Today, there are fewer and fewer questions when a man chooses a man and a woman chooses a woman–we are educating ourselves to be tolerant of homosexual orientation. But what about those who seek love among members of both sexes?
We call this psychological phenomenon the term “bisexuality,” which combines bisexual orientation, identification and behavioral traits. How bisexuality develops and manifests itself, whether bisexuals are discriminated against, whether bi-love is so safe: in the article we will consider the opinion of psychologists about the factors that influence the definition of sexual orientation.
Bisexual orientation is one of several recognized sexual orientations, denoting emotional, romantic, sensual and/or sexual attraction to persons of one’s own or the opposite sex. Either type of attraction can manifest equally, simultaneously.
The American sociologist Alfred Kinsey created his own scale of sexuality (Kinsey scale), in which bi orientation serves as one of the subscales.
Due to the fact that this term has acquired multiple meanings in the scientific literature, narrower, more qualifying terms are commonly used, such as “bisexual orientation” or “bisexual behavior,” etc.
How does bisexuality in men develop and manifest itself?
Who are bisexual men, what is the psychology of a bisexual man: it depends on the degree of attraction, the need for intimacy. Some people care about superficial contact, while others are set up for a long, fulfilling relationship. The Kinsey scale can provide insight into a man’s sexuality: by analyzing the personality, one can see that few men can classify themselves as “strict” homo- or heterosexual.
A man can live a normal, heterosexual life and not even think about the fact that there might be something different in his life. Sometimes the realization of orientation comes at a mature age, when self-identity is fully formed and all basic needs have already been identified. Sometimes it can be imposed by society, by upbringing, manifested as a protest.
What Psychologists Say
According to sexopathologist Edward Livinsky, bisexuality develops under the influence of the following factors.
Hormones and mental structure
Bisexuals have manifestations of sexuality in the male and female types. Bisexuality may begin to manifest in adolescence, when sex hormones begin to be produced and sexual function matures. As it manifests, sexuality takes as its basis an already formed psyche structure, and if the psyche is immature, the focus on the sexual object will be ambiguous.
Hormones must also be taken into consideration. For instance, most men have about 6% of female hormones, and every woman has the same 6% of male hormones.
The formation of concepts and habits in a child
Observing the children, you can notice that boys and girls are friends according to gender. Among children of the same age, they form their own notions of sexuality oriented to the norms of society. Accordingly, if it is accepted by society to engage in homosexual relations, then for teenagers it will denote the norm.
Environment and fashion
Sexual orientation depends directly on what norms are accepted in society. For example, the ancient Greeks had no specific preferences, the main thing for them was – passion, and for whom the passion was felt, it was not given much importance.
Nowadays, public morality dictates that heterosexual relationships are “correct. But now in some circles, for example in the artistic community, bisexuality is gradually becoming normal.
Parenting
If young parents were expecting a boy, and a girl was born, then there is a chance that she will be raised as a boy, to cultivate masculinity in her. Distorted behavior, reinforced by a surge of male hormones, will cause a girl’s sexuality to take on masculine characteristics.
A boy who is brought up among women, even with normal development of sexual characteristics, will be characterized by a feminine style of behavior – passive, submissive.
How to know if you are bisexual
Bisexuality is thought to manifest itself depending on who you sleep with. This is not entirely true.
The first and foremost sign of bisexuality may be a sexual interest in a member of one’s own sex, and they are not always distinguishable from any other. For example, a young man may admire his friend. Falling in love in its early stages can easily be confused with sexual attraction. Especially if you are prompted to pay attention to your attraction.
Sometimes teenagers have an attraction to both sexes, and as they get older, they reconsider their preferences. It is also possible to understand bisexuality from personal experience closer to the age of 40. Some deliberately give up their natural needs under the pressure of beliefs, stereotypes, and circumstances.
Biphobia: Why Bisexual People Are Often Discriminated Against
Bi-curious people are open to experimentation, often of a sexual nature. The “pitfall” of bi-curiousness is biphobia. It is quite common and involves discrimination against bisexual people by both heterosexual and homosexual people.
And there is an explanation for this: people who have discovered a different sexual orientation consider bi-curious people to be someone from the category of undecideds. The most typical manifestations of biphobia are expressions such as “make up your mind already,” “it’s cool with both of them,” “you cannot expect fidelity from bi,” and “that’s okay, you’ll outgrow it.
Among the most common stereotypes is that bi-curiousness often requires proof of sexual identity.
In reality, no one has to prove it to anyone – only you decide how to define yourself, and it should not be decided by those around you.
Famous bisexual men
Let’s take a look at the top 8 popular bisexual men.
Giorgio Armani – fashion designer, entrepreneur.
Brian Molko – vocalist, guitarist.
Tom Hardy – actor, screenwriter, producer.
Duncan James – singer, actor.
David Bowie – singer, producer, record producer, actor, artist.
Mika – singer.
Marlon Brando – film and television actor, political activist, and film director.
James Dean – actor.
How do I test myself for bisexuality?
To determine if you are bisexual, answer a few questions for yourself:
- Have you ever felt sexually attracted to someone of your gender?
- Are you aroused by stories, stories, or encounters with couples who are in homosexual contact with each other?
- Have you ever imagined having a loving relationship with someone of your gender?
- Can you say that you identify with members of the opposite sex?
- Can you say that you are tolerant of a person’s choices in terms of sexual orientation?
The more times you answered yes, the more bisexual traits you have.