According to one group of influential scientists in the early 19^th and 20^th century, sex was just another fact of nature. These scientists, known collectively as sexologists, opened the door for sex to become part of the mainstream social culture. Their aim was a scientific approach to sexuality to discover the laws governing the practice. The first key idea of sexology is that sexuality is an inborn human trait; people are essentially born with a genetic predisposition for sexuality. Thus, sexology emphasizes the physiological and biological aspects of sex and sexuality. Second, our drive for sex is no less of a need than our need to eat, sleep and drink; by nature, humans are sexual beings, it is at the core of who we are. Third, sexuality determines many of the actions we make in our everyday lives. Fourth, heterosexuality is the normal state for human beings. People are fundamentally and naturally attracted to the opposite gender. Many sexologists still thought that way, even in light of the discovery of widespread homosexual behavior. Eventually, some sexologists came to view homosexuality as an inversion of sexuality; “homosexuals have the body of one sex and the ‘soul’ of another” (Seidman, pg. 6). So, it is actually natural and homosexual behavior should not be punished.

Another mind of the early 20^th century was keenly interested in discovering the secrets of sexuality in a scientific manner. Sigmund Freud’s conception was eventually called psychoanalysis. While Freud agreed that sexual expression was biological, he diverged with sexologists on the purpose of sex. Freud viewed sexual instinct as a need for pleasure, not only as a need for reproduction. Thus, feeling, kissing and other activities are just as pleasurable as the act of sex itself. Freud would appear to advocate for the ultimate development of a heterosexual identity indicating that it is natural. His Oedipus and Electra complexes both point the development of a heterosexual identity as the natural and final resolution of an arduous conflict.

I believe our society today still holds onto many of the beliefs and conclusions of these two highly influential groups on sexuality. Perhaps one of the most politically and personally charged issue of today is that of gay marriage and the legitimacy of a homosexual identity. Though the mainstream critics claim that allowing homosexuals to marry would create gender confusion, weaken the institution of marriage and other things, I propose that the the general public would not seem to have the exact same views. Comments I have heard about homosexuality is that it is unnatural and people should be naturally attracted to people of the opposite gender. This view comes directly from the mainstream view of sexology; heterosexuality is the normal and natural state of sexual expression. Often, this is a put forward as a reason why gay marriage should not be allowed. Homosexuals are acting “gay” because they want to be deviant from society.

Sometimes, I hear hints of Freudian thought stated in reasons why people find homosexuality to be wrong and unnatural. Freud seems to have view homosexuality as an improper resolution of the Oedipus or Electra Complexes. Homosexuals are not sexually mature individuals because they did not develop a heterosexual identity. They did not resolve the conflict in the traditional manner. Thus, these individuals have some sort of psychological issue and it is a “mental problem.” Another explanation is that they tried it once, became fixated on it for pure pleasure, never stopped wanting it and have essentially replaced heterosexual intercourse with homosexual acts. Again, it is a mental issue. During high school and even some at college, I have heard these two excuses for why people view homosexuality as an unnatural act or even as a choice. In the rhetoric for the critics of gay marriage, I have heard these same reasons stated. These theories from nearly a century ago still pervade the thought of our current time. Essentially, our society still likes to think in terms of Freud and sexology because it gives them a reason to think of homosexuality as unnatural and heterosexuality as natural because these great fixtures history thought it as well.