Nurture and Nature - Influence of Parents on Childrens Sexual Orientat

Influence of Parents on Childrens Sexual orientation Do parents influence their nipperrens sexuality? The answer maysurprise you no they do not. It has been found that about 90% of sons of gayfathers are straight (Bailey 124). It was overly found that 90% of daughtersof lesbian women are also straightaway (Golombok 4). According to a poll takenby Northwestern University to the highest degree 95% of people expect children of homosexualparents to be homosexual themselves (Bailey 125). This normal belief hasaffected many child custody decisions because of the possibility of the parentsmolesting the children, or the possibility of the children becoming homosexualthemselves. Even if the children becoming homosexual is a possibility, why denycustody to a parent based on his or her sexuality? The question has been raised on what can and what cant present a childhomosexual. Some believe that children learn by imitating their parents. This theory cannot be totally rejected, however d ue to recent research it is believed tobe more unlikely. Others have said that children identify with an opposite-sexparent and copying their behavior, this coupled with a distant same-sex parentmakes the argument even more believable. It is also possible that homosexualparents reinforce certain types of behavior, either homo- or heterosexual(Bailey 125-126). Some say that hormones affect the sexuality of children, which may be contractable from the parents. For example, an anatomical difference in thehypothalamus of homosexual men has recently been identified, but the reason forthis difference is still unknown (Golombok 4). Sex hormones are seen by some... ... Whether it be hormones or genes inherited from the parents,or the environment a child is brought up in, researchers still need to completetheir studies on the issue to gamble out the truth behind the matter.BibliographyBailey, J. Michael. Sexual Orientation of Adult Sons of amusing Fathers.Developmental Psychology. 1995, V ol. 31, No. 1, 124-129Golombok, Susan. Do Parents Influence the Sexual Orientation of Their Children?Findings From a Longitudinal Study of Lesbian Families. DevelopmentalPsychology. 1996, Vol. 32, No. 1, 3-11Meyer-Bahlburg, Heino F.L. Parental Influences on the Development ofHomosexual Orientation. Developmental Psychology. 1995, Vol. 31, No. 1, 12-21Patterson, Charlotte. Sexual Orientation and benevolent Development. DevelopmentalPsychology. 1995, Vol. 31, No. 1, 3-11