Foundations of Anthropology
Semester 2 2014
Major Essay
Student ID: a1668201
Word Count:
What role does nature or biology play in human behaviour? Male Homosexuality
One of the earliest debates in psychology, nature versus nurture has been applied to almost every subject of human behaviour, and homosexuality is of course no exception. Whilst attitudes towards homosexuality have certainly shifted over time, there is still no firm scientific or academic consensus on what causes homosexuality in humans (Passer & Smith 2013). Much of this debate has typically been in the domain of psychologists, however, an anthropological analysis of homosexuality across cultures sheds much light on this issue and reveals the contrasting nature of the relationship between nature and culture. In this essay I will discuss the various theories implying a biological or nature basis for homosexuality, as well as drawing upon ethnographical evidence of culture’s important influence on homosexuality.
Homosexuality as nature
The relatively common phenomenon of Homosexuality, particularly in men, has been a topic of intrigue amongst …show more content…
This demonstrates quite clearly, the essence of the culture argument. The western taboo of homosexuality exists due to centuries of religious indoctrination. The absence of this taboo on homosexuality as in the case of Etoro society, will lead to increased homosexual activity (just as if the heterosexual taboo is absence, ‘straight-sex’ will be more free and prevalent). If this taboo is not related to nature, then clearly we have evidence that culture is largely at play in whether one participates in homosexual behaviour. After all, it is not engrained in the human DNA that semen is essential in the maturation of young men, nor that straight sex is
Semester 2 2014
Major Essay
Student ID: a1668201
Word Count:
What role does nature or biology play in human behaviour? Male Homosexuality
One of the earliest debates in psychology, nature versus nurture has been applied to almost every subject of human behaviour, and homosexuality is of course no exception. Whilst attitudes towards homosexuality have certainly shifted over time, there is still no firm scientific or academic consensus on what causes homosexuality in humans (Passer & Smith 2013). Much of this debate has typically been in the domain of psychologists, however, an anthropological analysis of homosexuality across cultures sheds much light on this issue and reveals the contrasting nature of the relationship between nature and culture. In this essay I will discuss the various theories implying a biological or nature basis for homosexuality, as well as drawing upon ethnographical evidence of culture’s important influence on homosexuality.
Homosexuality as nature
The relatively common phenomenon of Homosexuality, particularly in men, has been a topic of intrigue amongst …show more content…
This demonstrates quite clearly, the essence of the culture argument. The western taboo of homosexuality exists due to centuries of religious indoctrination. The absence of this taboo on homosexuality as in the case of Etoro society, will lead to increased homosexual activity (just as if the heterosexual taboo is absence, ‘straight-sex’ will be more free and prevalent). If this taboo is not related to nature, then clearly we have evidence that culture is largely at play in whether one participates in homosexual behaviour. After all, it is not engrained in the human DNA that semen is essential in the maturation of young men, nor that straight sex is