In our society, heterosexual orientation is considered normal, when a person's emotional and sexual attraction is directed towards persons of the opposite sex. Therefore, a person with a non-traditional orientation is faced with a misunderstanding and condemnation of society and loved ones. Can gay sexuality be changed to heterosexual?
Instructions
Step 1
The question of whether it is possible to change sexual orientation at all is very, very controversial. It cannot be argued that a person cannot change sexual orientation, but it is also wrong to think that anyone can do it. The possibility or impossibility to change orientation depends on many factors: the reasons for the emergence of orientation, the type of non-traditional orientation (bi- or homosexuality), the desire or unwillingness of the person himself to change his orientation. And here it should be noted that a person's desire alone to change his orientation is far from enough.
For example, many women are annoyed that their husbands look not only at them, but also at other women. And if the wife reproaches her husband for this, he will answer: "I have nothing to do with it, this is masculine nature, and I cannot do anything with it." Or he can pretend in her presence that he does not look at other women - but nothing more. So, this is what is called "nature", or attraction.
Step 2
When talking about sexual and emotional attraction, it is usually divided into natural and unnatural. Also, orientation can be divided into traditional ("normal") and non-traditional. However, not everything is as simple as it seems at first glance. For example, what orientation can bisexuality be classified as traditional or non-traditional? Thus, the founder of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud, argued that all people are born with innate bisexuality. And only in the process of development does a person become monosexual.
We can say that a person with a bisexual orientation is "lucky" more than a homosexual one. After all, he has the opportunity to enter into a relationship with a partner of the opposite sex, and at the same time not go against his nature. Although this will not mean that bisexual orientation will change to heterosexual. This will mean giving preference to a relationship with a partner of the opposite sex.
Step 3
Before trying to change homosexual orientation, you need to understand the reasons for its occurrence: genetic predisposition, upbringing, psychological trauma, or even all taken together. In the case of acquired homosexuality, unconventional orientation can be a consequence of being raised as a child of the opposite sex, long-term presence of the child in the environment of people of the opposite sex, various psychological trauma and other factors. In the case of congenital homosexuality, the child may feel like a person of the opposite sex, and according to the results of some studies, often in the blood of such children there is an increased content of hormones of the opposite sex. By the way, science cannot yet provide an accurate explanation of the cause of the occurrence of congenital homosexuality. And most psychotherapists and sexologists argue that it is impossible to cure congenital homosexuality. If, of course, we consider non-traditional sexuality to be a disease, and not an individual feature of a person.
Step 4
Indeed, there are cases of change in sexual orientation with the help of psychotherapy. True, there is still no unambiguous opinion about the change in orientation with the help of psychotherapy. In any case, opponents of conversion (reparative) therapy consider it very dubious and even dangerous for the psyche. In fact, these are methods of reprogramming the human brain, and how ethical it is is a very controversial issue. Considering that in the past, techniques such as electroconvulsive therapy (electroshock) and aversive therapy have been used in reparative therapy techniques, which used the induction of nausea and vomiting with medication while demonstrating homoerotic materials to the patient.
Step 5
In general, opinions about changes in sexual orientation depend mainly on the attitude towards it. Some time ago, homosexuality was considered a disease that psychiatrists should treat. In our time, non-traditional sexuality is no longer considered a mental disorder. Conversion therapy advocates see it as a psychological disorder that (again) needs to be corrected, and for many religious people a sin that needs to be fought. Not to mention homophobes, in which fear of otherness speaks. At the same time, many psychotherapists, sexologists and scientists consider homosexuality to be nothing more than one of the directions of sexuality. Therefore, the gay affirmative approach, aimed at accepting one's sexuality, gaining inner balance and harmony, is receiving increasing support. "Remember: no matter what your sexual orientation, the main thing is that it suits you" (Louise Hay).
