It’s something that affects everyone—not only the homosexual community. Homophobia stems from different sources and causes and some people are more inclined to being homophobic than others. Typically, individuals who were raised in a strictly religious home tend hold more prejudice towards homosexuals. Just like people who were brought up in an open-minded environment are more inclined to being open-minded themselves. This ideology doesn’t just pertain to adults. Young individuals tend to side with whatever their parents’ beliefs are, so if the parental figures in a household are homophobic, they will most likely be too. Mental Health professionals believe that “some men feel that they need to be homophobic in order to prove their heterosexuality and masculinity to others” (Cozza, 2003). Research has shown that individuals with homophobic attitudes sometimes have homosexual tendencies themselves. This argument concludes that when a person starts noticing such behaviors, they could go into denial and hide behind homophobic remarks. This is caused by the fear that homophobia instills—it’s a torturous cycle. If an individual lives in an area where homosexuality is frowned upon, they’ll be pressured into masking their sexuality in fear of their homophobic community finding out. “Ignorance is what breeds homophobia” (Cozza, 2003). Research has shown that educated people tend to not be homophobic. This indicates that uneducated individuals are inclined to believe any and all homosexual stereotypes which results in them being
It’s something that affects everyone—not only the homosexual community. Homophobia stems from different sources and causes and some people are more inclined to being homophobic than others. Typically, individuals who were raised in a strictly religious home tend hold more prejudice towards homosexuals. Just like people who were brought up in an open-minded environment are more inclined to being open-minded themselves. This ideology doesn’t just pertain to adults. Young individuals tend to side with whatever their parents’ beliefs are, so if the parental figures in a household are homophobic, they will most likely be too. Mental Health professionals believe that “some men feel that they need to be homophobic in order to prove their heterosexuality and masculinity to others” (Cozza, 2003). Research has shown that individuals with homophobic attitudes sometimes have homosexual tendencies themselves. This argument concludes that when a person starts noticing such behaviors, they could go into denial and hide behind homophobic remarks. This is caused by the fear that homophobia instills—it’s a torturous cycle. If an individual lives in an area where homosexuality is frowned upon, they’ll be pressured into masking their sexuality in fear of their homophobic community finding out. “Ignorance is what breeds homophobia” (Cozza, 2003). Research has shown that educated people tend to not be homophobic. This indicates that uneducated individuals are inclined to believe any and all homosexual stereotypes which results in them being