HHS 460 Research Methods in Health & Human Services WK5-A

Sexual Orientation

Chanda Crews

HHS 460 Research Methods in Health & Human Services

Instructor: Valerie Quarles

June 11, 2018

1.0 Introduction

Sexual Orientation refers to an individual’s patterns of romantic, emotional and sexual attraction and how these components influence his sense of social and personal identity. Contemporary research suggests that sexual orientation exists along a specific spectrum comprising of appeal to the opposite sex on one end and attraction to the same sex on the other end. The fundamental categories of sexual orientation includes heterosexuality which refers to attraction to the opposite sex; homosexuality which refers to appeal to the same sex and bisexuality which refers to attraction to members of either sex. Recently, the term “queer” was incorporated to refer to non-specificity to any form of sexual orientation, and it is mostly used as an umbrella term. Although the determinants of sexual orientation are not explicitly comprehended, some psychological theories suggest that both nature and nature play an intricate role. Contemporary research frequently attributes the occurrence of sexual orientation to a person’s environment, hormones, brain structure and the role of genes.

Scientists have identified emerging adulthood as the phase where almost each has identified some form of a pattern of sexual attraction. Moreover, emerging adulthood is primarily perceived as the new stage that marks the transition between adolescence and adulthood (Sell, 2017). In industrialized nations, the concept of emerging adulthood is influenced by different demographic, economic and social changes. Perhaps the most central to this alterations is the wide acceptance of premarital sex as a norm while cohabitation coupled with delayed marriages has facilitated the opportunity for romantic and sexual orientation amongst emerging adults. Nonetheless, some individuals might struggle to define their sexual orientation, and as such, they are highly susceptible to prejudicial treatment since their unique sexual preferences deviate from the socially constructed norms. As such sexual minorities that is gays, lesbians and bisexuals may be subjected to victimization and instances of stigma which only serves to aggravate their psychological challenges. Nevertheless, efforts towards the accommodation and acceptance of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community have been spearheaded by laws such as the prohibition of discrimination by federal contractors, asserting of the LGBT-inclusive hate crimes and the nationwide marriage equality.

Thesis

In accordance with the principles of civil rights and liberties of persons, individuals ought to be treated equally and accepted into the society. Moreover, every person has the right to make an autonomous choice on his or her sexual orientation. This follows that the concept of sexual orientation should not be treated as a taboo. Consequently, this paper focuses on highlighting the tenets surrounding the sexual orientation of an individual including the issues arising from sexual orientation, the society’s perception on homosexuality and the support for sexual equality

2.0 Analysis

2.1 Identity Issues arising from Sexual Orientation

The process of embracing the homosexual identity is commonly referred to as “coming out”. This occurrence may be triggered by the development of homosexual fantasies, the feeling that a person may be different from his peers or the realization that an individual is attracted to members of the same gender. During this phase, an adolescent may experience identity confusion since he may be aware of his same-sex attractions but does not know how to vocalize or express them. This sense of uncertainty is mostly propagated by insufficient knowledge, the stigma that is associated with homosexuality, limitations in role models and the inability to socialize with other youth who might be experiencing similar feelings (Jourian, 2015). In such as state, the young adult may live in denial of their sexual orientation while other often seek an alternative explanation for their beliefs. Nonetheless, the LGBT experience the unique challenge of adopting an integrated and healthy identity in the context of prejudice and negative stereotypes that is often devoid of family or societal support. Equally important is the need to distinguish between youth who are gay or lesbian from those who suffer from a possible gender identity disorder. Most heterosexuals and homosexuals assume the identity of either being male or female as is in accordance with their physical anatomy. For individuals whose gender identity is in contravention with their anatomy is referred to as transgendered and often require specialised counselling for a prospective gender identity disorder.

2.2 Types of Sexual Orientation.

The fundamental categories of sexual orientation includes heterosexuality which refers to attraction to the opposite sex and it is the most prevalent and naturally accepted societal norm. Homosexuality refers to attraction to the same sex and the term “gayism” refers to sexual relations between a male and another while the term “lesbianism” comprises of sexual relations between two women. Bisexuality refers to attraction to members of either sex that is, male and female.

2.3 Society’s View on Homosexuality

Discrimination against the LGBT persons takes various forms and may exist at different societal levels. The most recognizable form of discrimination is as a result of either indirect or direct state repression and in informal social settings. Inequality towards individuals who may be categorized as sexual minorities includes institutionalized homophobia, the criminalization of homosexuality, workplace discrimination and violence and the neglect of the existence. Social repression, on the other hand, may manifest itself in the form of hate crimes, verbal abuse, and ridicule, corrective rape of lesbians and forced marriages (Brunner et al., 2016). In African settings, overt homophobia is evident even in political discourse that is propagated by leaders. As a result, such nations are lacking in the constitutional legal protection on the grounds of discrimination based on one’s sexual orientation. Indeed, direct state oppression may be epitomised by the legislation that criminalises the consent of homosexual acts amongst adults. For nations that are pro-Sharia law such as Afghanistan, Iran and Saudi Arabia, engagement in homosexual acts may warrant death sentences. Additionally, other countries may sanction punishments such as public flogging, forced labour, lifetime imprisonment and other forms corporal punishment.

2.4 Supporting Sexual Equality

According to the interpretation of the international convention on human rights, all individuals regardless of their age ought to live without discrimination owing to the nature of their sexual orientation. The concept of sexual orientation is applicable at a critical stage of an individual’s life hence the need to develop the right information and support for the children and the youth to facilitate ease of acceptance of one’s sexual orientation. Indeed the young people are in dire need of accurate information and guidance as they grow up so that they become grounded in their sexual orientation. Nations such as the U.S and U.K have been at the forefront of campaigning against the discrimination of sexual minorities. Efforts towards the accommodation and acceptance of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community have been spearheaded by laws such as the prohibition of discrimination by federal contractors, asserting of the LGBT-inclusive hate crimes and the nationwide marriage equality (Hebl et al., 2016). Moreover, such nations recognise that economies are bound to stagnate when minorities are excluded since the potential of many individuals and their productivity at the workplace is held back. Homophobia also causes negative impact on access to property, healthcare and education which ultimately culminates in the advent of psychological distress.

3.0 Conclusion

In sum, every individual ought to be treated equally and accepted into the society regardless of their sexual orientation as is stipulated in the principles of civil rights and liberties of persons. Further, a person has the right to make an autonomous choice on his or her sexual orientation. This follows that the concept of sexual orientation should not be treated as a taboo. Even though the issue of sexual orientation is poorly understood, it would be imprudent to criminalise individuals based on their choices on sexual preferences as it would be interfering with their civil rights. Consequently, nationwide legal structures need to be developed to protect the individuals who may otherwise be categorised as being sexual minorities since they are highly susceptible to different forms of discrimination based on their sexual orientation.

References

Brunner, F., Fliegner, M., Krupp, K., Rall, K., Brucker, S., & Richter-Appelt, H. (2016). Gender Role, Gender Identity, and Sexual Orientation in CAIS ("XY-Women") Compared with Subfertile and Infertile 46, XX Women. Journal of Sex Research, 53(1), 109-124. doi:10.1080/00224499.2014.1002124

Hebl, M., Barron, L., Cox, C. B., & Corrington, A. R. (2016). The efficacy of sexual orientation anti-discrimination legislation. Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, 35(7/8), 449-466. doi:10.1108/EDI-07-2016-0060

Jourian, T. (2015). Evolving Nature of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. New Directions for Student Services, 2015(152), 11-23.

Sell, R. L. (2017, August). Challenges and Solutions to Collecting Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Data. American Journal of Public Health. pp. 1212-1214. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2017.303917.