<span style='color:red'><span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>The Origins of Sexual Orientation </span></span> <br><span style='font-size:14pt;line-height:100%'>What causes homosexuality? Is it a choice?</span><br>Sexual orientation, whether it be heterosexual, homosexual or bisexual does not appear to be something that one chooses. Recent studies suggest that sexual orientation has a genetic or biological component, and is probably determined before or shortly after birth. Like heterosexuals, gays and lesbians discover their sexuality as a process of maturing, they are not recruited, seduced or taught to be homosexual 。The only choice most gay or lesbian people have is whether or not to live their lives honestly, or according to societies unrealistic expectations. <br><br>人的性取向,不管是异性,或者同性,或者双性都仿佛不是人自己选择的。最近的研究表明性向跟基因生物学有关,在出生前后较短的时间内就被确定了。就像异性恋,男女同性恋者是随着成熟的过程认识到自己的性取向,并非被诱导或者被教唆而成的。他们最多的是可以选择诚实的面对生活,还是屈从于社会的教条。<br><br>Is homosexuality a psychological problem or mental illness?<br>The American Psychological Association, the American Psychiatric Association do not consider homosexuality to be an emotional or mental disorder. Published research is overwhelming - there is no significant difference between the mental health of heterosexuals and the mental health of homosexuals. However, the social stigma associated with being gay can be emotionally trying. <br><br>同性并非精神失常。调查表示异性和同性恋者的心理健康状况之间并没有重大分别。<br><br>Is homosexuality brought about by poor parenting, or lack of religious beliefs?<br>Gay people grow up in all types of homes, with all types of families. They are raised in rural areas, large cities and everywhere in between. Gay men and lesbians represent every socioeconomic, ethnic, and religious background possible. <br><br>"There is evidence, that parents have very little influence on the outcome of their children's sexual orientation under normal upbringing conditions." (Reinisch, 1988). However, a parents' attitude can influence the way a child chooses to relate to his or her sexuality, whether it be heterosexual or homosexual. <br><br> <br>Is homosexuality caused by abuse, or a bad experience with someone of the opposite sex?<br>Many people suffer from all types of abuse and neglect as children, yet grow up to be heterosexual. Many people, both heterosexual and homosexual, have had bad experiences with a person of the opposite sex. There is no correlation between any of these occurrences and homosexuality. <br><br>总之就是跟家庭环境,个人经历都没太大关系。<br><br>Can homosexuality be cured?<br>Since homosexuality is not a disease or disorder, there is nothing to cure. A few therapists claim that they can rid gay people of their homosexual desires, but their methods remain extremely questionable and rarely, if ever, have resulted in permanently changing anybody's sexual orientation (Haldeman, 1994). <br><br>According to the American Psychological Association, no scientific evidence exists to support the effectiveness of any therapies that attempt to convert homosexuals to heterosexuals. The American Psychological Association Executive Director Dr. Raymond Fowler also states that "Groups who try to change the sexual orientation of people through so-called conversion therapy are misguided and run the risk of causing a great deal of psychological harm to those they say they are trying to help." <br><br>The American Academy of Pediatrics states: "Therapy directed at specifically changing sexual orientation is contraindicated, since it can provoke guilt and anxiety while having little or no potential for achieving changes in orientation." <br><br>The American Medical Association "does not recommend aversion therapy for gay men and lesbians. Through psychotherapy, gay men and lesbians can become comfortable with their sexual orientation and understand the societal response to it." <br><br>The American Psychiatric Association states: "There is no published scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of reparative therapy as a treatment to change ones sexual orientation." The American Psychiatric Association also states: "gay men and lesbians who have accepted their sexual orientation positively are better adjusted than those who have not done so." <br>既然不是病,又谈何治愈?如果已经确定是同性恋,试图改变性向只会伤害自己。<br><br><br><br> |