Sex Differences in the Flexibility of Sexual Orientation: A Multidimensional Retrospective Assessment

Abstract

The flexibility of sexual orientation in men and women was examined by assessing self-reported change over time for three dimensions of sexual orientation (sexual fantasy, romantic attraction, and sexual behavior) across three categorical classifications of current sexual orientation (heterosexual, bisexual, and gay). The primary purpose of the study was to determine if there were sex differences in the flexibility (i.e., change over time) of sexual orientation and how such differences were manifested across different dimensions of orientation over the lifespan. Retrospective, life-long ratings of sexual orientation were made by 762 currently self-identified heterosexual, bisexual, and gay men and women, aged 36 to 60, via a self-report questionnaire. Cumulative change scores were derived for each of the three dimensions (fantasy, romantic attraction, and sexual behavior) of orientation by summing the differences between ratings over consecutive 5-year historical time periods (from age 16 to the present). Sex differences were observed for most, but not all, classification groups. There were significant sex differences in reported change in orientation over time for gays and heterosexuals, with women reporting greater change in orientation over time than did men. Bisexual men and women did not differ with respect to self-reported change in orientation.

Social perception of bisexuality

“…These variables are assessed in the past, present, and ideal future. At the present time, there are several scholars who make an effort to think and write about sexuality as a continuous or flexible identity (Baumeister, 2000;Ellis, Burke, & Ames, 1987;Kinnish, Strassberg, & Turner, 2005;Klein, 1993;Schuster, 1987;Zinick, 1985).…”

“…One way is to look at sexual flexibility as sexual desire, behavior, and/or sexual orientation that changes in an individual over the years (Diamond, 2000;Kinnish, Strassberg, & Turner, 2005). Another way is to think of individuals who are bisexual as inherently more flexible than individuals who are monosexual (Baumeister, 2000;Zinick, 1985).…”

“…Both researchers' statements support the idea that in order to experience some amount of heterosexual and homosexual desire, one must embody more flexibility in her or his sexual identity than people with monosexual identities. It is also widely reported that women are much more likely to have greater levels of sexual flexibility than are men (Baumeister, 2000;Diamond, 2008;Kinnish, et al, 2005).…”

L’association des dimensions de l’orientation sexuelle, du harcèlement et du suicide : quelles minorités sexuelles sont les plus à risque ?

“…La documentation scientifique indique cependant que l'instabilité de l'orientation sexuelle est très répandue chez les populations adultes et adolescentes (SavinWilliams et Ream, 2007). Une étude rétrospective de 40 ans a révélé que l'identité et le comportement de nombreuses personnes de minorité sexuelle changeaient au cours de leur vie, alors que l'attirance romantique était relativement plus stable (Kinnish, Strassberg et Turner, 2005). Par conséquent, la stabilité des catégories d'orientation sexuelle de notre étude est probablement faible au fil du temps, mais ces catégories reflètent la situation actuelle ainsi que les défis et les séquelles qu'elles soulèvent.…”

Flutuações e diferenças de género no desenvolvimento da orientação sexual: Perspectivas teóricas

“…Ainda se acrescenta que as mulheres que se identificavam como outra categoria de orientação sexual, na sua maioria, eram previamente heterossexuais, enquanto que os homens se moviam da bissexualidade. Note-se que os autores esperavam encontrar diferenças significativas nos homens e mulheres bissexuais, o que não aconteceu, confirmando portanto, em certa medida, as afirmações de que a bissexualidade como fenómeno biológico e social é diferente quer da heterossexualidade quer da homossexualidade (Blumstein & Schwartz, 1976;Klein, 1978;Rust, 2001; cit in Kinnish et al, 2005). Em conclusão, houve concordância nos resultados das proporções de sujeitos com comportamentos homossexuais, na idade média de primeira consciência e da primeira revelação; mas houve menos concordância nos resultados, nas idades médias das primeiras actividades sexuais com o mesmo sexo e na auto-categorização.…”