 |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Encyclopedia :
H :
HE :
HET :
Heterosexuality |
|
|
HeterosexualityHeterosexuality is a sexual orientation characterized by esthetic attraction, romantic love or sexual desire exclusively or almost exclusively for members of the opposite (or another) sex or gender, which is contrasted with homosexuality and distinguished from bisexuality and asexuality. There is an ongoing debate as to whether a person who is almost exclusively attracted to the opposite sex or gender identity is heterosexual or technically bisexual.In addition to referring to a sexual orientation, the terms heterosexuality or heterosexual may also refer to sexual behavior or sexual activities between people of the opposite gender, regardless of sexual orientation. In some cultures, people may identify themselves as heterosexual even though they engage in sexual activity with both men and women (whether occasionally or regularly). See Demographics of sexual orientation. Heterosexualism is sometimes used as a synonym for heterosexuality (that is, a sexual orientation or behavior). However, heterosexualism (not heterosexuality) is also used in a different sense, to refer to heterosexism (the idea that heterosexuality is superior or normal). In the mammal family, sexual reproduction, a major function of sexuality, generally results from heterosexual coitus between sexually mature partners. However, the realm of sexuality far exceeds that of reproduction alone.
Definition Hetero- comes from the Greek word heteros, meaning "different" (for other uses, see heterozygote, heterogeneous), and the Latin for sex (that is, physical sexual differentiation). The term "heterosexual" was coined shortly after and opposite to the word "homosexual" by Karl Maria Kertbeny in the 1860s. [2] "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) HistoryThe 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. Psychological factors relating to sexualityMain article: Causes of sexual orientationA 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 homosexuals who wish for 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 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.[5] 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. SlangThe term "straight" is an ordinary (nontechnical) English word used to describe a heterosexual person, although the term appears to have originally derived from mid-20th century gay slang, ultimately coming from the phrase "to go straight" (as in "straight and narrow"), or stop being gay [3]. 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 non-human animals, is sometimes used as an offensive slur to describe heterosexuals. References
|
|
|
This article is from Wikipedia. All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License. |
|
| © 2008 Chamas Enterprises Inc. |
