likely
to diminish anti-gay prejudice. Accurate information about homosexuality
is especially important to young people struggling with their own sexual
identity. Fears that access to such information will affect one's sexual
orientation are not valid.
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info@iraniangaydoctors.com
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