Sexual orientation refers to your sexual attraction to other individuals. It describes how you feel inside regardless of external factors like looking, dressing, or behaving. If you don’t know your sexual orientation, it’s okay, and you’re not alone.
Can others tell me my sexual orientation?
The answer is No. Sexual orientation is not something you can choose or choose to change.Here are some of the most common types of sexual orientation:
Heterosexual (straight)-
It refers to a person who is mainly attracted to the “other” gender. For example- a female is drawn towards a male.
Gay, Lesbian, queer:
It refers to a person attracted exclusively to people of the same gender—for example, when a female is attracted to a female.
Bisexual –
It refers to an individual attracted to both men and women, but not necessarily or concurrently. For example- when a female is attracted towards both male and female.
Asexual-
The term describes someone who is not sexually attracted to any gender. It means asexual people choose not to have sexual relations with anybody or any gender.Many individuals gradually learn more about their sexual orientation. While growing up, some girls may find themselves more emotionally and sexually attracted to other females than men. Using gender stereotypes or opinions about someone else’s sexual orientation can harm children and hurt them. We should avoid generalizing any particular gender.
Adolescence Is a Transitional Period
During the adolescent years, the hormonal changes associated with puberty often increase sexual feelings. It is natural to be curious and sometimes concerned about new sexual sensations.Many individuals need time to come to terms with who they are and who they are becoming. This component involves a better awareness of one’s sexual feelings and the others to whom one is attracted.
How can individuals discover their sexual orientation?
Many individuals become aware of their orientation for the first time throughout their preteen and adolescent years. For example, it is typical for adolescents to have their first love emotions around early puberty when they develop a crush on someone at school.It is common to have a “crush” on someone the same gender as you throughout adolescence. Many teenagers may engage in sexual experimentation with someone of their gender. These early experiences do not guarantee that an adolescent will have the same gender preferences as an adult.
For some adolescents, feelings of attraction for a person of the same gender may not go away but instead intensified.
What Factors Contribute to Sexual Orientation?
Sexual orientation is determined by a complex interaction of environmental, emotional, hormonal, and biological variables. In other words, a variety of variables contribute to a person’s sexual orientation, and the causes may vary across individuals.
Sexual orientation is not created by how children were raised or by anything that happened to youngsters. Additionally, being gay or lesbian does not imply that an individual is abnormal in any manner, and the biases or misconceptions of others may burden them.Need to learn more about sex and sexuality? Enroll in our courses to learn about sexuality and know yourself biologically.