” . . . in most cases it is a compulsion embedded due to early emotional damage, not arrived at by choice.”
And according to the studies I cited above, that appears to explain 60% of the issue. It seems there has to be:
1. Genetic predisposition to the response.
2. Early emotional trauma, encouragement or other abnormal external influence.
3. Social, physical and emotional stimuli that reinforces the behavior.
Now waiting for the accusation that because I included genetic predisposition I’m claiming people or “born that way” in 5 . . . 4. . . 3.. . 2...
I agree with you for the most part. I’m not sure I’d go as far as genetic predisposition, but I do think it’s possible that, as I said, there’s a physiological component that may steer them in that direction whereas some else with a different makeup might go the route of eating disorder, for instance. But of course we agree that even if it were something they were “born with,” that wouldn’t equate to it being healthy, desirable or untreatable any more than a cleft palate.
I think the 60% figure is too low, unless you’re combining male and female homosexuality. It does seem that female homosexuality tends to often be a more conscious reaction to some form of abuse at the hands of men, and that the male version is more deeply rooted in the psyche.