A recent study and survey, linking childhood abuse and homosexuality, have the medical community – and gay activists – in an uproar.
Researchers from the University of Otago found that homosexual identity and tendencies are linked to a higher likelihood of negative childhood experiences.
However, psychologist Dr. Bill Maier said it’s important to understand that the research is correlation, not causation.
“The research doesn’t tell us if sexual abuse contributes to homosexual orientation or if a child, who displays a-typical gender behavior, is more likely to be abused,” Maier said.
Maier notes that less than one percent of the 13,000 people surveyed identified themselves as homosexuals, while nearly two percent reported they had been in a same-sex relationship.
He also said while some who identify as homosexual experienced abuse during childhood, the issue is complicated.
“It’s likely due to a variety of social, biological, cultural, environmental factors – all interacting together,” he said.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Read the University of Otago’s press statement on the research.
Read CitizenLink’s “Childhood Sexual Abuse and Male Homosexuality”
Read CitizenLink’s “What Does the Research Show About Homosexuality”
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