I think the birth order studies are a bunch of hog wash:
1.) I know numerous older and only sons (including myself) who are gay, while their younger brothers are straight.
2.) The birth order study talks about feminization, and feminity does not equate precisely to homosexuality. There are many masculine gay men and feminine straight men.
3.) The size of the North American family has shrunk considerably. Our grandparents often had numerous siblings, while today we have one or two in most families. The previous generations would make much better subjects for testing such a theory.
4.) Any study of sexual orientation depends on the subject's willingness to identify his sexual orientation. Different social/cultural obligations placed on an older son may make him hesitant to identify as gay. And what of bisexuality?
While I imagine the actual studies have been more precise in their methods and have included a discussion of the shortcomings, I don't like seeing us advocate something that is so easy to refute. Can you imagine all the straight little brothers out there who feel compelled to "defend" themselves?
I think the birth order studies are a bunch of hog wash
It may be hogwash, but the phenomenon of males with older brothers being more likely to be gay has been observed for some time. It used to be believed that this was a psychological effect of having an older brother, but this study showed that having an older non-bioligical brother did not increase the odds. It also showed that if the brothers were raised separately, the odds were still increased for the younger brothers.
I know numerous older and only sons (including myself) who are gay, while their younger brothers are straight.
The study only showed a increased likelihood of a younger brother being gay. It does not account for oldest sons, only children, etc., but it is still compelling.
The birth order study talks about feminization, and feminity does not equate precisely to homosexuality.
Perhaps I'm being naive, but I took "feminization" to mean sexually feminized, i.e. being attracted to males, rather than having a feminine personality.
Any study of sexual orientation depends on the subject's willingness to identify his sexual orientation. Different social/cultural obligations placed on an older son may make him hesitant to identify as gay. And what of bisexuality?
I 100% agree. Any sexual orientation is immediately suspect given people's reluctance to be honest about their sexual attractions.
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3 comments:
I think the birth order studies are a bunch of hog wash:
1.) I know numerous older and only sons (including myself) who are gay, while their younger brothers are straight.
2.) The birth order study talks about feminization, and feminity does not equate precisely to homosexuality. There are many masculine gay men and feminine straight men.
3.) The size of the North American family has shrunk considerably. Our grandparents often had numerous siblings, while today we have one or two in most families. The previous generations would make much better subjects for testing such a theory.
4.) Any study of sexual orientation depends on the subject's willingness to identify his sexual orientation. Different social/cultural obligations placed on an older son may make him hesitant to identify as gay. And what of bisexuality?
While I imagine the actual studies have been more precise in their methods and have included a discussion of the shortcomings, I don't like seeing us advocate something that is so easy to refute. Can you imagine all the straight little brothers out there who feel compelled to "defend" themselves?
John, thanks for posting this. I "borrowed" it for my blog and added links to the studies cited in the video. Feel free to copy those links.
Pepe,
I think the birth order studies are a bunch of hog wash
It may be hogwash, but the phenomenon of males with older brothers being more likely to be gay has been observed for some time. It used to be believed that this was a psychological effect of having an older brother, but this study showed that having an older non-bioligical brother did not increase the odds. It also showed that if the brothers were raised separately, the odds were still increased for the younger brothers.
I know numerous older and only sons (including myself) who are gay, while their younger brothers are straight.
The study only showed a increased likelihood of a younger brother being gay. It does not account for oldest sons, only children, etc., but it is still compelling.
The birth order study talks about feminization, and feminity does not equate precisely to homosexuality.
Perhaps I'm being naive, but I took "feminization" to mean sexually feminized, i.e. being attracted to males, rather than having a feminine personality.
Any study of sexual orientation depends on the subject's willingness to identify his sexual orientation. Different social/cultural obligations placed on an older son may make him hesitant to identify as gay. And what of bisexuality?
I 100% agree. Any sexual orientation is immediately suspect given people's reluctance to be honest about their sexual attractions.
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