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Heterosexuality primarily refers to aesthetic, sexual, and romantic attraction exclusively between two individuals of opposite genders. It is characterised as a sexual orientation, contrasted with homosexuality and bisexuality.
Etymology
Hetero- comes from the Greek word heteros, meaning "different" (for other uses, see heterozygote, heterogeneous), and the Latin for sex (that is, characteristic sex or sexual differentiation). The term "heterosexual" was coined shortly after and opposite to the word "homosexual" by Karl Maria Kertbeny in 1868 and was first published in 1869. "Heterosexual" was first listed in Merriam-Websters's New International Dictionary as a medical term for "morbid sexual passion for one of the opposite sex", but in 1934 in their Second Edition Unabridged it is a "manifestation of sexual passion for one of the opposite sex; normal sexuality". (Katz, 1995)
Biology
Humans
Heterosexuality, like any forms of identity is very subjective. In western society, one is generally thought of as heterosexual if one derives either all, or the vast majority of their erotic and/or sexual stimulation from people of the different sex to them. In other cultures a heterosexual man may engage in homosexual intercourse provided that he keeps the role traditionally assigned to his sex during intercourse and his gender during the surrounding relationship. Also, in some cultures a heterosexually identifying man may assume any role during homosexual congress as a social action provided he maintains a relationship with a woman in his family life. Cultural allowances such as this have been historically rarer amongst women, but more recently have been tolerated more than the male equivalents largely because of its connection to some schools of feminism.
Definitions of sexuality tends to be narrower to most heterosexuals than it is to people of other sexual orientations. In most cases a potential partner's sex is determined wholly by anatomic sex at birth and genetic sex. Many heterosexuals would argue that one who determination of a partner's sex deviates from that criterion cannot truly be heterosexual. Transgendered people and even those with many natural intersex conditions are very rarely seen as potential mates by heterosexuals, even those who consider themselves tolerant and accepting to such identities.
Animals
In the animal kingdom, the vast majority of sexual reproduction results from heterosexual coitus between sexually mature partners.
History and demographics
The prevalence of exclusive heterosexuality has varied over the centuries and also from culture to culture. See Demographics of sexual orientation
Though there have always been individuals (sometimes in a majority, sometimes in a minority) who were exclusively attracted to those of the opposite sex, heterosexuality as an identity (just like homosexuality) has developed only since the middle of the nineteenth century.
The history of heterosexuality is part of the history of sexuality. That history and science derivative of it is far from complete. Owing to complications of human politics and prejudice, coupled with the maleable nature of human behaviour, it will be some time before the history and nature of all forms of human sexual behaviour are truly known.
Psychological factors relating to sexuality
Main article: Sexual orientation
A broad array of opinion holds that much human behavior ultimately is explainable in terms of natural selection. From this point of view, the shifting social balance between heterosexual and homosexual desire has evolved as a fitter survival strategy for the species than either an exclusively heterosexual or homosexual configuration of desire.
In traditional societies individuals are often under heavy social pressure to marry and have children, irrespective of their sexual orientation. In modern society, many homosexual people who wish to have children have found a way to satisfy their nurturing instincts, either through fostering or adopting children, or through artificial or natural insemination.
Not all people who are attracted to, or have sexual relationships with members of the opposite sex identify themselves as heterosexual: people who do not identify primarily as heterosexual may sometimes engage in heterosexual behaviour. Similarly, some people frequently have sex with members of the same sex yet still see themselves as heterosexual. (See bisexuality)
According to American Psychiatric Association (APA), there are numerous theories about the origins of a person's sexual orientation, but some believe that "sexual orientation is most likely the result of a complex interaction of environmental, cognitive and biological factors", and that genetic factors play a "significant role" in determining a person's sexuality. The APA currently officially states that sexual orientation is not chosen and cannot be changed, a radical reversal from the recent past, when non-normative sexuality was considered a deviancy or mental ailment treatable through institutionalization or other radical means.
Slang
The term "straight" is a mid-20th century gay slang term for heterosexuals, ultimately coming from the phrase "to go straight" (as in "straight and narrow"), or stop being gay . One of the first uses of the word in this way was in 1941 by author G. W. Henry. Henry's book concerned conversations with homosexual males and used this term in connection with the reference to ex-gays. Though not originally intended to refer to heterosexuals, like the meanings of many words, its primary usage has changed over time.
The term breeder, a word which is normally applied to animals, is sometimes used to describe heterosexuals.
The History of Same-Sex Unions
Most individuals will believe that the issue of same-sex marriages is one of the more recent nuisances that have appeared in our culture. What many fail to understand is that same-sex unions have a history of their own, which reaches out from all the continents (excluding Antarctica) from as early as Ancient Egypt, the rise of Rome and mythological Greece.. The first recorded male couple in history was Khnumhotep and Niankhknum during the Fifth Dynasty. Same-sex relationships have also been recorded in all of Ancient Asia-from the Middle East to South and East Asia. These unions were usually those between men and involved difference in age. In China, in Fujian, male love was practiced between men and male youths. These marriages would last quite some years and the elder of the couple was responsible in finding the younger lover a wife in order for a family to be raised. In Classical Europe, same-sex marriages were plentiful, but the practice was claimed unlawful in 342 CE. In Greece, Greek men (erastes) and youths (eromenos) were involved in pederastic relationships, in which the young males of the couple were of the age at which women were usually married and just as relationships between men and young women, these same-sex unions had to have the approval of the father. These marriages also consisted of a sexual component. In ancient Rome, Emperor Nero married two other men and Emperor Diocletian did so as well. The Romans considered sexuality as a form of dominance and felt powerful by raping their enemies This behaviour is the direct reason which led to the intolerance of same-sex relationships in Rome. In medieval Europe, same-sex relations were very rare and quite hidden. Passionate friendships between same sexes was celebrated, yet the love was deemed in being dispassionate. In 19th century U.S.A., tow women were allowed to make a commitment to each other that was named a “Boston Marriage”, yet involved no forms of sexual activity.
The Effects of Same Sex-Marriages on Culture
Same-sex marriages were an important part of everyday life and culture in the Ancient world. It may surprise many individuals to hear this, because it is an issue of such controversy in our lives today. Same-sex unions were considered reflective of the value the Chinese culture placed on the reciprocal relationship between wise elders teaching the weaker younger members of their ancient society. These marriages helped young males of the relationship to benefit in their future, as their partners found them wives with which they were to start families with. The Ancient Greek same-sex marriages were a part of specific social and religious responsibilities. In Native North America, the “Two-Spirit” relationship between certain male members of the tribe was one of cultural importance and forwarded respect towards these couples. In the recent history of the United States, women were allowed to make long-term commitment which was called a “Boston Marriage”. All these cultures considered same-sex partners as respected individuals who had an important role and was deemed quite necessary in the growth and cultivation of a culture.
References
- "Heterosexualism". HyperDictionary.com, Webnox Corp. (Cited February 13, 2004)
- Wikholm, Andrew, "Words: Heterosexual". Gay History.com. (Cited February 14, 2004)
- "Straight, Ex-gay". Descriptors for Sexual Minorities. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, H2G2. BBC. (Cited February 14, 2004)
- "Answers to Your Questions About Sexual Orientation and Homosexuality" American Psychiatric Association. (Cited February 9, 2004)
- "Heterosexual Sex". World Sex Explorer. (Cited February 14, 2004)
- Katz, Jonathan Ned (1995) The Invention of Heterosexuality. NY, NY: Dutton (Penguin Books). ISBN 0525938451.
See also
Books
- Kinsey, Alfred C., et al., "Sexual Behavior in the Human Male". Indiana University Press. ISBN 0253334128
- Kinsey, Alfred C., et al., "Sexual Behavior in the Human Female". Indiana University Press. ISBN 025333411X
- Musser, Trevor J., a well known heterosexual wrote "Loving women". Ohio University Press. ISBN 12243637134
External links
- Keel, Robert O., "Heterosexual Deviance". (Goode, 1994, chapter 8, and Chapter 9, 6th edition, 2001.) Sociology of Deviant Behavior: FS 2003, University of Missouri - St. Louis.
- "Heterosexual partner rights raise questions". The News' View, Yale Daily News Publishing Company. January 27, 2004.
- Coleman, Thomas F., "What's Wrong with Excluding Heterosexual Couples from Domestic Partner Benefits Programs?". Unmarried America, American Association for Single People.
- "Confidential Heterosexuality". Heterosexual Experience Stories. Raw Psychology Productions.