Homosexuality: Its Nature and Causes
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The subject of homosexuality, and especially male homosexuality, has received a great deal of publicity in England and America. The furor began with Kinsey's famous reports on sexual behavior, which brought out the fact that a far higher proportion of the population than was commonly supposed deviated from accepted standards of normality and morality. Taking courage from the apparent safety of large numbers, the sexually unorthodox and their sympathizers began to challenge the criteria of normality, and to question whether sexual habits that were widespread and so deeply entrenched could justifiably be written off as immoral. D.J. West's Homosexuality dissects the myths and paranoia surrounding this topic by examining the nature and roots of homosexuality.The politico-legal controversy has tended to overshadow the more fundamental psychological questions concerning the nature and causes of homosexuality. In this field, no striking discoveries have resulted from the increased public interest. Nevertheless, a body of factual data has accumulated, and a number of theories are available. The author's main purpose is to summarize as clearly as possible what is known, to draw what practical conclusions may be possible, and to point out where we are still groping and ignorant.This book deals mainly with male homosexuality because in men the condition causes more clear cut social problems and has been studied more intensely by psychiatrists. Unfortunately, though strongly held opinions abound, hard facts about homosexuality and its possible causes are difficult to obtain. Even now, serious medical and sociological investigations in this subject are scandalously few considering the importance of the questions in human terms. Until a large section of the public is prepared to face the facts squarely and rationally and to support adequate research, our knowledge will remain rudimentary.
IntroductionDefinitions 9A Theoretical Approach 15Homosexuality in Various CommunitiesPrimitive Peoples 17Historical Times 21Animal Behaviour 29The Incidence of Homosexuality Today 33Homosexual TypesPhysical Features 44Identifying Psychological Characteristics 48Reactions to Being a Homosexual 53Masculine-Feminine: Active-Passive 59Trans-Sexualism and 'Change of Sex' 62Lesbian Types 65Some Legal ProblemsThe Letter of the Law 72Enforcing the Law 84Civil Disabilities 91Ethical and Religious Issues 96Some Social ProblemsIntolerance and its Effects 102Homosexual Society 107Child Molestation 114Seduction of Youths 120Imprisonment and its Effects 124Male Prostitution 132Venereal Diseases 138Two Typical Cases 141Glands and HeredityThe Physical Basis of Sex 151Sex Performance, Desire and Preference 153The Hormonal Contribution toLust and Deviance 155A Biological Anomaly? 160An Inherited Factor 166The Psycho-Analytic Approach: An Introduction 172Some Psychological FactorsSearching for Explanations 187Parental Behaviour 188Development of Sex Roles 196More Psychological Interpretations 201Explanations of Lesbianism 207Bisexuality 214The Odd, The Mad and The ViolentCovert, Latent and Repressed Homosexuals 216Homosexuality and Paranoid Schizophrenia 219Sexual Violence 223Treatment for The IndividualProspects of Cure 230Deciding the Aims of Treatment 237Techniques of Treatment 247Behaviour Therapy 256ConclusionsCauses 261Prevention by Tolerance? 266References 274Index 302
