Sexual Orientation Issues in America

Sexual Orientation issues in America have become very rampant, especially among teens. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), most adolescents (boys and girls, married and unmarried) have become sexually active before the age of 20 (7). There are a lot of theories as to why a teenager might become "sexually active" with a homosexual tendency. A homosexual is a person who is sexually and emotionally interested in a member of ones own sex (1). Today this is the "term" for a gay male or a lesbian female. There are also bisexuals and transsexuals. Bisexuality is described as an "open expression of interest in both sexes"; whereas Tran sexuality is often referred to as "a person who distinguishes themselves as really feeling that they are members of the opposite sex" (1).

Some people say that homosexuality is a lifestyle, a choice, or even an illness. In a recent poll, 44% of the respondents believe that homosexuality is a choice (3). However, theorists believe that homosexuality tends to arise at an early age. Another theory is that families of homosexuals are characterized by an overprotective mother and an absent father. Another explanation is that there could have been a lack of hormones processed by the mother while she was pregnant (1). According to the World Health Organization, homosexuality, bisexuality, Tran sexuality, and even heterosexuality are all instances of psychological disorders (6). For example, if you have one disorder, there is a chance you will have another disorder. So they are saying that if you have one disorder, there is an instance you will have "homosexuality, bisexuality, Tran sexuality, and even heterosexuality." However, all of these theories are just that, theories, and have yet to be proven, but can be put into the categories listed above (lifestyle, choice, or illness).

Statistically, and globally, only 3-4% of the male population, and 1.5-2% of the female population are open homosexuals (2). Inside the U.S., there are an apparent 10% of open homosexuals (5). However, these statistics do not include our nation's youth and millions of people who choose to "stay in the closet." I can see why anyone would want to stay in the closet; there are not many people who would openly accept the fact that there is a gay in the community. In 49 out of 50 of our states in the U.S.A. outlaws gay marriage, there is no healthcare, adopting a child varies from state to state, and there is a lot of domestic and community violence. But there is no denying yourself, a lot of these young people are convinced that this is the way they are, and is the way they want to be. The emotional, physical, and even social freedom, that you have when you step out into the world, is a beautiful thing.

Sexual activity among teenagers in the USA had climbed steadily from 1970 but then fell in the 1990's, due to more condom use and fewer pregnancies. In a recent study (1998) one out of every 100 girls ages 13-15 became pregnant. Which would explain why only 25% of boys and 20% of girls had sex before age 16 in 1997 (2). This also gives you something to think about; why do we "teach" sexual education classes at the age of 15 if many pre-teens are sexually active at 13? However, 56% of 16-45 year olds always use a condom with a casual partner (2). Which I guess is safe to say that at least some of that high school education paid off.

On the subject of sexual orientation, why not marriage? America is evenly divided on the question of legalizing gay sexual relations, but is firmly opposed to gay marriages (4). So what is America saying is that gays would be allowed to adopt and raise a child, but not have a marriage certificate to prove their love like any straight couple. Why not, if everyone is created equal why not the homosexual too? Before that homosexual was open he was given the same rights as anyone else. In a recent poll on gay marriage, 37% are in favor of legalizing a law to give gay's a marriage certificate. However, 33% oppose this type of law, and 30% had no opinion. In the same poll, 40% favor civil unions, 25% oppose, and 35% no opinion.

Sex and violence, a hand in hand venture? For millions of adolescents, sex it's linked with coercion, violence, and abuse (7). In 1998, 40% of girls said they were forced into before the age of 15. And apparently, USA biomedical research has shown that lesbian sexuality and identity eventually emerges, regardless of culture (2). So whether a young, Mexican girl, Polish girl, Irish girl, Italian girl, all-American girl, they are implying that your culture does not matter, eventually the stress of bearing that weight will eventually over bear itself. Sex should not be hand in hand with violence, sadly it is. Being forced into an unwanted sexual relationship, can be highly emotional, and bring about fear, depression, even serious psychological side effects.

Looking for a relationship? Everyone is. Why not try the internet? A lot of young folks blithely entrust intimacies to billions of fellow earthlings who scan the internet looking for just this sort of juicy detail, preferably with pictures. Almost in a matter of a decade or so, the guardrails of shame and pride that previously kept explicit sexual chatter with in certain bounds have been thoroughly bashed. Recently, and eighth-grade girl (age 13-15) used a digital camera to record her sexual adventures, which she promptly e-mailed to a boy in her class (8). Maybe she thought it would make him like her, whatever the reasons, socially, emotionally, and physically, she doesn't know it yet, but is not acceptable at all. Socially, she could be barred from certain jobs, since one of her bosses recognizes her from that film on the net. Even friends and family, would and could ignore her completely. Emotionally and physically her body is not ready. So whatever thought process in her head that drives her, is wrong, and as a young child still depends on making mistakes throughout her life; however, this should not be one of them.

For whatever reasons our nation's youth choose to become homosexual, bisexual, or transsexual, there are not many positive side affects that would drive one to become that way, out of choice. Becoming openly gay would leave a young child open to ridicule, punishment, and violence for the rest of their life, which is not necessary. Why would someone want to be ridiculed for the way they are? However, if theories are correct, it may not be a choice, and is triggered at this prime age or given to the child as they were born.

In conclusion, life is too short to hide under the covers but also to scary to keep the covers up to your chin. If a child is convincing that they are gay, keep them under your wing, and closely, otherwise they might be hurt, physically, emotionally, and socially, by anti-gay citizens. Our nation's youth are becoming highly sexually active, while there are less pregnancies, more condom use, but there are those who choose not to use a condom, and sexually transmitted diseases and infections are on the rise. Mothers and fathers keep your children under close watch, spend time with them, and make sure you can openly talk with them about such subjects.

Works Cited:
Lagasse, Paul. The Colombia Encyclopedia. 2000. Sixth Edition.

Mackay, Judith, Dr. "Global sex: Sexuality and Sexual practices around the world." Sexual and Relationship Therapy, Vol. 16, No. 1, 2001.12.

O'Neil, Peter. "Nearly half of the U.S. would make homosexuality illegal, says poll." Can West News Service. 26 Dec. 2003: A10.

"Where America Stands" USA Today/CNN/Gallup Poll. 24 Feb. 2004: 6D.

McMurdy, Deirde. "They do: As same-sex couples rush to seal their vows, wedding suppliers race to tap what they view as affluent, style-conscious consumer." Financial Post. 28 Feb. 2004. IN01.

WHO. F60-F69 www.who.int/msa/mnh/ems/icd10/f60-f69.htm

WHO. "Adolescent sexual and reproductive health" CAH-ASRHD. 200-2004. 3 June 2004. www.who.int/child-adolescent-health/asrh.htm

Fisher, Marc. "It's Called Intimacy for a Reason." Pg25; the Philadelphia Daily News. 3 June 2004.