Currently, sexual orientation is difficult to explain, as researchers are not certain what factors cause homosexuality or heterosexuality. According to Garrett and Hough (2018), sexual orientation is usually explained by environmental factors, such as exposure and socialization preferences. However, there are some studies that focus on the biological basis for sexual orientation that found limited success in explaining the phenomenon by different abnormalities in human development. The present paper aims to describe the biological causes of homosexuality and develop an educational program for teenagers about the aspect.
Biologists tried to explain homosexuality by genetics and abnormalities in the brain structure. One of the studies in the 1990s revealed that 64% of the pairs of gay brothers identical genetic material at one end of the X chromosome in the Xq28 region (Garrett, & Hough, 2018). In 2005, a whole-genome study showed a stretch of DNA on chromosome 7 in the 7q36 region (Garrett, & Hough, 2018). In 2015, researchers identified a pattern of methylation in five DNA regions that could predict homosexuality with 70% accuracy (Garrett, & Hough, 2018). However, further research is required to confirm the findings.
Early researchers tried to explain homosexuality with atypical sex hormone levels. However, rigorous studies failed to confirm the hypothesis, and today, it is no longer viewed as a viable explanation (Garrett, & Hough, 2018). Later research revealed differences in the brain structure of gays and lesbians. First, cerebral hemispheres in gay males and straight women were of equal size, while the lesbian females and heterosexual men had a larger right hemisphere (Garrett, & Hough, 2018). Gay men were also found to have female-sized INAH3 and suprachiasmatic nucleus (Garrett, & Hough, 2018). However, all the findings were inconsistent, and additional confirmation is required.
Recent research demonstrated that sexual orientation could be determined using facial expressions. A study by González-Álvarez (2017) aimed at testing the seven multivariate predictors of homosexuality in the facial structure. Previous research by Skorska, Geniole, Vrysen, McCormick, and Bogaert determined that some facial features are more common in gay and lesbians, while others are more common for straight people (as cited by González-Álvarez, 2017). A large cohort study confirmed this idea, which supports the notion that there are correlations between the physical characteristics of a human body and sexual orientation. Therefore, the study provides limited support to the idea of the biological basis of sexual orientation.
Educational programs in middle schools concerning the biological basis of sexual orientation are vital for developing tolerance to LGBTQ. The educational program should be included in the biology class during a discussion of genes. The education program should be culture-sensitive not to offend or shock the students and their parents. At the same time, parents should have a chance to opt out of the program if they consider it inappropriate. The program should include information about how genes may be responsible for sexual orientation and the correlation between brain structure and homosexuality. The information is to be provided in a formal but coherent manner so that the children have the ability to understand the information. At the same time, the tone should be neutral, and examples are to be limited so that the children are not disrupted by their imagination.
In conclusion, even though the information about the biological basis of sexual orientation is inconclusive, the research provided enough support to the idea that homosexuality may be induced by genes or abnormalities of brain structure. This information needs to be taught in middle schools to develop tolerance to LGBTQ among middle school students. Further support for the idea may lead to the promotion of the view that homosexuality is something a person is born with, and there is no need to treat the condition, as it is normal.
References
Garrett, B., & Hough, G. (2018). Brain and behavior: An introduction to behavioral neuroscience (5th ed.). Los Angeles, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc.
González-Álvarez, J. (2017). Perception of Sexual Orientation from Facial Structure: A Study with Artificial Face Models. Archives Of Sexual Behavior, 46(5), 1251-1260.