Biography of Alfred Kinsey
The field of sexology did not have many developments and research until the 20th century. However, even during this time, the projects and developments that scientists introduced were not widely accepted and were criticized for their nature. Alfred Kinsey was among the most well-known sexologists of his century, and one of those who persisted and resisted societal pressure. What might have influenced the interest of the sex researcher in his field is his upbringing.
Alfred Kinsey was born in 1894 in New Jersey to a conservative Christian family (Condon, 2004). His father was a professor at the local institute and a Methodist who held specific values he desired to instill in his child, such as the importance of abstinence before marriage (Condon, 2004). As a result, Alfred Kinsey had little communication regarding sex education at home. With the topic of sexuality being almost taboo, a researcher became interested in learning more (Condon, 2004). With time, Kinsey became fascinated with the field, which led to groundbreaking developments and insights into sex research.
Alfred Kinsey’s Theory
Kinsey’s developments and theory of human sexuality revolutionized the field. More specifically, the sociologist’s theory revolutionized the field since it offered an unconventional perspective of human sexuality. According to the sexologist, there are more than simply two sexual orientations, such as homosexual and heterosexual. The man believed that sexual orientation is fluid and that while everybody is different, people try to be the same (Condon, 2004).
I believe that this theory is a good characterization of human nature. The conventional orientations are more like two limiting frameworks, and the theory shows its fluidity by blurring the lines of the standard frameworks. I agree with Kinsey’s statement that people betray their nature to fit in. Humans are social beings, and seeking validation and support from their communities is essential.
Therefore, to not be a societal pariah and be subject to pressure, people conform and adjust their nature. However, I think that people should not do so due to mental health consequences. The practice of betraying one’s nature can lead not only to anxiety and frustration but also to depression.
Research Methods
Alfred Kinsey had to apply specific research methods to develop his theory and find a solid foundation for his work. The primary methods on which he relied were mainly face-to-face interviews (Condon, 2004). For the 20th century, these approaches were novel, given the nature of the research.
These methods are comparable to modern ones described by Baldwin and colleagues. According to the authors, modern surveys can eliminate shortcomings by allowing researchers to collect extensive data sets online (Baldwin et al., 2020). Similarly, Kinsey and his colleagues also required much data to eliminate bias and, therefore, contacted organizations and communities (Condon, 2004).
Although they had no access to modern tools like the World Wide Web, they found responses conventionally. Nevertheless, research methods have some advantages and disadvantages. While the advantages involve the collection of vast amounts of data on sexual behavior, the disadvantages could include a likelihood of bias and a lack of diversity. In other words, even with the theory being groundbreaking, a small population of the research and biased and false responses might invalidate the findings.
Research Controversy
The controversy over Alfred Kinsey’s research was due to the nature of the research. Kinsey’s research was conducted in the 20th century, and his insights and projects were explicit for his time’s society (Kinsey Institute, n.d.). It is probably because the overall inquiries and developments of the sexologist challenged traditional views and beliefs concerning sexuality.
When reviewing his work, people were divided into two groups: those who viewed this as a breakthrough in science and those who believed that the work of the researchers was amoral (Kinsey Institute, n.d.). As a result, the researcher’s work came under much criticism, leading to funding drying up (Kinsey Institute, n.d.). Therefore, the main impediment faced by Alfred Kinsey was societal pressure and society’s unwillingness to let unconventional research projects grow.
Kinsey’s Impact and Relevance
Lastly, Alfred Kinsey significantly impacted the modern world and contemporary perceptions of society. On the one hand, the sexologist was capable of reducing the stigma of sexual behavior. Through his works, he showed the fluidity of sexual orientation, which is helpful for many minorities. Kinsey’s efforts helped provide valuable insights into the complexities of sexual behavior, making it less of a taboo subject (Condon, 2004).
On the other hand, the researchers contributed significantly to modern society by promoting sexual education and awareness (Condon, 2004). Having little education on this topic in his childhood, Kinsey was able to share the message of its importance for further generations. With this approach, he helped individuals like him who struggled with grasping the topic that many deem common knowledge. Therefore, Alfred Kinsey’s legacy is revolutionizing the field of sexual behavior.
References
Baldwin, J., Baldwin, J. D., & LeVay, S. (2020). Discovering human sexuality. Oxford University Press.
Condon, B. (Director). (2004). Kinsey [Film]. Searchlight Pictures.
Kinsey Institute. (n.d.). The Kinsey Report on women hits the news. The Kinsey Institute.