A few ideas I've recently considered on the subject:
(1) Homosexuality is a natural variant that's been occurring in animals for a long time and may be an inevitable byproduct of sexual reproduction.
To consider: A male develops a successful survival and reproductive strategy for his environment, for a male. A female does the same, for a female. Offspring of the two may be both male and female, who in turn may have both male and female offspring. For strategies to have the best chance genetically, they must be passed to both sexes and be genetically available to both sexes, with expression dependent on a triggering mechanism.
But consider that male/female "trait sets" may encompass not only things such as body build, and body type and pheromone recognition, but patterns of social interaction, behavior, temperament, mental characteristics. It may help to remember that for many species, males and females are quite different in terms of these things. NOW consider that it might be in the best interest of species to have sex-linked traits at least *potentially* available to both sexes, as this might enable the continuation of the genetic line if environmental change means the species must change. The linking mechanism to "male" and "female" may be deliberately loose. The looseness/tightness of the link may itself be a genetic trait that deliberately varies in order to both preserve a population that works well for an environment while also preserving the ability to adapt to a new one.
(2) Humans' survival set does not involve big claws, etc. It lies partly with our ability to form social bonds, and partly with our intelligence. But our ability to adapt to changes in environment is our "killer app". We have adapted to an incredible number of environments we must do so at an increasing rate. Sexual variation increases our ability to adapt by allowing us the flexibility to change our social bonds.
(3) In view of (1) and (2) sexual variation for humans may have deeper implications than for other animals, not just for general adaptability but also for creativity and intelligence.
(4) Homosexuality in animal groups with close biological ties and tight food supplies benefits the group as adults who don't themselves reproduce but who will feed youngsters they're related to increases the chances of those youngsters surviving to reproduce.
(5) Antipathy toward homosexuality has its forgotten roots in the development of a structured society that saw children as wealth (workers, soldiers, social security) and assigned "ownership" of children and wealth according to strict rules. (As opposed to 3 above.) Sex that produced children within the rules was encouraged (including early marriage of women, polygamy) while sex that did not produce children was discouraged. Social rules were enforced by invoking the most powerful force anyone could conceive of -- "God says or bad things will happen!", as opposed simply saying, "Our leader will kick your butt." It boggles my mind that we have such trouble getting over that. We all know manipulative people -- HELLO!! YOU WERE BEING MANIPULATED!!!!!
OK, sorry this turned into an essay paper. Too bad I can't turn it in for a grade. Good luck!
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(1) Homosexuality is a natural variant that's been occurring in animals for a long time and may be an inevitable byproduct of sexual reproduction.
To consider: A male develops a successful survival and reproductive strategy for his environment, for a male. A female does the same, for a female. Offspring of the two may be both male and female, who in turn may have both male and female offspring. For strategies to have the best chance genetically, they must be passed to both sexes and be genetically available to both sexes, with expression dependent on a triggering mechanism.
But consider that male/female "trait sets" may encompass not only things such as body build, and body type and pheromone recognition, but patterns of social interaction, behavior, temperament, mental characteristics. It may help to remember that for many species, males and females are quite different in terms of these things. NOW consider that it might be in the best interest of species to have sex-linked traits at least *potentially* available to both sexes, as this might enable the continuation of the genetic line if environmental change means the species must change. The linking mechanism to "male" and "female" may be deliberately loose. The looseness/tightness of the link may itself be a genetic trait that deliberately varies in order to both preserve a population that works well for an environment while also preserving the ability to adapt to a new one.
(2) Humans' survival set does not involve big claws, etc. It lies partly with our ability to form social bonds, and partly with our intelligence. But our ability to adapt to changes in environment is our "killer app". We have adapted to an incredible number of environments we must do so at an increasing rate. Sexual variation increases our ability to adapt by allowing us the flexibility to change our social bonds.
(3) In view of (1) and (2) sexual variation for humans may have deeper implications than for other animals, not just for general adaptability but also for creativity and intelligence.
(4) Homosexuality in animal groups with close biological ties and tight food supplies benefits the group as adults who don't themselves reproduce but who will feed youngsters they're related to increases the chances of those youngsters surviving to reproduce.
(5) Antipathy toward homosexuality has its forgotten roots in the development of a structured society that saw children as wealth (workers, soldiers, social security) and assigned "ownership" of children and wealth according to strict rules. (As opposed to 3 above.) Sex that produced children within the rules was encouraged (including early marriage of women, polygamy) while sex that did not produce children was discouraged. Social rules were enforced by invoking the most powerful force anyone could conceive of -- "God says or bad things will happen!", as opposed simply saying, "Our leader will kick your butt." It boggles my mind that we have such trouble getting over that. We all know manipulative people -- HELLO!! YOU WERE BEING MANIPULATED!!!!!
OK, sorry this turned into an essay paper. Too bad I can't turn it in for a grade. Good luck!