[Benjamin]

I must just say I do know a couple of gay people who believe in the nurture theory.

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by Benjamin

I must just say I do know a couple of gay people who believe in the nurture theory.

..would you want to share their theory in more detail, just out of interest..?...

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by Ammi

..would you want to share their theory in more detail, just out of interest..?...

Well they believe that triggers and influences throughout upbringing at an early age "teach" them to be gay and that if they had been brought up in different ways/environments then they wouldn't be.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Benjamin

Well they believe that triggers and influences throughout upbringing at an early age "teach" them to be gay and that if they had been brought up in different ways/environments then they wouldn't be.

What kind of things do they think trigger homosexuality?

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

What kind of things do they think trigger homosexuality?

The upbringings they have had. They grew up in all female households all their lives.

Up still not sure myself. I believe it's both nature and nurture. I believe many have the tendency to be homosexual/bisexual, but it requires certain triggers for it to develop, and for some people they never encounter those triggers.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by Benjamin

The upbringings they have had. They grew up in all female households all their lives.

Up still not sure myself. I believe it's both nature and nurture. I believe many have the tendency to be homosexual/bisexual, but it requires certain triggers for it to develop, and for some people they never encounter those triggers.

mmm But it's not like all gay men were raised by only females though either

[Benjamin]

Originally Posted by Niamh.

mmm But it's not like all gay men were raised by only females though either

Oh I know that, I don't hold the opinion they do, I was just mentioning it. My opinion is that both play a part in sexuality.

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by Benjamin

Well they believe that triggers and influences throughout upbringing at an early age "teach" them to be gay and that if they had been brought up in different ways/environments then they wouldn't be.

..I guess that's interesting because they've obviously felt that some of their particular experiences could have been an influence and I think that there are things with all of us that we could pick out certain times/experiences etc of childhood and early years and say..oh, I think that might have been a factor in ******being part of my character/because this happened etc..?...but unless they had a different set of experiences in life..(which would never happen..) they would never maybe be convinced that their sexuality would be the same..I believe 'character' is influenced by environment/nature but I don't think that sexuality is character, it's genetic....but yeah, it's quite interesting that those are their thoughts....

There isn't really any difference in the weight of opinion between gay/straight people here. We've all been through the growing up process, and there isn't anything that could have affected my sexuality.

I was attracted to women before I even knew anything about their best bits, or how my bits worked because it was innate. I can still appreciate attractive men, but I just don't believe nurture plays any role in sexuality.

[Z]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

I think people are born gay. If it was nurture, then you wouldnt get brothers and sisters that were different sexualities.

Also don't think its a choice. Without offendng gay people (which I probably will do anyway) I dont see why anyone would actually chose to go against the 'norm' so to speak, and put themselves through all of the **** that apparently comes with being gay (ridicule when young, homophobia etc)

I agree with this. Why would anyone make the conscious choice to be subjected to verbal, physical and emotional abuse because of their sexuality? When people say it's a choice, I want to ask those people "so when did you choose to be straight?" - I blame religion for that attitude.

Originally Posted by Benjamin

Well they believe that triggers and influences throughout upbringing at an early age "teach" them to be gay and that if they had been brought up in different ways/environments then they wouldn't be.

I also can see where they are coming from. People develop all sorts of fetishes from experiences they had when they were younger; I can see why people would think they "became" gay because of things that happened to them when they were younger... but ultimately I don't believe that you are nurtured to be gay. It's something you are born as. I think experiences you have when you're young could contribute to how you perceive your own homosexuality and your preferences, just as your experiences as a child can give you phobias and passions...

Racism is taught. Who is teaching homosexuality? Nobody.