Being Gay, Are We Born That Way?
Have you ever had someone put a label on you and you just assumed it was true? I think a lot of us have had this experience. Whether it be someone telling you that you are dumb, a slut, gay, untalented, etc. these labels can have a severe impact on someone's life. We often put labels on people because it makes it easier for us to identify someone as something we can easily classify in a box. Our brains just naturally do this.
Depending on how we treat kids and young adults can significantly affect how they think and act. We often think that when boys like to play with dolls or they like to dress nice, this means that they will come out and be gay. However, is this because they are 'born that way' or because of the way we treat them? The research that has been done thus far has not shown that children are born gay or lesbian. There isn't a section in the brain that has a 'gay gene'. Could it be, that when others start to assume and label someone as gay, the person being labeled just thinks they are right? Someone could think "I'm not like the other boys playing with cars, and action figures so everyone else must be right about who I am, so, I must be gay." Should it be like this though?
In the article written by Dr. Dean Byrd titled " Homosexuality: What Science Can and Cannot Say" he says research suggests that boys who have had a lack of connection with same-sex peers is often a precursor for those boys to develop homosexual attractions. Being teased and bullied can make them feel emasculate. This can cause gender confusion at an early age. Research also shows that homosexual boys are sexually abused about 7 times more often than heterosexual boys. It isn't just the peers and family around that can affect kids.
After reading, watching videos, and attending class this week, it has made me realize how I can impact a child's life so early. This has made me discern how I can change my own life and be even more understanding toward those who are gay and those who struggle with their sexuality or same-sex attraction.
Depending on how we treat kids and young adults can significantly affect how they think and act. We often think that when boys like to play with dolls or they like to dress nice, this means that they will come out and be gay. However, is this because they are 'born that way' or because of the way we treat them? The research that has been done thus far has not shown that children are born gay or lesbian. There isn't a section in the brain that has a 'gay gene'. Could it be, that when others start to assume and label someone as gay, the person being labeled just thinks they are right? Someone could think "I'm not like the other boys playing with cars, and action figures so everyone else must be right about who I am, so, I must be gay." Should it be like this though?
In the article written by Dr. Dean Byrd titled " Homosexuality: What Science Can and Cannot Say" he says research suggests that boys who have had a lack of connection with same-sex peers is often a precursor for those boys to develop homosexual attractions. Being teased and bullied can make them feel emasculate. This can cause gender confusion at an early age. Research also shows that homosexual boys are sexually abused about 7 times more often than heterosexual boys. It isn't just the peers and family around that can affect kids.
After reading, watching videos, and attending class this week, it has made me realize how I can impact a child's life so early. This has made me discern how I can change my own life and be even more understanding toward those who are gay and those who struggle with their sexuality or same-sex attraction.
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