Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage Will Increase Prevalence of Homosexuality (

http://www.narth.com ^ | 14 October 2008 | By Trayce Hansen, Ph.D.

[Maelstorm]

By Trayce Hansen, Ph.D.

An accumulation of research from around the world finds that societies which endorse homosexual behavior increase the prevalence of homosexuality in those societies. The legalization of same-sex marriage--which is being considered by voters in several U.S. states--is the ultimate in societal endorsement and will result in more individuals living a homosexual lifestyle.

Extensive research from Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and the United States reveals that homosexuality is primarily environmentally induced. Specifically, social and/or family factors, as well as permissive environments which affirm homosexuality, play major environmental roles in the development of homosexual behavior.

A closer look at the research: Twin study investigations of homosexuality were recently conducted in both Sweden and Finland. Such twin studies compare rates of homosexual behavior between different sibling groups who share varying degrees of genetic similarity (i.e., identical twins versus non-identical twins). By comparing such rates, twin studies help sort out the extent to which homosexual behavior is genetic and/or environmental. For instance, if homosexuality is genetic, then in cases where one identical twin is homosexual the co-twin should be homosexual nearly 100% of the time because identical twins share 100% of their genes.

But that is not what these two large-scale Scandinavian studies found. Both studies revealed that when one identical twin was homosexual the other twin was homosexual only 10% or 11% of the time. Such findings indicate that homosexuality is not genetically determined.

Instead of genetic factors, these Scandinavian studies concluded that unique environmental factors play the largest role in the development of homosexual behavior. The question as to which specific environmental factors contribute to homosexuality was not answered by these studies although some conclusions are offered by Danish and American research data to be discussed later in this article.

But first, it should be noted that although the Swedish and Finnish twin studies are among the best to date, they still have wide margins of error. In fact, the margins of error are so wide it remains entirely possible that genetic factors play no role in the development of homosexuality. That remains to be determined, but what has been resolved is that the primary factor in the development of homosexuality is environmental.

A Danish research investigation studied two million adults living in Denmark, a country where same-sex marriage has been legal since 1989. This study uncovered a number of specific environmental factors that increase the probability an individual will seek a same-sex rather than an opposite-sex partner for marriage.

For Danish men, the environmental factors associated with higher rates of homosexual marriage include an urban birthplace and an absent or unknown father. Significantly, there was a linear relationship between degree of urbanization of birthplace and whether a man chose homosexual or heterosexual marriage as an adult. In other words, the more urban a man's birthplace, the more likely he was to marry a man, while the more rural a man's birthplace, the more likely he was to marry a woman.

For Danish women, the environmental factors related to increased likelihood of homosexual marriage include an urban birthplace, maternal death during adolescence, and mother-absence.

Interestingly, this Danish research finds that urban birthplace and separation from the same-sex parent both were associated with same-sex marriage for men as well as women. (The latter finding supports psychological theories that have long asserted homosexuality is related to childhood problems--real or perceived--with the same-sex parent). In summary, this study finds that environmental factors that contribute to the development of homosexuality can be social and/or familial.

Finally, an American research study--the most comprehensive and representative survey of sexual behavior in America--reported its findings concerning homosexuality. The results of this study also support an environmental theory of homosexuality, not a genetic one. In particular, this survey identified specific types of environments that increase the likelihood of homosexual behavior. The authors describe these environments as "congenial" to the development of homosexuality.

For American men, the environmental factor most related to homosexual behavior was the degree of urbanization during the teenage years. Specifically, boys who lived in large urban centers between the ages of 14 and 16 were three to six times more likely to engage in homosexual behavior than were boys who lived in rural communities during those same ages. The authors offer the following possibility: "an environment that provides increased opportunities for and fewer negative sanctions against same-gender sexuality may both allow and even elicit expression of same-gender interest and sexual behavior (p.308)." Note the word "elicit." These researchers believe that growing up in a more pro-homosexual region may evoke or draw out homosexual behavior in young men. The implication is that some homosexual men who were reared in urban centers would not have become homosexual if reared in non-urban centers. The authors explain, "the environment in which people grow up affects their sexuality in very basic ways (p.309)."

For American women, the environmental factor most associated with a homosexual or bisexual identity was a higher level of education. And though that was also true for men, the pattern for women was more dramatic. For instance, a woman with a college degree was nine times more likely to identify herself as non-heterosexual than a woman with only a high school diploma. The specific elements that create this marked difference are unclear, but the researchers don't believe it's simply due to higher reporting of non-heterosexuality by more educated individuals. They believe one explanation is the fact that with more acceptance, even encouragement, of homosexuality at universities, more university women embrace a non-heterosexual lifestyle. For an example of how that might develop, see Dennis Prager's article entitled, "College Taught Her Not To Be a Heterosexual."

Based on the findings of this American research study, environments that sanction and/or promote homosexuality induce more individuals to engage in homosexual behavior.

Conclusion: All of the aforementioned research studies from four different countries, each utilizing large, countrywide samples, reveal that homosexual behavior is not genetically determined. Rather, the data find that human sexuality is malleable, and environmental experiences and influences can and do shape its expression. Moreover, these findings are supported by decades of anthropological and sociological evidence that reveal that rates of homosexual behavior fluctuate--sometimes greatly--with changes in the social, cultural, and legal climate. The more an environment affirms or encourages same-sex sexuality--whether an urban center or a university campus--the more homosexuality there will be in that setting.

Social and cultural norms, as well as legal regulations, influence human behavior including sexual behavior. So not surprisingly, as the United States and other Western Countries have become increasingly pro-homosexual--socially, politically, and legally--they have experienced an upward trend in the number of individuals engaging in homosexual behavior. That trend will continue if we move beyond mere tolerance of homosexual behavior (which is appropriate) to formally honoring it by legalizing same-sex marriage.

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References: Butler, A.C. (2005). Gender differences in same-sex sexual partnering, 1988-2002. Social Forces, 84, 421-449.

Frisch, M. & Hviid, A. (2006). Childhood family correlates of heterosexual and homosexual marriages: A national cohort study of two million Danes. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 35, 533-547.

Langstrom, N., Rahman, Q., Carlstrom, E., & Lichtenstein, P. (2008). Genetic and environmental effects on same-sex sexual behavior: A population study of twins in Sweden. Archives of Sexual Behavior, DOI 10.1007/s10508-008-9386-1.

Lauman, E.O., Gagnon, J.H., Michael, S. (1994). The social organization of sexuality: Sexual practices in the United States. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Prager, D. (2005). "College Taught Her Not To Be a Heterosexual." Available on the web at: http://dennisprager.townhall.com.

Santtila, P., Sandnabba, N.K., Harlaar, N., Varjonen, M., Alanko, K., von der Pahlen, B. (2008). Potential for homosexual response is prevalent and genetic. Biological Psychology, 77, 102-105.

[Maelstorm]

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  Trayce Hansen, PhD

  Dr. Trayce L. Hansen is a licensed psychologist with a clinical and forensic practice. She received her Ph.D. from the California School of Professional Psychology, San Diego, in 1997. Dr. Hansen’s professional experience is varied and includes work in multiple clinical as well as forensic settings. She is particularly interested in issues related to marriage, parenting, male/female differences, and homosexuality. Dr. Hansen has extensively reviewed the research literature in these areas and occasionally writes commentaries based on her findings that have been published worldwide. She has been heard on local and national radio and interviewed by the web and print media. Dr. Hansen also consults on legal cases and has testified in both deposition and court hearings related to her professional expertise.

[SoConPubbie]

Well DUH!

[RobbyS]

Sure. Many “straights”already do. Most gays are living a libertine life style, and likewise the “straights” for whom marriage in the historical sense is a “tender trap.”

[MAD-AS-HELL]

oh come on....while I am 100% against homosexual marriage, there is no basis in this bogus research. It’s junk science.

[I_Like_Spam]

I’m not suprised by the results of the study.

Man still has free will to determine his own behavior, in spite of what some would say.

[SoConPubbie]

oh come on....while I am 100% against homosexual marriage, there is no basis in this bogus research. It’s junk science.

Oh please yourself!

This is just common-sense, you give something legitimacy and the blessing of the State, all you are telling everyone is that it is OK to live a deviant lifestyle.

Men/Women do not struggle to be bad or selfish. It is a struggle to do the right thing.

Take away the stigma and prohibition for a lifestyle that can be summed up as selfishness, and you will have more people succombing to this lifestyle.

[fleagle]

Not sure I'm buying it...although I did know a few male theater majors in school who became gayer and gayer as they became more involved in theater, but then when they graduated from college got married and had kids. Not sure what that was all about.

I also know some females who've suddenly "turned" gay after having had many unsuccessful relationships with men.

So there may be some environmental and societal factors going on, but most gays I know are, well, gay and that's pretty much that.

[Paved Paradise]

You are completely wrong. One of the most obvious evidentiary supports for this is what occurs within prison system. People who otherwise never practiced homosexuality or lesbianism suddenly do and when they get out, they leave that behind. Strictly environmental.

[Iron Munro]

"I warned you!"

[Maelstorm]

I know. I bet you didn’t hear about this in the media though. I bet you didn’t hear it on Glen Beck or Rush Limbaugh. We are fighting this battle alone. What is interesting about this study is that urban men without fathers are the most likely to be adversely effected.

[Maelstorm]

It is not bogus research or is it bogus just because a homosexual liberal global warming believer told you so?

[MAD-AS-HELL]

but do they end up practicing homosexuality when they get out of prison? And prison is a MUCH different scenario than what happens in the real world. Many guys have to have sex to avoid physical harm (other than to their rectum). You are comparing APPLES AND ORANGES.

[SoConPubbie]

What is interesting about this study is that urban men without fathers are the most likely to be adversely effected.

Which is just common sense as well.

[BallyBill]

I ain't buying it. I can see why legalizing drugs might increase use, but ...well, I just keeping gagging on the thought that straight people will turn gay by choice.

[a fool in paradise]

Will it do anything to reduce promiscuity among homosexuals or will these be marriages in name only?

[a fool in paradise]

well, I just keeping gagging on the thought that straight people will turn gay by choice.

Except for high school girls, lesbians until graduation (college), etc, right?

[MAD-AS-HELL]

yeah that’s it.....better watch out, you might not only catch the swine flu but you might catch the gay bug!

[edcoil]

“Extensive research...reveals that homosexuality is primarily environmentally induced.”

So being gay is caused by global warming?

[MAD-AS-HELL]

ok, if we can prove that Buttcrack Obama is light in his air jordan’s then I will say this has some merit.

[stripes1776]

I’m not suprised by the results of the study. Man still has free will to determine his own behavior, in spite of what some would say.

Perhaps man has free will, but what does that have to do with the study? The study says that sexual behavior is determined by environment. If a particular behavior is determined by environment, then in that context that behavior is not determined by free will.

Here is the main conclusion of the study: "Instead of genetic factors, these Scandinavian studies concluded that unique environmental factors play the largest role in the development of homosexual behavior." If environmental factors develop a particular behavior, then that behavior is not the result of free will on the part of an individual.

Psychological behaviorists are determinists. They use statistical methods. They assume that there is some social factor that determines a particular behavior. Statistical, quantitavie methods do not offer any possibility of studying free will.

A man exercising free will would refuse to let environmental factors determine his behavior.