The 'youngest brother' theory?


I certainly agree with the theory that homosexuality has to do with genetics, and I also agree with Kinsey's theory that few people are 100% heterosexual or 100% homosexual; I myself am gay and had a wonderful relationship with a woman for three years. I have to admit that, if compelled too, I would have sex with a woman if she was the right woman, while many gay men would be repulsed by the thought.

OK, but I'm going off the point. This whole theory about a male fetus being attached by antibodies seems a bit far-fetched, because (1) it doesn't account for homosexual females and (2) I simple don't know any gay men that are the youngest boy in their family, and I know a LOT of gay men.

Any opinions on this one?

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Indeed, I thought this was the weakest arguement in the film.

Maybe it was because they equate (if I recall correctly) feminity to homosexuality. That the feminine antibodies somehow create homosexuality. They even depict the child in the stomache with woman features (long eyelashes rosie pink cheeks). Maybe it was to be humorous as it was an animated part of the film.

Too long has the public consciouness created a connection with femininity with being gay. It creates the terrible stereotype that all gay males wear pink shirts, own poodles, have long hair, etc.

For goddsake look at Rock Hudson. It only reinforces "the other" for gay males.

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[deleted]

Corellation is not causation. It's just part of a theory.

I'm the oldest of three boys and the only gay one.

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I simple don't know any gay men that are the youngest boy in their family, and I know a LOT of gay men.


Wow, then I guess I'm the exact opposite. I'm the youngest male in my family (three older brothers), and I'm friends with a LOT of gay guys who are the youngest male in their family. So, yeah, I believe in the theory (it's called the Fraternal Birth Order, by the way), so...that's interesting.

Of course, I blame it all on Saturday morning cartoons. ;)

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"This whole theory about a male fetus being attached by antibodies seems a bit far-fetched, because (1) it doesn't account for homosexual females and (2) I simple don't know any gay men that are the youngest boy in their family, and I know a LOT of gay men."

They clearly stated the research had been done on men only and even pointed it out as a weakness (with the comment to the animated lesbian), but it was all they had as far as research goes. And I don't recall them stating that this statistical theory explained all gay men. It merely stated that the more males a mother had the statistical chance went up with each male born. It's not saying the first born can't be gay and the youngest of 10 will be gay. Statistical chances aren't absolutes and I don't think it was saying they were.

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Well, it's a theory that doesn't try to present itself as the sole explanation for homosexuality, but rather point out one factor that may contribute to homosexuality in some cases.

Lesbians weren't mentioned but actually, it was found that having more older brothers raises the likelihood of homosexuality in women as in men. But that doesn't account for all lesbians out there either and it also means that whatever older brothers change in the womb's substance balance that increases the likelihood for homosexuality in younger siblings, it's probably not an "effaminizing" effect.

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I actually think the fetus hormones can apply to female homosexuals, as well. My friend is a lesbian, and right before her mother was pregnant with her, she had a miscarriage who was going to be a boy. I believe that plays into her homosexuality, having all those leftover male hormones from the first fetus while she was developing. It's just a theory.

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I agree, it seems like a pretty weak theory. My partner and I are both the eldest of three males in our families.

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Seriously though, wouldn't the statistical chance of having a gay kid naturally go up with every birth anyway, just because you're having more kids?

Ooo, baby, your domestic gross is SO BIG. That's how I know how GOOD you are!

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[deleted]

If that theory were true, it would just lead to the question, "Why do so many women not get pregnant again after the gay boy comes out?" (Obviously, they wouldn't know yet that he's gay, so it's not something they'd consciously do.)

I think trying to pinpoint just one cause of homosexuality at birth is a futile effort. With 6 billion people on earth, the possible origins must be infinite (even assuming the most conservative estimated percentage of earthlings to be gay).


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