Is Sexuality Biologically Or Socially Determined - 891 Words

Is a person’s sexuality biologically or socially determined? This exact question has created controversy for years upon years for researchers and society as a whole. Especially recently, concepts on sexuality have been a hot topic due to the introduction of gay marriage laws. Now, there is a social urgency to get answers about the causes of sexual orientation. Because of this, scientists are working harder than ever in their studies. Despite many myths and misconceptions, there currently are no clear-cut answers to this debatable question, although there is a theory. Current theories suggest sexuality is influenced by a variety of both biological and social factors. Therefore, rather than focusing on one factor or the other being the exact cause of a person’s sexuality, both factors need to be taken into consideration. Humans are born sexual beings; it is embedded in our nature. This does not mean biological factors are the only determinate of sexuality: being heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual. Actually, Barlow states, â€Å"genetic effects explain from 34% to 39% of the cause in men, and in women 18% to 19%, with the remainder accounted for by environmental influences† (2013, p. 334). That remaining percentage is rather huge, suggesting that social factors are more to blame for a person’s sexual orientation than biological factors. These statistics prove that sexuality has the opportunity to change over time, towards different people, and through different socialShow MoreRelatedGeek Masculinity And Its Effects On Society836 Words   |  4 Pagesmentioned before, race and gender are socially constructed by dominant groups in the society. The Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) community is among the subculture groups that are stigmatized by the U.S. society. They are deviant of the heterosexual norm. Society labels sexualities, which expressions of sexuality it values or stigmatizes. The meanings of sexuality change over time in different contexts, which reveals the sexuality as defined by the society. Sexuality is defined as â€Å"the ways we experienceRead MoreEssay on Our Understanding of Sexuality and Family Formation1213 Words   |  5 PagesOur Understanding of Sexuality and Family Formation The investigations in the determinants of gender and sexuality are ongoing; some are biologically orientated while others believe that they are socially constructed. This essay will discuss the idea that our understanding of sexuality and gender is linked to our understanding of family formations. It will highlight the diversities and the relationships of sexuality, gender and the family. It will also draw attentionRead MoreSex And Disability : An Open Minded Perspective From Individuals1313 Words   |  6 Pagesodd to introduce them to such sexualized acts. Yet, this often causes detrimental physiological effects as those with disabilities fail to understand and come to terms with their own sexuality. Virtually, there is no implicative framework in which these individuals can confide in. They are made to fear their own sexuality. When it comes to defining the term: gender, there is often an obscure and seemingly specific way the majority of our society conforms it to be. You are either female or male. Of courseRead MoreThe Current Day And Age Essay1266 Words   |  6 Pagesgender roles, and biology. It differs from sex, one’s biological femaleness or maleness, in that it is socially constructed by psychological and sociocultural attributes (Crooks Baur, 2013, pp. 111-124). In summation, sex is strictly biologically determined, whereas, gender is effected by society. Differences Males and females both possess very obvious differences biologically, socially, and psychologically. One of the ways that males and females differ, is through sex. There are two typesRead MoreGender Biologically Determined2144 Words   |  9 Pagesâ€Å"Is Gender Biologically Determined?†- Drawing upon ethnographic examples from 2-3 societies. Gender being ‘biologically determined’ means that whether gender is inherited or passed down by genetics. If a person is a man or woman, (which is usually called ‘The Sex’), that is biologically determined because they inherit the chromosomes to be born a man, or to be born as a woman. In the early 1970’s sex was described by â€Å"biology as: anatomy, hormones, and physiology† (West and Zimmerman 1987). ApartRead MoreGender Biologically Determined2151 Words   |  9 Pagesâ€Å"Is Gender Biologically Determined?†- Drawing upon ethnographic examples from 2-3 societies. Gender being ‘biologically determined’ means that whether gender is inherited or passed down by genetics. If a person is a man or woman, (which is usually called ‘The Sex’), that is biologically determined because they inherit the chromosomes to be born a man, or to be born as a woman. In the early 1970’s sex was described by â€Å"biology as: anatomy, hormones, and physiology† (West and Zimmerman 1987). ApartRead MoreSexual Nature And Sexual Differences1560 Words   |  7 Pagesideas about the sexual nature and sexual differences occurred in the eighteenth and nineteenth-centuries. During this period the new scientific knowledge is increasingly accepted concerning biological sex, gender, and sexuality, under which the belief that men and women are biologically different emerges. As the acceptance of this discovery grew it creates a new cultural system of proper behavior for men and women, and new constructions of gender. Through the change in the gender/sex system, Rousseau’sRead MoreGender And Gender : A Sociological Perspective On A Clearer Perception Of The Philosophy And Professional Objectives2099 Words   |  9 Pagesa controversial issue for debate, one of the methods of the gender classification by society is through the concept of gender being biologically determined. This essay explores gender in a clearer perception of the philosophy and professional objectives to develop a foundation for deeper analytical studies. The assumptions made that gender is biologically determined is rebutted when applied to the case of intersexuality and transgender. As gender is a prà ©cised ecclesiastical constructionist paradigmRead MoreWhat Has Westernisation Influenced Perceptions Of Motherhood Within Latin American Society?974 Words   |  4 PagesMaternal love and Womanhood: to what extent is Motherhood the product of socially constructed norms and what are the means of the construction of the maternal figure? Motherhood as a social construct in general: Since the beginning of time, motherhood has been seen as synonymous with womanhood and the female experience. The female body has set out women’s role as one of child-rearing and constricted them to a biologically defined role. It is only recently that researchers have explored the notionRead MoreGender Is Not So Much Determined By God Nor By Biology Essay1618 Words   |  7 Pagesthat’s expected of from one’s allocated gender is not biologically processed. Instead it is a result of social modification. In this essay, one particular theme will be used in order to demonstrate that gender is not so much determined by God nor by biology. Firstly the terms ‘sex’ and ‘gender’ will be defined before the relationship between them is explored in relation to the theme chosen. Secondly evidence that shows that gender is socially constructed will be discussed. The theme that shall be