James, age five, can be found playing with baby dolls and My Little Pony more frequently than G.I. Joes or Hot Wheels cars. His parents know that most little boys would not gravitate toward such toys, but figure it is a stage he will soon grow out of. As the years pass, James’ interest develop more girlish traits as he aspires to take dance lessons and have play dates with only the girls in his class. James’ parents’ friends begin to ask why they have not encouraged their son to try football or soccer. They tell them boys need to have this kind of rough play to become tough and grow up into strong men. Can a child’s parents really determine his masculinity by pushing him to participate in certain activities that society deems “manly?”
From a very young age, children are conditioned to believe that certain games or toys are only for boys or only for girls. An elementary age boy would most certainly be picked on by his peers if he was found playing “house” with the girls at recess instead of kickball with the boys. Gender identity is clearly recognized by young children as soon as or even before school age. Children first learn to determine themselves as a boy or a girl, soon after recognizing their peers as boys or girls. So what happens when that child decides he or she does not have certain things in common with the same gender?
The unspoken fear of many parents who have a child like James is, “Is he gay?” Will his interests as a child reflect in his adult lifestyle? Can they change their child’s future before it occurs?
Studies have shown that yes, the effect of James’ environment could possibly determine his sexual orientation as an adult. His sexuality could be a product of his family interactions as well as social surroundings. Is it possible that if James’ parents had taken away his dolls and replaced them with action figures that his future sexual orientation could be changed?
A study done by Dr. Cameron at the Family Research Institute of Colorado Springs, Colorado lays out three reasons why homosexual behavior occurs. One reason may be self indulgence and rebellion against society. The second position states that “homosexual behavior is a mental illness, symptomatic of arrested development.” This, many psychoanalysts believe is a product of poor familial relationships as children or some other form of trauma.
The last viewpoint is that homosexuality is biological. This view says that there is no choice made, that homosexuality occurs as a result of genetics or hormones and no trauma or perverse desire is necessary to cause this type of sexual orientation. Dr. Cameron outlines the notion that the viewpoint most concurrent with his research is that homosexuality is learned. In other words, it is a product of society.
Trayce Hansen, Ph.D., has the same opinions and results of research as Dr. Cameron. He published an article called, “What Causes Homosexual Desire and Can it be Changed?” that examines societies that advocate homosexual behaviors. This article “finds that societies which endorse homosexual behavior increase the prevalence of homosexuality in those societies.” The studies done on twins in Sweden and Finland help create the most conclusive result because of their genetic similarities. Based on the idea that homosexuality is genetic, both twins should be gay. If one twin is homosexual, the co-twin should be homosexual nearly 100 percent of the time as well. That was not the case in the studies in Sweden and Finland. It was found that when one twin was homosexual the other was homosexual as well about 10 or 11 percent of the time. Studies like these show that homosexuality may not be genetic.
On the other side of the spectrum, studies have been done to prove that homosexual tendencies start in the brain. Since sexual attraction starts in the brain, many researchers believe this is where homosexual attraction begins as well. Hundreds of studies have been done on the hypothalamus of straight and gay males vs. females. Other studies have been done on the anterior of the brain and the Nuclei of the Anterior Hypothalamus.
In a study done in 1993, scientists studied families largely consisting of homosexual members. The study proved that most gay members of the family transpired on the maternal side. They then concluded that is a “homosexual gene” passed on from mother to son.
Researchers also presume that homosexuality may not just be genetic but possibly hormonal. Since gender differentiation occurs in utero, based on hormonal influences, it can be surmised that homosexuality occurs as a result of hormonal differentiation in the womb of those who later display homosexual behaviors.
So, can we as a society determine the fate of the sexual orientation of our young generations? Or do they hold this trait before they enter our world?
Both sides have valid points, yes, but is it really right to snatch away a child’s inquisitiveness? Whether they chose to be this way, or are born with it, it is their right to explore and discover who they are or the person they may one day be.
Laurie Essig from The Chornicle writes a similar opinion on the topic which may help display my thoughts:
http://chronicle.com/blogs/brainstorm/danger-code-pink/34268
Maybe James’ parents should hold off on taking away his baby dolls and foster his aspirations in dance. Should James’ parents encourage their child’s curiosity no matter the man he’ll grow up to become? Or should they snatch away their sons favorite toys as to hinder his true identity?
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