In an era of freedom and tolerance, understanding and determining one's sexuality can quite be confusing. The reason? It's not merely a choice between "straight" or "gay." In fact, every person's sexuality is different, with some having attractions to only one sex while others have various preferences, regardless of sex or gender.
Most people, however, don't discover or realize their sexual attractions until the time they reach adulthood, leaving them confused. Thus, being young often gives people more time to explore and understand their strong feelings whether to men, to women or to both, Reach Out notes.
Americans Are More Open To Same-Sex Experiences
Based on a recent study published online in the journal Archives of Sexual Behavior, researchers found a doubled increase in same-sex sexual experience among Americans between the early '90s and the 2010s. According to Huffington Post, psychologists Jean Twenge, Ryne Sherman and Brooke Wells studied the General Social Survey (GSS) and found a dramatic increase with the acceptance of homosexuality as well as the eagerness for sexual experimentation.
"The acceptance of gays and lesbians has really been the civil rights issue of the last few decades," San Diego State University psychology professor and study coauthor Jean Twenge said, as per National Post. "It's been a social change that's happened relatively quickly."
Millennials More Accepting Of Bisexual Behavior
Florida Atlantic University's Charles E. Schmidt College of Science psychology assistant professor and study coauthor Ryne Sherman also added that the millennials are strikingly more open and accepting when it comes to same-sex or bisexual behavior. However, more adults also showed the same change in their attitudes.
Movement Toward More Sexual Freedom
Aside from the dramatic increase in the number of Americans who had same-sex experiences, the shift in the percentages also showed a move toward more sexual freedom. In fact, more people have the liberty to express and do what they want without abiding the conventional, old-fashioned social norms on sexuality, noting the traditional rules and perspective on same-sex behavior have vanished.
Twenge also stressed the study clearly suggested that sexuality has become more free and open, making Americans feel bolder when expressing themselves sexually. In addition, the study also highlighted four positive aspects - equality, tolerance, more freedom and sexual behavior acceptance, Time reports.
Individualism: The Driving Force Toward Sexual Behavior Acceptance
Due to the major changes in American's perspective towards sexuality, Sherman pointed out the significance of individualism in the key findings of the study. Sherman said the society has seen a trend away from the restrictive cultural standards since everybody has "become more individualistic," Daily Beast learns.
Meanwhile, whether you're straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual or asexual, people should not feel pressured to label themselves today or ever. Remember, each and every one of us are unique hence, respecting as well as being positive and open towards a person's sexuality or sexual relationships can make a huge different in the society.
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