Rick Kinard

English 12: Sexuality & Society in Literature

Quarter 2 BM-Research Design

Plan of Action How-To

Thesis: The environment that one grows up in has an affect on one’s sexual orientation.

What thesis-related questions to study? 

•   

•  What is sexual orientation?

•  How is sexual orientation determined?

•  Can one change their sexual orientation? Why/why not?

•  Is homosexuality a mental disorder ?

•  Is homosexuality passed down through genetics 

•  What causes homosexuality?

What data might be relevant to collect? (link to sources in your AB in this section, if applicable)

•   

•  Statistic/survey linking child abuse and sexuality

•  Statistic/survey linking sexuality of parents and children

•  Statistic/survey linking homosexuality sexuality of identical twins

•  Research done on brain function of homosexuals

•  Research done on genetic of homosexuals compared to heterosexual 

•  Research done on the causes of sexual orientation

How would I analyze the results?

I believe the environment and lifestyle one lives has a impact on their sexual orientation. If the from the data about brain functions show that homosexuals and a health heterosexual are similar, it will rule of the possibility of homosexuality being considered mental illness. If the research on genetics and the statistic/survey linking sexuality of parents and children show it now genetic, I can rule out the argument of it being a disorder passed down for parent to child. If the statistic/survey of homosexuality sexuality and identical twins don’t seem to show any trends it cans also rule out the genetics argument because identical twins has very similar biological make ups.

Boeree, George. "General Psychology Sexual Orientation." Sexual Orientation. N/A, N/A. Web. 1 Nov 2011. <http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/sexualorientation.html>.

This article is about biology and genetic and how a people behaviors are based off of them. It states that men with less testosterone tend to look and act somewhat more like women, and women with more testosterone than other women tend to look and act somewhat more like men. It also go on to say there is no direct link from testosterone to homosexuality. The helps support my topic because even though the genetic the genetic structure of a person my have some effect on a person’s sexual behavior it isn’t the cause of homosexuality.

Goldstein, Dora. "Biological basis of sexual orientation." stanford.edu. Stanford University, 03/10/95. Web. 1 Nov 2011. <http://news.stanford.edu/pr/95/950310Arc5328.html>.

This article’s information is mainly on puberty. Is stated a week before and after birth, testosterone has an irreversible organizing effect on the body and brain of males. If the hormone is absent during this period, the individuals’ anatomy and behavior never can become wholly male. Also, that during puberty males gets a surge of testosterone, which activates their male sexual development and behavior. This gives some hints that testosterone levels affect sexual behavior. This source and be use to support both nature and nurture arguments.

Hidalgo, Hilda. "Sexual Orientation." healthy minds. american psychological association, N/A. Web. 1 Nov 2011. <http://www.healthyminds.org/More-Info-For/GayLesbianBisexuals.asp&xgt;.

This document give some basic information of what sexual orientation is. It also lists some cause that is believed to effect ones sexuality. It states homosexuality was believed to be the result of troubled experiences or environment, and it is not a form of mental illness .The information I receive for this document I can use to introduce my topic and give general information on sexual orientation and how ones environment is believe to effect it.

Johnson, Ryan. "Homosexuality: Nature or Nurture." AllPsych Online. N/A, 4/30/03. Web. 1 Nov 2011. <http://allpsych.com/journal/homosexuality.html>.

There are statics identical twins in this document. I can use this because identical twins have very similar biological structures. If the both of them are the same sexual orientation there is a chance that the biological build has a part to play in their sexual orientation. If the studies show that identical twins have the same sexual orientation this could prove my idea wrong

Jones, Michael. "Nature vs. Nurture Debates Over Sexuality." Change.org. N/A, 10/05/08. Web. 1 Nov 2011. <http://news.change.org/stories/nature-vs-nurture-debates-over-sexuality>.

This article suggests that both the nature and the nurture have valid evidence on what can affect a child’s sexual orientation. It says proven Research suggests that the homosexual orientation is in place very early in the life cycle, possibly even before birth. Its also that suggest that nurture could be a cause homosexuality. Some causes are estranged relationships between gay children and their parents, allowing male children to play with dolls, not forming healthy same-sex bonds with peers as a toddler, and sexual abuse at a young age. 

Swidey, Niel. "What Makes People Gay?." Boston.com. Boston Global, 08/14/05. Web. 1 Nov 2011. <http://www.boston.com/news/globe/magazine/articles/2005/08/14/what_makes_people_gay/>.

In this document there is information on childhood gender nonconformity. It is a child not being comfortable in his or her own body. In this one of a pair of twins is showing signs of childhood gender nonconformity. In this situation the mother is open minded and what’s her children to have freedom of expression and allow the behavior.  

Van Buskirk, James E. "Nature And Causes Of Homosexuality (Book)." Library Journal 106.21 (1981): 2321. Library, Information Science & Technology Abstracts. Web. 1 Nov. 2011.

These articles talk about one environment and sexuality. It says that a family of homosexuals it is more likely for a child to come out homosexual. It also states that some events and/or relationship with parents can influence a child's sexuality. This directly contributes to my idea that one environment influence ones sexuality.  

"sexual orientation and homosexuality." psychology.org. Australian psychological society, N/A. Web. 1 Nov 2011. <http://www.psychology.org.au/publications/tip_sheets/orientation/>.

This article rules out a popular belief that homosexuality is a choice. It states that ones sexual orientation is determined at a young age before there is any kind of sexual act. It shows how some were not comfortable with their homosexuality and tried to change it. In the end their homosexuality didn’t go away. I can use this to kill the argument that sexual orientation is choice when in the end leaves the arguments that it is either nurture or nature.

I.               Intro

a.     Sexual Orientation

                                               i.     What is Sexual Orientation

Source: http://allpsych.com/journal/homosexuality.html

                                              ii.      What is a Homosexual 

Source:http://www.boston.com/news/globe/magazine/articles/2005/08/14/what_makes_people_gay/.

                                            iii.     What is a heterosexual

source:http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/sexualorientation.html

b.    Thesis

The environment that one grows up in has an affect on one’s    sexual orientation.

Tie in: Sexual orientation is how one identifies themselves sexually. Homosexuality also known as gay is a sexual orientation in which one has a sexual and/or romantic attraction/behavior to members of the same sex or gender. Heterosexuality also known as straight is a sexual orientation in which one has a romantic and/or sexual attraction/behavior to members of the opposite sex or gender. This ties into my topic by giving information of what my thesis is about.

II.             Sexuality

a.     Puberty                                                                                                              source: http://www.healthyminds.org/Document-Library/Brochure-Library/Lets-Talk-Facts-Sexual-Orientation.aspx

b.    Gay or Strait Source:http://www.psychology.org.au/publications/tip_sheets/orientation/

c.     Signs at a youngage 

  source:http://www.boston.com/news/globe/magazine/articles/2005/08/14/what_makes_people_gay/  

d.    Coming out

Tie in: Puberty is the process in which a child's body begins to mature. In this process the body goes through physical changes which allows the body to go through sexual reproduction. After puberty from the acts of the child and others around them should be able to tell their sexual orientation. This ties into my topic by giving information on the identification of sexual orientation at a you age when it is usually determined. 

III.           Nurture vs. Illness

a.     Choice

b.    Source:http://news.change.org/stories/nature-vs-nurture-debates-over-sexuality

c.     Environment

                                              i.     Family                                                                                                   source: http://news.change.org/stories/nature-vs-nurture-debates-over-sexuality

                                            ii.     The Physical Abuse 

                                          iii.     Sexual Abuse

                                           iv.     Neglect

d.    Mental Disorder

Source: http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/sexualorientation.html

e.     Genetics

                           Source: http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/sexualorientation.html

Tie In: This section in about the causes of sexual orientation. It goes                                       through information of child abuse and neglect and its effect on the                                         child's growth. It also goes through statistics tying family's sexual                                           orientation to the outcome of a child's sexual orientation.  

IV.           Conclusion

“Creon’s ideas may go against the ethics of the society. It may even go against some of the bases in our religion. The simple fact it that Creon is king and has the right idea about how kingdom should be run.” – Rich Man

“Creon has taken it upon himself to go against the gods those who’s power and authority surpass his own. Showing such an act of dishonor to the gods will bring about their wrath on the city.” – Peasant

“Antigone took a stand by burying the body of Polynieces when everyone else fold under the Kings commands. Honestly in a day or two I myself was planning to go out a burry a few bodies. If no other took up the job, I feel I would as if it were my duty to.” – Anonymous

Todays New: A family divided

After the traitors of Thebes Polynieces and his allies were destroyed, Creon stepped into power. To bury and honor Etecoles, with full military rights and honors was half of his first command. The second was to leave his brother and his fallen comrades on the battlefield to rot. All the Thebian people were hesitant because of gods’ decree as to how the dead should be cared for but would surely support this decree. However, not all the people in Thebes accepted and carried out Creon’s order.

Soon after Creon mad his orders and will clear, the guards on watch at the gates of Thebes found the body of Polynieces with a thin layer of soil covering it. The culprit was at large. This enraged Creon so he threatening to charge the guard who made the discovery with treason. Eventually the truth came out, and with further under more investigating it was found that…

The sister of Polynices and Ismene, Antigone went one night with a child’s shovel and began to cover the body of Polynices with dirt and disobeyed King Creon.

Antigone tries to defend herself by explaining that it is her duty to bury him no matter what her relationship with him was. By burying him she will be allowing him into the underworld and therefore sending him home, to the dead. From the beginning Creon made it clear, anyone that who is caught trying to bury him will be sentenced to death. His plan was to make an example of whoever tried to bury Polynices, by killing them.  

Thebian Tells Weekly was told by the sister of Antigone Ismene, that Antigone told said that she would disagreed with Creon’s commands and she would bury her brother regardless of what Creon says or does to her.