SOCL 3101 Chapter Notes - Chapter df: Sexual Orientation, Social Forces, Married People
3501 Final Review
Ch. 10: Gays and other Victims of Stigma
Myths about homosexuality
• Gays are typically feminine and lesbians are typically manly
• Gay men like to molest children
• Gays and lesbians play one specific role
• Gays cannot have a good sex life
• Gays and lesbians are obsessed with sex
• People are either gay or straight exclusively
Gays and Lesbians: men and women who are exclusively homosexual
• Gay men are more promiscuous than straight men
• Manly homosexuals seek long term relationships
• Compared to straight women, lesbians…
o More likely to have been tomboys
o Had aversions to girls activities
o Had feelings of closeness to specific women
o Have less knowledge of their sexual identity even when involved with another
• Most gays don’t publicly identify
• Many young homosexuals don’t think of themselves as gay
• Lesbians and gays encounter prejudice much like minorities
• Parents are not always supportive
• Grandparents tend to be more accepting
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• Gay dating is easier in larger cities
• Marriages are allowed only in some states
• Gays and lesbians are more likely to be democrat
• Homosexuals are generally better educated than straights
• Gay youth have higher suicide rates
• An increasing number of churches accept gays
Theories of Homosexuality
• Biological theories
o Lack of certain hormones
o Genetics
o Brain structure
• Psychologists used to assume homosexuality was a mental illness
• Certain social forces subtly push individuals into homosexuality
Same sex practices among straights and bisexuals
• Kinsey
o Sexual orientation is a matter of degree
o Some are more or less gay/straight than others. There is a spectrum
• Kinsey pointed out that many straights are not exclusively heterosexual
• Trades
o Males that are predominately straight but have cravings for homosexual activity
• Straight prostitutes often swing the other way for money
• Situational homosexuals
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o Engage in gay acts when the opportunity presents itself (i.e. prison)
• Bisexuals
o Men and women who go both ways
Homophobia
• Antigay prejudice and discrimination
• Majority of americans still do not approve of gay marriage
• Conservative, less educated, older people tend to be more homophobic
• Social problems
o No legal form of marriage, denial of health insurance, problems in school
• Psychological problems
o Self-hatred
o Depression
o Constant tension
• Gays and lesbians have been fighting for equal rights for over 50 years
Global perspective: Homophobia
• The problem of homophobia is greater in some other, less affluent societies
• Arrests, isolation and torture are all common risks of homosexuals abroad
Other victims of social stigmas
• Transgenderists
o People having characteristics of both sexes
o Transsexuals: one sex but identify with other
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Document Summary
Theories of homosexuality: biological theories, lack of certain hormones, genetics, brain structure, psychologists used to assume homosexuality was a mental illness, certain social forces subtly push individuals into homosexuality. Same sex practices among straights and bisexuals: kinsey, sexual orientation is a matter of degree, some are more or less gay/straight than others. Global perspective: homophobia: the problem of homophobia is greater in some other, less affluent societies, arrests, isolation and torture are all common risks of homosexuals abroad. Other victims of social stigmas: transgenderists, people having characteristics of both sexes, transsexuals: one sex but identify with other, hermaphrodites: have both sexual organs, obesity, physically disabled, tattoos. How much and when: about 50% of internet users admit to looking at porn, 25% of internet searches are related to sex, 70% takes place during work hours, 12% of websites contain porn. Child porn: illegal to make possess view or exchange.
