Literature

Introduction

The efforts of the American Psychological Association to urge psychologists to work towards the removal of the scourge of mental illness associated with homosexual and bisexual orientations dates back to 1975. Psychology is a discipline that concerns the mental wellbeing of people. It therefore assesses the elements that threaten this wellbeing. When people face discrimination and prejudice for being homosexual or bisexual, there is a strong psychological effect that has a negative influence on them. This paper discusses the issues of sexual identity and assesses its importance with respect to two articles, “Dark Water” and “From the ladies guide to true politeness and perfect manners”.

The term “Sexual orientation” represents an underlying pattern of romantic, emotional, sexual attraction that men and women have towards either the opposite or same sex. In addition, the term also refers to the sense of identity that a person has based on these attractions and all other behaviors that are related to it. Decades' worth of research has helped to clarify that sexual orientations range along a defined continuum and is described by an elusive attraction to either the same or opposite sex.

Sexual orientation is divided into three distinct categories. Heterosexuality describes the type of people who are sexually attracted to people of the opposite gender. Therefore, they may have a sexual, romantic and emotional attraction towards members of the opposite sex. On the other hand, homosexuality describes the type of people who are sexually attracted to people of the same gender. Hence, they may have a sexual, romantic and emotional attraction towards members of the same sex. The third type of sexual orientation is bisexuality. Bisexuality describes the type of people who are sexually attracted to people of both genders. Hence, they may have a sexual, romantic and emotional attraction towards members of both sexes.

The range of behaviors that define each of the three orientations described above have been discussed in several cultures across the globe. Cultures commonly use identity labels for the purpose of describing people who express these attractions. In the United States for example, three labels are most frequently used. These are gay men (men having an attraction towards other men), lesbians (women having an attraction towards other women), and bisexual person (a man or a woman who is attracted to both genders).

Sexual orientation is commonly discussed as if it were solely a characteristic of an individual, like biological sex, gender identity, or age. This perspective is incomplete because sexual orientation is defined in terms of relationships with others. People express their sexual orientation through behaviors with others, including such simple actions as holding hands or kissing. Thus, sexual orientation is closely tied to the intimate personal relationships that meet deeply felt needs for love, attachment, and intimacy.

In addition to sexual behaviors, these bonds include nonsexual physical affection between partners, shared goals and values, mutual support, and ongoing commitment. Therefore, sexual orientation is not merely a personal characteristic within an individual. Rather, one's sexual orientation defines the group of people in which one ...