Historical and Scientific Perspectives on Homosexuality
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Historical and Scientific Perspectives on Homosexuality
PSY/265
March 13, 2011
According to Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus (2005) homosexuality is an erotic attraction to, and interest in forming a romantic relationship with, members of one’s own anatomic sex. Although homosexuality refers to being sexually attracted to members of one’s own anatomic sex, the term homosexual applies to both men, often referred to as gay males, and women, most often referred to as lesbians (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, 2005).
Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus (2005) state that in early Greek history it was not uncommon to witness acts of male-male sexual encounters between an adult male and an adolescent boy, it is believed that in some cases these acts were used as a rite of passage into manhood. In some cultures throughout history, like the Swans of North Africa, male-male sexual encounters were encouraged for prepubescent males because it was thought that the consumption of semen either orally or through anal intercourse would provide the boy a boost in strength and virility (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, 2005). Although it would seem that homosexuality was accepted in these cultures male-male sexual encounter were not viewed as homosexual encounters. Instead they were viewed as a normal rite of passage into manhood because once the adolescent boy reached the age of 16 to 20 years old they would enter into marriage with a female and live out a normal heterosexual lifestyle (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, 2005).
A few centuries later the Roman society described highly feminine gay males that dressed flamboyantly, had very showy hair styles, and mannerisms (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, 2005). It was believed these men would visit certain neighborhoods looking for partners. The apostle Paul thought of this kind of behavior as a sign of the decadence of Rome thereby causing the Christian Church to assume a strongly negative view of homosexuality. In...
PSY/265
March 13, 2011
According to Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus (2005) homosexuality is an erotic attraction to, and interest in forming a romantic relationship with, members of one’s own anatomic sex. Although homosexuality refers to being sexually attracted to members of one’s own anatomic sex, the term homosexual applies to both men, often referred to as gay males, and women, most often referred to as lesbians (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, 2005).
Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus (2005) state that in early Greek history it was not uncommon to witness acts of male-male sexual encounters between an adult male and an adolescent boy, it is believed that in some cases these acts were used as a rite of passage into manhood. In some cultures throughout history, like the Swans of North Africa, male-male sexual encounters were encouraged for prepubescent males because it was thought that the consumption of semen either orally or through anal intercourse would provide the boy a boost in strength and virility (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, 2005). Although it would seem that homosexuality was accepted in these cultures male-male sexual encounter were not viewed as homosexual encounters. Instead they were viewed as a normal rite of passage into manhood because once the adolescent boy reached the age of 16 to 20 years old they would enter into marriage with a female and live out a normal heterosexual lifestyle (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, 2005).
A few centuries later the Roman society described highly feminine gay males that dressed flamboyantly, had very showy hair styles, and mannerisms (Rathus, Nevid, & Fichner-Rathus, 2005). It was believed these men would visit certain neighborhoods looking for partners. The apostle Paul thought of this kind of behavior as a sign of the decadence of Rome thereby causing the Christian Church to assume a strongly negative view of homosexuality. In...