Heterosexuality

• 1. Etymology And Terminology

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  The word heterosexual emerged from a specific moment in 1869 when Karl Maria Kertbeny coined the term alongside its counterpart homosexual. This coinage occurred within the broader 19th-century tradition of personality taxonomy that sought to categorize human behavior. The prefix hetero derives from the Greek word héteros meaning other party or another, while sex comes from Latin words describing characteristic sexual differentiation. These terms did not enter common use until decades after their creation. Richard von Krafft-Ebing and Albert Moll reintroduced them around 1890 for wider scientific discussion. The noun entered wider usage from the early 1920s but remained rare until the 1960s. A colloquial shortening called hetero appeared first in print in 1933 according to dictionary records. The abstract noun heterosexuality itself was recorded for the first time in 1900. Merriam-Webster listed the word in 1923 as a medical term for morbid sexual passion for one of the opposite sex. By 1934 the same dictionary defined it simply as normal sexuality manifesting sexual passion for one of the opposite sex. The word straight originated later as mid-20th century gay slang derived from the phrase to go straight meaning stop engaging in homosexual sex. Author G.W. Henry used this term in 1941 during conversations with homosexual males about people identified as ex-gays. Some object to using straight because it implies non-heterosexual people are crooked rather than different.

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• 2. Biological Determinants

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  Scientists do not know the exact cause of sexual orientation yet they theorize that genetic hormonal and environmental influences interact to determine it. No simple singular determinant has been conclusively demonstrated through research studies. Researchers favor biological theories explaining causes of sexual orientation since evidence supports nonsocial factors more strongly especially for males. Factors related to heterosexual development include genes prenatal hormones and brain structure interacting with the environment. Estradiol and testosterone catalyzed by enzyme 5α-reductase into dihydrotestosterone act upon androgen receptors in the brain to masculinize it. If there are few androgen receptors or too much androgen physical and psychological effects can occur. People with androgen insensitivity syndrome experience these conditions while females with congenital adrenal hyperplasia face similar challenges. Both male and female heterosexuality may result from this process according to some researchers. Heterosexuality in females links to lower amounts of masculinization found in lesbian females though results vary regarding male heterosexuality degrees of masculinization compared to homosexual males. The neurobiology of brain masculinization remains fairly well understood despite ongoing debates about specific mechanisms. Scientists believe a combination of genetic hormonal and environmental factors determines sexual orientation without any single factor proving conclusive.

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• 3. Demographic Prevalence

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  A 2016 literature review by Bailey et al. stated that vast majority of individuals across all cultures remain sexually predisposed exclusively to the other sex. No persuasive evidence suggests demographics of sexual orientation have varied much across time or place. Heterosexual activity between one male and one female represents far most common type of sociosexual activity globally. Several major studies indicate 89% to 98% of people have had only heterosexual contact within their lifetime. A 1992 study reported 93.9% of males in Britain had only heterosexual experience while France showed 95.9%. According to a 2008 poll 85% of Britons had opposite-sex sexual contact while 94% identified as heterosexual. UK Office for National Statistics survey in 2010 found 95% of Britons identified as heterosexual with 1.5% identifying as homosexual or bisexual. In United States approximately 250 million adult population identify as heterosexual according to Williams Institute report from April 2011. An October 2012 Gallup poll concluded 96.6% of all U.S. adults identify as heterosexual with margin of error plus or minus 1%. Age breakdowns show 90.1% of 18-29 year olds identify as heterosexual compared to 91.5% of those aged 65 and older. Women aged 18-29 show 88.0% identification rates while men same age group reach 92.1%. A 2015 YouGov survey of 1,000 US adults found 89% sample identified as heterosexual with 4% each as homosexual or bisexual.

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• 4. Historical Social Construction

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  Jonathan Ned Katz dates definition of heterosexuality as used today to late 19th century when terms emerged for comparison and contrast. Victorian era viewed sex primarily as means to achieve reproduction rather than overtly sexual relations between sexes. Body thought of as tool for procreation meant human energy used producing children and work not wasted in libidinous pleasures. Modern ideas of sexuality and eroticism began developing in America and Germany during later 19th century. Changing economy and transformation of family from producer to consumer resulted in shifting values throughout society. Victorian work ethic changed allowing pleasure become more highly valued enabling new ideas about human sexuality to develop. Consumer culture created market for erotic where pleasure became commoditized simultaneously medical doctors acquired more power and influence. They developed medical model of normal love where healthy men and women enjoyed sex part of new ideal male-female relationships including essential necessary normal eroticism. This model had counterpart called Victorian Sex Pervert anyone failing to meet norm established by society. Basic oppositeness of sexes formed basis for normal healthy sexual attraction according to historical analysis. Attention paid sexual abnormal created need name sexual normal better distinguish average him and her from deviant it. Creation of term heterosexual consolidated social existence pre-existing heterosexual experience creating sense ensured validated normalcy within it.

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• 5. Cultural Symbolism

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  Heterosexual symbolism dates back earliest artifacts humanity with gender symbols ritual fertility carvings primitive art representing opposite-sex attraction. Later expressed through symbolism fertility rites polytheistic worship often included images human reproductive organs like lingam Hinduism tradition. Modern symbols societies derived European traditions still reference symbols used ancient beliefs connecting past to present. One such image combines symbol Mars Roman god war definitive male symbol masculinity with Venus Roman goddess love beauty definitive female symbol femininity. Unicode character for combined symbol appears as U+26A4 in digital systems worldwide. Judeo-Christian tradition contains several scriptures related heterosexuality including Book Genesis stating God created woman because man should not alone. Scripture states therefore shall man leave father mother cleave unto wife becoming one flesh according to King James Version text. Most religious traditions world reserve marriage heterosexual unions though exceptions exist including certain Buddhist Hindu traditions Unitarian Universalists Metropolitan Community Church Anglican dioceses Quaker United Church Canada Reform Conservative Jewish congregations. Almost all religions believe sex between man and woman within marriage allowed few believing sin such Shakers Harmony Society Ephrata Cloister promoting celibacy instead. Some religions require celibacy certain roles Catholic priests view heterosexual marriage sacred necessary despite requiring abstinence from sexual relations.

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• 6. Societal Norms And Bias

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  Heteronormativity denotes worldview promoting heterosexuality normal preferred sexual orientation people have assigning strict gender roles males females. Term popularized Michael Warner 1991 introduction Fear Queer Planet published Social Text journal issue 9 number 4 pages 3-17. Feminist Adrienne Rich argues compulsory heterosexuality continual repeating reassertion heterosexual norms facet heterosexism described Sign article pages 631-660 1980. Compulsory heterosexuality idea female heterosexuality assumed enforced patriarchal society making natural inclination obligation both sexes anyone differing deemed deviant abhorrent. Heterosexism form bias discrimination favor opposite-sex sexuality relationships involving assumption everyone heterosexual various kinds discrimination against gays lesbians bisexuals asexuals heteroflexible transgender non-binary individuals. Straight pride slogan arose late 1980s early 1990s used primarily social conservative groups political stance strategy adopted various LGBTQ groups early 1970s accommodations provided gay pride initiatives. Relatively recent tactic used backlash opposing les bi gay trans campus visibility so-called heterosexual pride strategy described response gay pride not surprisingly individuals pride stage most criticized heterosexual persons many LGBT individuals uncomfortable forcing majority share discomfort. Heterosexual individuals may express bewilderment term straight pride arguing they do not talk about straight pride despite majority status.

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