New Evidence Found for Childhood Family Factors Influencing Sexual Orientation

NARTH ^ | October 27, 2006 | Linda Ames Nicolosi

[scripter]

("Childhood Family Correlates of Heterosexual and Homosexual Marriages: A National Cohort Study of Two Million Danes," by Morten Frisch and Anders Hviid, Archives of Sexual Behavior Oct 13, 2006; [E-publication ahead of print])

A major study is about to be published in the prestigious peer-reviewed journal, Archives of Sexual Behavior, which provides striking new evidence for the influence of childhood family factors on sexual-orientation development.

The study used a population-based sample of 2,000,355 native-born Danes between the ages of 18 and 49. Denmark -- a country noted for its tolerance of a wide variety of alternative lifestyles, including homosexual partnerships -- was the first country to legalize gay marriage. The researchers assessed detailed marriage records for all Danish-born men and women marrying a same-sex partner from the years 1989 through 2001.

With access to the "virtually complete registry coverage of the entire Danish population," the study sample therefore lacked the problematic selection bias that has plagued many previous studies on sexual orientation.

Parental Influences on Sexual Orientation Development

The authors conclude: "Our study provides population-based, prospective evidence that childhood family experiences are important determinants of heterosexual and homosexual marriage decisions in adulthood."

Assuming that people who marry heterosexually are almost always heterosexual -- especially in a country where homosexuality carries little stigma, and gay marriage is legal -- and people who marry homosexually can be presumed to be homosexual, the study's findings offer intriguing evidence about family factors separating homosexual from heterosexual persons.

The following are findings from this new data:

1. Men who marry homosexually are more likely to have been raised in a family with unstable parental relationships -- particularly, absent or unknown fathers and divorced parents.
2. Findings on women who marry homosexually were less pronounced, but were still associated with a childhood marked by a broken family. The rates of same-sex marriage "were elevated among women who experienced maternal death during adolescence, women with short duration of parental marriage, and women with long duration of mother-absent cohabitation with father."
3. Men and women with "unknown fathers" were significantly less likely to marry a person of the opposite sex than were their peers with known fathers.
4. Men who experienced parental death during childhood or adolescence "had significantly lower heterosexual marriage rates than peers whose parents were both alive on their 18th birthday. The younger the age of the father's death, the lower was the likelihood of heterosexual marriage."
5. "The shorter the duration of parental marriage, the higher was the likelihood of homosexual marriage...homosexual marriage rates were 36% and 26% higher among men and women, respectively, who experienced parental divorce after less than six years of marriage, than among peers whose parents remained married for all 18 years of childhood and adolescence."
6. "Men whose parents divorced before their 6th birthday were 39% more likely to marry homosexually than peers from intact parental marriages."
7. "Men whose cohabitation with both parents ended before age 18 years had significantly (55% -76%) higher rates of homosexual marriage than men who cohabited with both parents until 18 years."
8. The mother's age was directly linked to the likelihood of homosexual marriage among men -- the older the mother, the more likely her son was to marry another man. Also, "only children" were more likely to be homosexual.

9. Persons born in large cities were significantly more likely to marry a same-sex partner -- suggesting that cultural factors might also affect the development of sexual orientation.

"Whatever ingredients determine a person's sexual preferences and marital choices," conclude the study's authors, "our population-based study shows that parental interactions are important."

[John O]

bump to myself

[SauronOfMordor]

I don't know if I've ever met a black guy I didn't suspect was at least bi-sexual.
You're kidding, right?

Google for black and "down low". For example New York Times: Double Lives On The Down Low

[scripter]

The only conclusion that Frisch and Hviid came to in this article is that marital choices are indeed affected by parental interactions (which I doubt comes as much of a surprise to anyone). It does not - in any way, shape or form - "debunk" or "disprove" a congenital theory for sexual orientation.

Perhaps you missed the last line of the article:

"Whatever ingredients determine a person's sexual preferences and marital choices," conclude the study's authors, "our population-based study shows that parental interactions are important."

The above conclusion states sexual preferences and marital choices are affected by parental interactions. That is, environment is a major factor in determining sexual preferences and any argument to the contrary is an argument not held by any credible scientist. Futhermore, there is no evidence supporting a congenital theory for sexual orientation and no credible scientist states otherwise.

[TAdams8591]

"were elevated among women who experienced maternal death during adolescence,

Rozie O'Donnell.

[TAdams8591]

"Futhermore, there is no evidence supporting a congenital theory for sexual orientation and no credible scientist states otherwise."

I have always thought homosexuality, in most if not all instances, was explained by environmental and not genetic factors. The left of course would have us believe it's genetic, perfectly natural, and thus there is no cure.

[Scotswife]

"Any word on the incidence of homosexuality among children raised by homosexuals?"

The study seems to be saying that the longer children are exposed to both parents during a heterosexual marriage, the less likely it is they will become homosexual.
It stands to reason that children of homosexual marriages would have the highest rate of developing homosexuality.

[scripter]

I have always thought homosexuality, in most if not all instances, was explained by environmental and not genetic factors.

I'm always amazed that those who believe feminine traits in men are in some way indicative of homosexuality or evidence in support of genetic factors behind homosexuality. Not only is that not supported by science, there are far more feminine heterosexual men then there are feminine gay men. There is so much information people don't have and they need it to be informed on this important cultural issue.

The left of course would have us believe it's genetic, perfectly natural, and thus there is no cure.

Indeed. And they'll block attempts to tell the truth that gays can change--the links in post 4 tell us change is indeed possible.

[185JHP]

Regardless of how or why they are/became homosexual, the God who made them can help them...

[TAdams8591]

"I'm always amazed that those who believe feminine traits in men are in some way indicative of homosexuality or evidence in support of genetic factors behind homosexuality. Not only is that not supported by science, there are far more feminine heterosexual men then there are feminine gay men. There is so much information people don't have and they need it to be informed on this important cultural issue."

Interesting point. I'm certain you've noticed on almost every TV program, there has to be a gay, usually male, couple. This is particularly true with the new comedies. I tuned from one channel to another because the one program had a gay couple, and finding the second program was also a new comedy, I bet my friend it too would have a gay couple. Unfortunately, I was of course correct.

The big joke on this second show is that two of the straight men behaved "gayer" (more effeminately) than the two manly men involved in the gay relationship. Though I saw the humor in the joke, and have witnessed such in real life, that program was also changed. Having homosexuality so consistently and persistently shoved in your face and down your throat gets old and tiresome.

[TAdams8591]

BTW, with many gay men, the feminine way of talking (the lisp, etc) and behaving is all an act. I've seen them turn it on and off like a light switch.

[Labyrinthos]

Why do the study's authors assume that the cohort of homosexuals and heterosexuals who marry is a representative sample of the entire population of homosexuals or heteresoxuals respectively?

Because they have an agenda?

[scripter]

I haven't noticed too much simply because I don't watch TV other than an occasional sci-fi show, but I've certainly heard and read about it.

[scripter]

BTW, with many gay men, the feminine way of talking (the lisp, etc) and behaving is all an act. I've seen them turn it on and off like a light switch.

Having seen this personally I completely agree.

[scripter]

nowhere in the meat of the article was sexual preference addressed

Again from the article summary:

"Whatever ingredients determine a person's sexual preferences and marital choices," conclude the study's authors, "our population-based study shows that parental interactions are important."

The study reports parental interactions, that is the environment in which children are raised is important in determining sexual preference and marital choice. Your first post (82) apparently agrees with that. But then you changed the subject to congenital theories for sexual orientation, of which there is no scientific basis.

Then you complain about the meat of the article, which is a summary of a major study. Since there are no studies to support congenital factors in determining homosexuality, one's behavior and the words one professes are the only evidence available in determining homosexuality.

So... when somebody professes to be gay and marries somebody of the same sex, there is no other evidence to support their claim to be gay. You call this a rather poor gauge but that's the only available evidence anybody has to prove they're gay.

So we're back to square one. Environment is key in determining one's sexual preference.