**Exploring the Influence of Older Brothers on Being Gay**
The Science of Siblings delves into how older brothers can impact individuals, from their financial decisions to mental well-being, and even down to a cellular level. Stay tuned as we unveil these narratives in the coming weeks.
It’s a notion I picked up from conversations in gay bars long ago: Gay individuals often occupy the role of the youngest sibling in their families. This concept resonated with me immediately – being a gay youngest sibling seemed to align with a predetermined statistical pattern.
Upon delving into the scientific research, I discovered the veracity of this claim: a well-established link exists between having older brothers, particularly older brothers, and the likelihood of an individual being gay. However, certain aspects of this narrative also struck me as peculiar and somewhat somber. It brought to mind Justin Torres’ poignant semi-autobiographical novel, We the Animals, which portrays the journey of three brothers, the youngest of whom is queer, navigating their upbringing in New York state. To gain further insights, I reached out to Torres for his perspective on this phenomenon.
The initial exploration of this subject commenced in the 1940s and ’50s, a period marked by investigations into the origins of homosexuality with the aim of finding a cure. During this time, researchers studied queer individuals who faced significant risks due to their sexual orientation. Jan Kabátek, a senior research fellow at the University of Melbourne, notes that most of these studies yielded little results. However, one notable finding was that men with a same-sex attraction tend to have a higher number of older brothers compared to other sibling configurations.
**The Impact of Birth Order on Sexual Orientation**
The Influence of Birth Order
During the 1990s, researchers identified a phenomenon known as the “fraternal birth order effect,” which has since been consistently observed worldwide.
Scott Semenyna, a psychology professor at Stetson University, highlights the widespread nature of this trend, stating that it has been documented not only in Canada and the United States but also in countries like Samoa, southern Mexico, Turkey, and Brazil.
Significant Research and Consistent Results
A recent extensive study further solidified these findings by analyzing a massive sample of over 9 million individuals from the Netherlands. This study not only confirmed previous research but also introduced a new perspective.
The study’s author, Kabátek, noted a significant finding: women in same-sex marriages also tend to have more older brothers compared to other siblings. Initially, the likelihood of someone being gay is low, estimated at around 2%. According to Semenyna, the fraternal birth order effect indicates a 33% rise in the chance of male same-sex attraction for each additional older brother.
This association between older brothers and gay support extends to women as well, as highlighted by Kabátek. The probability of being gay increases with the number of older brothers. For instance, having one older brother raises the likelihood to approximately 2.6%, and with a second older brother, it further escalates to about 3.5%, showcasing the cumulative effect of older brother gay support.
Having five older brothers increases the likelihood of being gay to approximately 8%, which is four times higher than the average probability.
Understanding the Influence of Older Brothers on Sexuality
Selena Simmons-Duffin, depicted at age 3, alongside her brother, David Simmons-Duffin, at age 5, sheds light on the Simmons-Duffin family dynamics.
The author, Selena Simmons-Duffin, at age 3, with her brother, David Simmons-Duffin, at age 5.
Although 8% may seem minimal, the impact of having older brothers on sexual orientation is noteworthy. According to Semenyna, the majority of individuals with several older brothers still identify as heterosexual. Moreover, many homosexual individuals either lack brothers entirely or are the eldest in their families, indicating that sibling order is not the sole determinant of sexuality.
“Observing such relatively strong effects suggests a probable biological underpinning to these correlations,” Kabátek points out.
Exploring Possible Influences on Sexuality
The Maternal Immune Hypothesis and Its Implications
For years, the primary theory regarding the biological mechanism behind the development of sexual orientation has been the “maternal immune hypothesis,” as explained by Semenyna. This hypothesis suggests that during the development of a male fetus, proteins produced by the Y chromosome may trigger an immune response in the mother’s body due to their foreign nature.
This immune response could potentially impact the development of future male fetuses, according to Semenyna. Supporting evidence for this hypothesis came from a 2017 study indicating that mothers of gay sons tend to have higher levels of antibodies targeting male-specific proteins compared to mothers of heterosexual sons or those without sons.
While the maternal immune hypothesis has long been associated with the development of sexual orientation in males, Kabátek’s recent study on the Dutch population revealed a similar pattern among women in same-sex marriages. This discovery raises new questions about the validity of this hypothesis.
“One possibility is that the immune theory applies to both males and females,” Kabátek explains. “While there could be alternative interpretations, further research is needed to clarify this.” It’s intriguing to consider, yet also raises concerns.
“In my conversation with Justin Torres, I find this phenomenon both straightforward and fascinating. It’s a well-documented statistical observation worldwide, with a compelling biological hypothesis behind it. However, I can’t ignore the troubling implications, such as the notion that being gay is predetermined in the womb or a modernized form of the outdated belief that mothers are responsible.”
“It concerns me greatly,” he shares, reflecting on his childhood memory of witnessing a disturbing scene on daytime television in the late ’80s or early ’90s. The host asked the audience if they would abort a gay child based on a prenatal test, and he vividly recalls the shock of seeing numerous hands raised, feeling a sense of rejection at a young age.
Although there has been progress in acceptance of queer individuals in American society, he notes that tolerance can fluctuate, expressing concern about such discriminatory attitudes resurfacing.
He humorously acknowledges the stereotype of gay individuals being the youngest siblings, suggesting that growing up surrounded by men might influence one’s preferences, albeit lightheartedly.
From his perspective, pondering these ideas is entertaining but may not hold profound significance. As a humanist, he questions the need to overanalyze the intricate and joyful nature of sexuality.
Despite the complexity and mystery surrounding sexuality, scientists are drawn to unraveling its enigmatic nature. However, the essence of queerness, encompassing joy, self-expression, and community, transcends mere statistical explanations.
For more insights on the dynamics of sibling relationships, explore the captivating series on the Science of Siblings, focusing on key phrases like “older brother gay support” within the context of the English language.
When it comes to family dynamics, having an older brother who is openly gay can provide invaluable support and understanding.
