What causes heterosexuality?

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  • AndrewPdAndrewPd Posts: 6,718
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    merlinsmum wrote: »
    Who came up with that term? I've never heard it.:confused:

    Of course the obvious reason for heterosexuality is the fact that without help from science, it is the only way to preserve the species.


    Adrienne Rich devised the term in an essay in a book.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compulsory_Heterosexuality_and_Lesbian_Existence


    Rich argues that heterosexuality is a violent political institution making way for the "male right of physical, economical, and emotional access" to women. She urges women to direct their energies towards other women rather than men, and portrays lesbianism as an extension of feminism. Rich challenges the notion of women's dependence on men as social and economic supports, as well as for adult sexuality and psychological completion. She calls for what she describes as a greater understanding of lesbian experience, and believes that once such an understanding is obtained, these boundaries will be widened and women will be able to experience the "erotic" in female terms.
  • MidnightFalconMidnightFalcon Posts: 15,016
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    AndrewPd wrote: »
    Adrienne Rich devised the term in an essay in a book.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compulsory_Heterosexuality_and_Lesbian_Existence

    She sounds like great fun at parties...
  • AndrewPdAndrewPd Posts: 6,718
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    She sounds like great fun at parties...

    I think she was just reacting to overwhelming oppression.

    The reality is that women have often been the main losers in heterosexuality.

    They are still seen as objects for men and they themselves seem to support this role by focusing so much on appearance and stereotypes in magazines and media aimed at them.
  • Jackboy18Jackboy18 Posts: 1,659
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    'What causes heterosexuality?'- because women are fit?

    Actually, males are the more attractive gender. This is true in all creatures in which there are noticeable differences between the males and the females of the species.

    In regard to humans, even the "fittest" female bodies are outshined by moderately maintained male physiques, let alone male bodies that have been totally worked up to top quality.
  • Stever7Stever7 Posts: 1,675
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    jackthom wrote: »
    Yes I was about to say the same. I think it's fascinating that the hardwiring seems to be reversed in around 10% of the population though. :confused:

    Indeed. I will say I don't view it as a defect or anything and I do think people are (mostly) born that way. But I do think it's niave not to think heterosexual relationships are the default type of relationship. It has to be for the simple practice of continuing the race.
  • Stever7Stever7 Posts: 1,675
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    Jackboy18 wrote: »
    Actually, males are the more attractive gender. This is true in all creatures in which there are noticeable differences between the males and the females of the species.

    In regard to humans, even the "fittest" female bodies are outshined by moderately maintained male physiques, let alone male bodies that have been totally worked up to top quality.

    That is completely speculative and relative :/ Neither sex are more attractive than the other and there's no scientific way to measure beauty. It will depend on who you ask :/

    Edit: Darn it, had hoped another post would have been made before I replied. Sorry for the DP.
  • Pumping IronPumping Iron Posts: 29,891
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    Jackboy18 wrote: »
    Actually, males are the more attractive gender. This is true in all creatures in which there are noticeable differences between the males and the females of the species.

    In regard to humans, even the "fittest" female bodies are outshined by moderately maintained male physiques, let alone male bodies that have been totally worked up to top quality.

    Rubbish. If you think even the fittest female can be outshone by a moderate male, you have very low standards of men.
  • MustabusterMustabuster Posts: 5,973
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    Heterosexual relationships are the norm hence why kids are bought up with hetro role play as that is how they're expected to turn out statistically. If they turn out to be gay when they're older then deal with it then. Nobody brings their kids up from the start expecting them to be gay apart fro the old weirdos we sometimes hear about in the DM who treat their children as social experiments.
  • Jackboy18Jackboy18 Posts: 1,659
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    Stever7 wrote: »
    That is completely speculative and relative :/ Neither sex are more attractive than the other and there's no scientific way to measure beauty. It will depend on who you ask :/

    Edit: Darn it, had hoped another post would have been made before I replied. Sorry for the DP.

    If you look at all animals, including humans, the males are always the more impressive looking. For example:
    • Ostriches: The male stands tall, dark and handsome, while the female is grey and dowdy.
    • Ducks: The male is multi-coloured and attractive, while the female is frumpy.
    • Lions: The grand male has a flowing mane, while the lioness is bland in comparison.
    • Turkeys: The male is grander here too.
    • Peafowl: The same is true here.
    The list can go on and on.
  • jesayajesaya Posts: 35,597
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    Stever7 wrote: »
    Sorry to state the obvious, but genetics? It's in built into (most) people to want to have it away with the opposite sex so that their DNA gets passed on to the next generation. It's the same kind deal with breathing, it's just hardwired in there.

    The current research indicates that sexuality is a combination of genetic factors; in-utero development and early post-natal development. The factors vary between individuals.

    Genetics isn't the be-all and end-all of everything.
  • CELT1987CELT1987 Posts: 12,339
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    They can, it just involves a w@nk and a willing female.
    Which they have to pay a lot of money for.;)
  • Jackboy18Jackboy18 Posts: 1,659
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    Rubbish. If you think even the fittest female can be outshone by a moderate male, you have very low standards of men.

    In terms of bodies, it is true. Find me a picture of the best female body going, and I'm sure I could find images of moderately maintained male bodies that are more impressive.
  • jesayajesaya Posts: 35,597
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    Jackboy18 wrote: »
    If you look at all animals, including humans, the males are always the more impressive looking. For example:
    • Ostriches: The male stands tall, dark and handsome, while the female is grey and dowdy.
    • Ducks: The male is multi-coloured and attractive, while the female is frumpy.
    • Lions: The grand male has a flowing mane, while the lioness is bland in comparison.
    • Turkeys: The male is grander here too.
    • Peafowl: The same is true here.
    The list can go on and on.

    Yes, because in those species the males need to get the attention of the females. Human males have cars and females have large bacardi and cokes.
  • missy83missy83 Posts: 14,299
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    Jackboy18 wrote: »
    If you look at all animals, including humans, the males are always the more impressive looking. For example:
    • Ostriches: The male stands tall, dark and handsome, while the female is grey and dowdy.
    • Ducks: The male is multi-coloured and attractive, while the female is frumpy.
    • Lions: The grand male has a flowing mane, while the lioness is bland in comparison.
    • Turkeys: The male is grander here too.
    • Peafowl: The same is true here.
    The list can go on and on.

    They need to be in order to attract females and reproduce. The females are the ones who ''pick'' so to speak.
  • jesayajesaya Posts: 35,597
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    Heterosexual relationships are the norm hence why kids are bought up with hetro role play as that is how they're expected to turn out statistically. If they turn out to be gay when they're older then deal with it then. Nobody brings their kids up from the start expecting them to be gay apart fro the old weirdos we sometimes hear about in the DM who treat their children as social experiments.

    Except that it doesn't matter if parents bring their children up with the girls dressed in pink with dollies and the boys nailed to their Action Men wearing combat fatigues. Sexuality and gender identity are two completely separate things.
  • EspressoEspresso Posts: 18,047
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    Jackboy18 wrote: »
    If you look at all animals, including humans, the males are always the more impressive looking. For example:
    • Ostriches: The male stands tall, dark and handsome, while the female is grey and dowdy.
    • Ducks: The male is multi-coloured and attractive, while the female is frumpy.
    • Lions: The grand male has a flowing mane, while the lioness is bland in comparison.
    • Turkeys: The male is grander here too.
    • Peafowl: The same is true here.
    The list can go on and on.

    Your examples in the non-human animal kingdom are true.
    It doesn't apply in the same way for humans, though. Men do not have different colouring to women, after all.
  • MustabusterMustabuster Posts: 5,973
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    Jackboy18 wrote: »
    If you look at all animals, including humans, the males are always the more impressive looking. For example:
    • Ostriches: The male stands tall, dark and handsome, while the female is grey and dowdy.
    • Ducks: The male is multi-coloured and attractive, while the female is frumpy.
    • Lions: The grand male has a flowing mane, while the lioness is bland in comparison.
    • Turkeys: The male is grander here too.
    • Peafowl: The same is true here.
    The list can go on and on.

    It swings both ways. Try looking at
    Anglerfish
    Black Widow Spider


    Most of your selection are birds where the male is generally brighter than the female but there are plenty of others where your rule doesn't apply.
  • Jackboy18Jackboy18 Posts: 1,659
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    jesaya wrote: »
    Yes, because in those species the males need to get the attention of the females. Human males have cars and females have large bacardi and cokes.
    missy83 wrote: »
    They need to be in order to attract females and reproduce. The females are the ones who ''pick'' so to speak.

    It doesn't matter why they are more attractive. The point is that males are more attractive.
  • jesayajesaya Posts: 35,597
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    Jackboy18 wrote: »
    It doesn't matter why they are more attractive. The point is that males are more attractive.

    That's a subjective view though - I prefer women and find them more attractive than men.

    People like bright colours so they find the bright male birds and animals more attractive - again subjective.
  • jesayajesaya Posts: 35,597
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    zx50 wrote: »
    According to National Geographic, enough testosterone makes the brain masculine in the womb. The opposite for men who are homosexuals.

    Yes, that is one example of in-utero factors that may apply to some individuals. However it is clear from twin studies that there is are genetic influences also. Plus other research indicates that young childhood experiences can also be a factor.

    I suspect that no-one will ever find every factor or combination that contributes to the sexuality of every individual. It's just too variable and complex.
  • LiamforkingLiamforking Posts: 1,641
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    AndrewPd wrote: »
    Heterosexual genes?

    Some people think all sexuality is socially created with only dispositions existing.

    I have considered the notion of omnisexuality in which we have the capability of being attracted to anything but censor our urges in line with socialisation.

    Some people have never heard of evolution.
    Hetrosexuality is the evolutionary 'norm' in most animal species.
  • Chester666666Chester666666 Posts: 9,020
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    who cares? who gives a shite why people are hetero or gay or lesbian or bi? it's still just people being people
    FFS
  • Stever7Stever7 Posts: 1,675
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    who cares? who gives a shite why people are hetero or gay or lesbian or bi? it's still just people being people
    FFS

    Scientists for one :/
  • Pumping IronPumping Iron Posts: 29,891
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    Jackboy18 wrote: »
    In terms of bodies, it is true. Find me a picture of the best female body going, and I'm sure I could find images of moderately maintained male bodies that are more impressive.

    And vice versa. It takes a lot of effort to maintain a decent physique.
  • Pumping IronPumping Iron Posts: 29,891
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    CELT1987 wrote: »
    Which they have to pay a lot of money for.;)

    Or have a good friend.
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