Nurture and Nature - Influence of Parents on Childrens Sexual Orientat

Influence of Parents on Childrens cozy Orientation Do parents make their childrens sexuality? The answer maysurprise you no they do not. It has been found that about 90% of sons of gayfathers are heterosexual (Bailey 124). It was also found that 90% of daughtersof lesbian women are also heterosexual (Golombok 4). According to a poll takenby no.thwestern University almost 95% of people expect children of transsexual(prenominal)parents to be homosexual themselves (Bailey 125). This popular belief hasaffected many child custody decisions because of the possibility of the parentsmolesting the children, or the possibility of the children sightly 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 idler and what cant make a childhomosexual. Some believe that children learn by imitating their parents. Thistheory cannot be totally rejected, but due to recent rese arch 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 achievable 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 contagious from the parents. For example, an anatomical rest 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 find out the truth behind the matter.BibliographyBailey, J. Michael. Sexual Orientation of Adult Sons of Gay Fathers.Developmental Psychology. 1995, Vol. 31, No. 1, 124-129Golombo k, 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 Human Development. DevelopmentalPsychology. 1995, Vol. 31, No. 1, 3-11