Role of culture and socialization in sexual orientation

Role of culture and socialization in sexual orientation essay assignment

The role of culture and socialization have been identified as factors that contribute to sexual orientation. Many cultures and religions frown upon relationships that are not heterosexual. Unlike the research on biological factors influencing sexual orientation, the research on environmental factors is less conclusive (Broderick & Blewitt, 2015). Children raised by homosexual partners show no increased likelihood of same-sex orientation (Broderick & Blewitt, 2015). Differences in values and beliefs may be a social factor that influences sexual orientation. Research has shown that highly valued partner traits in heterosexual men are prioritized by intelligence, good looks, humor, honesty, face attractiveness, and kindness (Lippa, 2007). Partner traits valued by homosexual men were ranked in slightly different order: intelligence, humor, good looks, honesty, face attractiveness, and kindness (Lippa, 2007). The same study suggests that family roles, marital roles, gender roles, and social roles of heterosexual and homosexual individuals can affect sexual orientation (Lippa, 2007).

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Role of age in sexual orientation

Sexuality and sexual attraction are evident in children by around age 10 (Broderick & Blewitt, 2015). Regardless of sexual orientation, most people agree that heterosexual or homosexual orientation is “natural” as opposed to chosen (Broderick & Blewitt, 2015). Some studies suggest that for one in five adolescents, sexual orientation is fluid and subject to change (Broderick & Blewitt, 2015).

Summary

Whereby factors including biology, culture, and social influence contribute to sexual orientation, most people agree that homosexuality and heterosexuality are natural attractions and not categories of choice. There is research supporting the importance of genetics and environment as on sexual orientation (Broderick & Blewitt, 2015). Homosexuals that accept their sexual orientation as “inborn” are likely to have a greater sense of well-being than those who reject their sexuality (Morandini, Blaszczynski, Costa, Godwin, & Dar-Nimrod, 2017).

References

Broderick, P. C., & Blewitt, P. (2015). The life span: Human development for helping professionals (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education

Lippa, R.A. (2007). The preferred traits of mates in a cross-national study of heterosexual and homosexual men and women: an examination of biological and cultural influences. Archive of Sexual Behavior, 36(2), 193-208

Morandini, J., Blaszczynski, A., Costa, D., Godwin, A., & Dar-Nimrod, I., (2017). Born this way: sexual orientation beliefs and their correlates in lesbian and bisexual women.Journal of Counseling Psychology, 64(5). 560-573

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Role of culture and socialization in sexual orientation