Bisexuality: Does it really exist or is it just another Western influence?
e?
There are quite a few men and women (even married ones) who consider themselves heterosexual but sometimes fantasize about same-sex sex. And sometimes there are those who have sexual relations with members of the same sex. On the other hand, there are gays and lesbians with heterosexual experiences. Does bisexuality exist in itself or is it just an illusion? Let”s try to understand this.
Contents of the article:
For many scientists, this concept is controversial. There are prominent scientists who claim that bisexuality doesn”t exist. People are either heterosexual, homosexual, or simply lying. Others believe that bisexuality is primarily driven by a desire to experiment in bed. This is typical among young people, and this phenomenon is one of the steps toward their “true” sexuality.
But research shows that bisexuality is very real. And it”s not a passing fantasy, but a completely normal orientation that people hold throughout their lives. Just as homosexuality is considered abnormal in many societies, some heterosexuals and homosexuals consider bisexuality abnormal. And this is also a misconception.
Opinion of Alfred Kinsey, a sexologist
The phenomenon of bisexuality was first reported in the 19th century. Numerous studies were conducted in the 1950s. Researcher Alfred Kinsey of Indiana University (USA) was particularly interested in this issue. Subsequently, scientists advocated a “sexual continuum.”
Kinsey”s extensive research showed that most people are either heterosexual or homosexual. At the same time, some people may be bisexual to varying degrees. Incidentally, Kinsey himself was bisexual. Despite his marriage and predominantly heterosexual orientation, he expressed a strong interest in his own sex.
What did bisexuality”s opponents believe?
However, as soon as researchers began studying bisexuality, opposing views soon emerged. The opposition claimed that:
- Bisexuals are deliberately experimenting heterosexuals.
- Bisexuals are people who have no one else to have sex with (inhabitants of prisons, monasteries, etc.).
- Essentially, bisexuals are homosexuals who do not want to suffer because of society”s neglect of their personal lives. Therefore, they are forced to pretend that they are attracted to the opposite sex.
Read also: A few words about bisexuality: let’s clarify this concept
Bisexuality is still widely understood as a sexual orientation. However, there are still many myths surrounding it. Let”s take a look.
And as bisexuality has become more interesting to society and appeared in the media, some homosexuals have begun to discuss its existence even more. They called it a “betrayal” of their nature for the sake of society.
But eventually the truth came out. Since 1981, heterosexual men infected with AIDS have become more and more common. It soon became clear that the reason for this was periodic and sometimes regular sexual experiences.
Research by opponents
However, this still did not convince opponents of the bisexual theory. In a 2005 publication, American scientists stated that it does not exist. They showed pornographic videos of different content to subjects with different orientations. 30% of respondents identified themselves as heterosexual, 38% as homosexual, and 33% as bisexual.
Are bisexuals a myth? 5 myths about bisexuality
It was found that heterosexual subjects were aroused only by corresponding erotic videos. Homosexuals — only stories involving homosexuals. Among bisexual men, three-quarters were aroused by gay pornography and one-quarter by classic straight pornography. And another quarter consisted of sexual “icicles.” None of the videos were mentioned. Scientists have come to the conclusion: people can be homo-, hetero-, or simply liars.
Scientific arguments in favor of bisexuality
However, in a survey conducted by Kinsey, about 4% of women and 10% of men reported having sex with both men and women. At the same time, however, only 2% of women and 5% of men said they were truly bisexual.
Another study conducted in the mid-1970s found that approximately 15% of men and 10% of women had sex with both sexes during their youth. At the same time, however, it turned out that not many people maintain this orientation for long. Only 3% are women and 5% are men. By comparison, in adulthood, between 5% and 10% of the population identify as homosexual.
It is therefore not surprising that bisexuality is much more common among young people than among older people. Another interesting fact was also revealed. Contrary to popular belief, bisexual people do not have relationships with more than one partner (themselves and a partner of the opposite sex) at the same time. As a rule, they stay with one person for a long time.
If homophobia is becoming increasingly unacceptable in large countries, “biphobia” is still alive and well. Many people cannot accept the fact that a person can be attracted to both sexes. Such people are always considered “traitors”. However, perhaps it is time for society to change its mind about bisexuality and its symptoms.
