Heterosexuality

Heterosexuality is romantic attraction, sexual attraction or sexual behavior between persons of the opposite sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, heterosexuality is 'an enduring pattern of emotional, romantic, and/or sexual attractions' to persons of the opposite sex; it 'also refers to a person's sense of identity based on those attractions, related behaviors, and membership in a community of others who share those attractions.' Someone who is heterosexual is commonly referred to as straight. Along with bisexuality and homosexuality, heterosexuality is one of the three main categories of sexual orientation within the heterosexual–homosexual continuum. Across cultures, most people are heterosexual. Scientists do not know the exact cause of sexual orientation, but they theorize that it is caused by a complex interplay of genetic, hormonal, and environmental influences, and do not view it as a choice. Although no single theory on the cause of sexual orientation has yet gained widespread support, scientists favor biologically-based theories. There is considerably more evidence supporting nonsocial, biological causes of sexual orientation than social ones, especially for males. The term heterosexual or heterosexuality is usually applied to humans, but heterosexual behavior is observed in all mammals and in other animals, as it is necessary for sexual reproduction. Hetero- comes from the Greek word ἕτερος , meaning 'other party' or 'another', used in science as a prefix meaning 'different'; and the Latin word for sex (that is, characteristic sex or sexual differentiation). The term 'heterosexual' was first published in 1892 in C.G. Chaddock's translation of Krafft-Ebing's 'Psychopathia Sexualis'. The noun came into use from the early 1920s, but did not enter common use until the 1960s. The colloquial shortening 'hetero' is attested from 1933. The abstract noun 'heterosexuality' is first recorded in 1900. The word 'heterosexual' was first listed in Merriam-Webster's New International Dictionary as a medical term for 'morbid sexual passion for one of the opposite sex'; however, in 1934 in their Second Edition Unabridged it is defined as a 'manifestation of sexual passion for one of the opposite sex; normal sexuality'.The adjective heterosexual is used for intimate relationships or sexual relations between male and female. The current use of the term heterosexual has its roots in the broader 19th century tradition of personality taxonomy. It continues to influence the development of the modern concept of sexual orientation, and can be used to describe individuals' sexual orientation, sexual history, or self-identification. The term heterosexual is suggested to have come into use as a neologism after, and opposite to, the word homosexual by Karl Maria Kertbeny in 1868. In LGBT slang, the term breeder has been used as a denigrating phrase to deride heterosexuals. Hyponyms of heterosexual include heteroflexible. The word can be informally shortened to 'hetero'. The term straight originated as a mid-20th century gay slang term for heterosexuals, ultimately coming from the phrase 'to go straight' (as in 'straight and narrow'), or stop engaging in homosexual sex. One of the first uses of the word in this way was in 1941 by author G. W. Henry. Henry's book concerned conversations with homosexual males and used this term in connection with people who are identified as ex-gays. It is now simply a colloquial term for 'heterosexual', having changed in primary meaning over time. Some object to usage of the term straight because it implies that non-heteros are crooked. Heterosexual symbolism dates back to the earliest artifacts of humanity, with gender symbols, ritual fertility carvings, and primitive art. This was later expressed in the symbolism of fertility rites and polytheistic worship, which often included images of human reproductive organs, such as lingam in Hinduism. Modern symbols of heterosexuality in societies derived from European traditions still reference symbols used in these ancient beliefs. One such image is a combination of the symbol for Mars, the Roman god of war, as the definitive male symbol of masculinity, and Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty, as the definitive female symbol of femininity. The unicode character for this combined symbol is ⚤ (U+26A4). The Judeo-Christian tradition has several scriptures related to heterosexuality. The Genesis states that God created man because 'it is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.' (Gen 2:18) Genesis then contains a commandment stating 'Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh' (Gen 2:24) In 1 Corinthians, Christians are advised: