Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Biodemographic comparisons of homosexual and heterosexual men in the kinsey interview data

  • Kap Archief
  • Published:
Archives of Sexual Behavior Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Relations between sexual orientation and several biodemographic variables previously reported to differentiate between homosexual and heterosexual men were examined. Subjects were 4948 white, postpubertal males, who were never reared in foster homes, orphanages, or other institutions, and were never arrested or convicted on criminal charges. These were dichotomously classified as homosexual (n=844) or heterosexual (n=4104). Data came from survey interviews conducted by staff members of The Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction from 1938 to 1963. Results extended previous findings that, compared with heterosexual controls, homosexual men have a later birth order, an earlier onset of puberty, and a lower body weight. Sexual orientation was weakly related or unrelated to height, paternal age, and sibling sex ratio. A more detailed analysis of the late birth order of the homosexual group showed that homosexual men have a greater number of older brothers than do heterosexual men, but they do not have a greater number of older sisters, once their number of older brothers has been taken into account.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abe, K., and Moran, P. A. P. (1969). Parental age of homosexuals.Br. J. Psychiat., 115: 313–317.

    Google Scholar 

  • Allen, L. S., and Gorski, R. A. (1992). Sexual orientation and the size of the anterior commissure in the human brain.Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S. 89: 7199–7202.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bailey, J. M., and Zucker, K. J. (1995). Childhood sex-typed behavior and sexual orientation: A conceptual analysis and quantitative review.Dev. Psychol. 31: 43–55.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Belsky, J., Steinberg, L., and Draper, P. (1991). Childhood experience, interpersonal development, and reproductive strategy: An evolutionary theory of socialization.Child Dev. 62: 647–670.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bieber, I., Dain, H. J., Dince, P. R., Drellich, M. G., Grand, H. G., Gundlach, R. H., Kremer, M. W., Rifkin, A. H., Wilbur, C. B., and Bieber, T. B. (1962).Homosexuality: A Psychoanalytic Study, Basic Books, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blanchard, R. (1985). Typology of male-to-female transsexualism.Arch. Sex. Behav. 14: 247–261.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Blanchard, R. (1988). Nonhomosexual gender dysphoria.J. Sex Res. 24: 188–193.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blanchard, R. (1989a). The classification and labeling of nonhomosexual gender dysphorias.Arch. Sex. Behav. 18: 315–334.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Blanchard, R. (1989b). The concept of autogynephilia and the typology of male gender dysphoria.J. Nerv. Ment. Dis. 177: 616–623.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Blanchard, R. (1993a). The she-male phenomenon and the concept of partial autogynephilia.J. Sex Marital Ther. 19: 69–76.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Blanchard, R. (1993b). Partial versus complete autogynephilia and gender dysphoria.J. Sex Marital Ther. 19: 301–307.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Blanchard, R., and Bogaert, A. F. (1996). Homosexuality in men and number of older brothers.Am. J. Psychiat. 153: 27–31.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Blanchard, R., Dickey, R., and Jones, C. L. (1995a). Comparison of height and weight in homosexual versus nonhomosexual male gender dysphorics.Arch. Sex. Behav. 24: 543–554.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Blanchard, R., and Sheridan, P. M. (1992). Sibship size, sibling sex ratio, birth order, and parental age in homosexual and nonhomosexual gender dysphorics.J. Nerv. Ment. Dis. 180: 40–47.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Blanchard, R., and Zucker, K. J. (1994). Reanalysis of Bell, Weinberg, and Hammersmith's data on birth order, sibling sex ratio, and parental age in homosexual men.Am. J. Psychiat. 151: 1375–1376.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Blanchard, R., Zucker, K. J., Bradley, S. J., and Hume, C. S. (1995b). Birth order and sibling sex ratio in homosexual male adolescents and probably prehomosexual feminine boys.Dev. Psychol. 31: 22–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blanchard, R., Zucker, K. J., Cohen-Kettenis, P. T., Gooren, L. J. G., and Bailey, J. M. (1996). Birth order and sibling sex ratio in two samples of Dutch gender-dysphoric homosexual males.Arch. Sex. Behav. 25: 489–508.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chahnazarian, A. (1988). Determinants of the sex ratio at birth: Review of recent literature.Soc. Biol. 35: 214–235.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cole, M. M. (1983). The developmental antecedents of sexual preference among males. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, North Carolina State University.

  • Dann, T. C., and Roberts, D. F. (1984). Menarcheal age in University of Warwick students.J. Biosoc. Sci. 16: 511–519.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ellis, L., and Ames, M. A. (1987). Neurohormonal functioning and sexual orientation: A theory of homosexuality-heterosexuality.Psychol. Bull. 101: 233–258.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Evans, R. B. (1972). Physical and biochemical characteristics of homosexual men.J. Consult. Clin. Psychol. 39: 140–147.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fichter, M. M., and Daser, C. (1987). Symptomatology, psychosexual development and gender identity in 42 anorexic males.Psychol. Med. 17: 409–418.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gebhard, P. H., and Johnson, A. B. (1979).The Kinsey Data: Marginal Tabulations of the 1938–1963 Interviews Conducted by the Institute for Sex Research, W. B. Saunders, Philadelphia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gettelman, T. E., and Thompson, J. K. (1993). Actual differences and stereotypical perceptions in body image and eating disturbance: A comparison of male and female heterosexual and homosexual samples.Sex Roles 29: 545–562.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Green, R. (1987).The “Sissy Boy Syndrome” and the Development of Homosexuality, Yale University Press, New Haven, CT.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grumbach, M. M., and Styne, D. M. (1992). Puberty: Ontogeny, neuroendocrinology, physiology, and disorders. In Wilson, J. D., and Foster, D. W. (eds.),Williams Textbook of Endocrinology, 8th ed., W. B. Saunders, Philadelphia, pp. 1139–1221.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gualtieri, T. and Hicks, R. E. (1985). An immunoreactive theory of selective male affliction.Beh. Brain Sci. 8: 427–441.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hamer, D. H., Hu, S., Magnuson, V. L., Hu, N., and Pattatucci, A. M. L. (1993). A linkage between DNA markers on the X-chromosome and male sexual orientation.Science 261: 321–327.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hare, E. H., and Moran, P. A. P. (1979). Parental age and birth order in homosexual patients: A replication of Slater's study.Br. J. Psychiat. 134: 178–182.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hare, E. H., and Price, J. S. (1969). Birth order and family size: Bias caused by changes in birth rate.Br. J. Psychiat. 115: 647–657.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hare, E. H., and Price, J. S. (1974). Birth order and birth rate bias: Findings in a representative sample of the adult population of Great Britain.J. Biosoc. Sci. 6: 139–150.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harry, J. (1983). Parasuicide, gender, and gender deviance.J. Health Soc. Behav. 24: 350–361.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Herzog, D. B., Newman, K. L., and Warshaw, M. (1991). Body image dissatisfaction in homosexual and heterosexual males.J. Nerv. Ment. Dis. 179: 356–359.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Herzog, D. B., Norman, D. K., Gordon, C., and Pepose, M. (1984). Sexual conflict and eating disorders in 27 males.Am. J. Psychiat. 141: 989–990.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • James, W. H. (1987). The human sex ratio. Part 1: A review of the literature.Hum. Biol. 59: 721–752.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jensch, K. (1941). Weiterer Beitrag zur Genealogie der Homosexualität [A further contribution to the genealogical study of homosexuality].Arch. Psychiat. Nervenkr. 112: 679–696.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kallmann, F. J. (1952). Twin and sibship study of overt male homosexuality.Am. J. Hum. Genet. 4: 136–146.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction. (1985).Kinsey Interview Kit, KIRSGR, Bloomington, IN.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender, and Reproduction. (1991).Kinsey Interview Kit: Code Book, KIRSGR, Bloomington, IN.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kinsey, A. C., Pomeroy, W. B., and Martin, C. E. (1948).Sexual Behavior in the Human Male, W. B. Saunders, Philadelphia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lang, T. (1960). Die Homosexualität als genetisches Problem [Homosexuality as a genetic problem].Acta Genet. Med. Gemellol. 9: 370–381.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Le Vay, S. (1991). A difference in hypothalamic structure between heterosexual and homosexual men.Science 253: 1034–1037.

    Google Scholar 

  • MacCulloch, M. J., and Waddington, J. L. (1981). Neuroendocrine mechanisms and the aetiology of male and female homosexuality.Br. J. Psychiat. 139: 341–345.

    Google Scholar 

  • Manosevitz, M. (1970). Early sexual behaviors in adult homosexual and heterosexual males.J. Abn. Psychol. 76: 396–402.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Manosevitz, M. (1972). The development of male homosexuality.J. Sex Res. 8: 31–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • McCormick, C. M. (1990). A neuropsychological study of sexual orientation: Neurobiological implications. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meulenberg, P. M. M., and Hofman, J. A. (1991). Maternal testosterone and fetal sex.J.Steroid Biochem. Mol. Biol. 39: 51–54.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Money, J. (1970). Sexual dimorphism and homosexual gender identity.Psychol. Bull. 74: 425–440.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Money, J., and Lamacz, M. (1984). Gynemimesis and gynemimetophilia: Individual and cross-cultural manifestations of a gender-coping strategy hitherto unnamed.Comprehen. Psychiat. 25: 392–403.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nash, J., and Hayes, F. (1965). The parental relationships of male homosexuals: Some theoretical issues and a pilot study.Aust. J. Psychol. 17: 35–43.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nedoma, K., and Freund, K. (1961). Somatosexuální nálezy u homosexuálních mužů [Somatosexual findings in homosexual men].Cesk. Psychiatr. 57: 100–103. (FromExcerpta Medica, 1961,14 [VIII], Abstract No. 6319)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Price, J. S., and Hare, E. H. (1969). Birth order studies: Some sources of bias.Br. J. Psychiat. 115: 633–646.

    Google Scholar 

  • Raschka, L. B. (1995). On older fathers [Letter to the editor].Am. J. Psychiat. 152: 1404.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rindfuss, R. R., Bumpass, L., and St. John, C. (1980). Education and fertility: Implications for the roles women occupy.Am. Sociol. Rev. 45: 431–447.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Roberts, D. F., and Dann, T. C. (1975). A 12-year study of menarcheal age.Br. J. Prevent. Soc. Med. 29: 31–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robertson, G. (1972). Parent-child relationships and homosexuality.Br. J. Psychiat. 121: 525–528.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, P. H., and Holden, N. L. (1986). Bulimia nervosa in the male: A report of nine cases.Psychol. Med. 16: 795–803.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rushton, J. P., and Bogaert, A. F. (1988). Race versus social class differences in sexual behavior: A follow-up test of ther/K dimension.J. Res. Pers. 22: 259–272.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ryder, N. B. (1980). Components of temporal variations in American fertility. In Hiorns, R. W. (ed.),Demographic Patterns in Developed Societies, Taylor & Francis, London, pp. 15–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saghir, M. T., and Robins, E. (1973).Male and Female Homosexuality: A Comprehensive Investigation, Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, MD.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, R. M., Bain, J., and Langevin, R. (1985). Peripheral sex hormones, homosexuality, and gender identity. In Langevin, R. (ed.),Erotic Preference, Gender Identity, and Aggression in Men: New Research Studies, Erlbaum, Hillsdale, NJ, pp. 227–247.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schneider, J. A., and Agras, W. S. (1987). Bulimia in males: A matched comparison with females.Int. J. Eating Disorders 6: 235–242.

    Google Scholar 

  • Siever, M. D. (1994). Sexual orientation and gender as factors in socioculturally acquired vulnerability to body dissatisfaction and eating disorders.J. Consult. Clin. Psychol. 62: 252–260.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Silberstein, L. R., Mishkind, M. E., Striegel-Moore, R. H., Timko, C., and Rodin, J. (1989). Men and their bodies: A comparison of homosexual and heterosexual men.Psychosom. Med. 51: 337–346.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sinclair, D. (1989).Human Growth After Birth, 5th ed., Oxford University Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Slater, E. (1958). The sibs and children of homosexuals. In Smith, D. R., and Davidson, W. M. (eds.),Symposium on Nuclear Sex, Heinemann, London, pp. 79–83.

    Google Scholar 

  • Slater, E. (1962). Birth order and maternal age of homosexuals.Lancet 1: 69–71.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stephan, W. G. (1973). Parental relationships and early social experiences of activist male homosexuals and male heterosexuals.J. Abn. Psychol. 82: 506–513.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Storms, M. D. (1981). A theory of erotic orientation development.Psychol. Rev. 88: 340–353.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Suarez, B. K., and Przybeck, T. R. (1980). Sibling sex ratio and male homosexuality.Arch. Sex. Behav. 9: 1–12.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Surbey, M. K. (1990). Family composition, stress, and the timing of human menarche. In Ziegler, T. E., and Bercovitch, F. B. (eds.),Socioendocrinology of Primate Reproduction, Wiley-Liss, New York, pp. 11–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tanner, J. M. (1962).Growth at Adolescence, 2nd ed., Blackwell, Oxford, England.

    Google Scholar 

  • Terman, L. M., and Miles, C. C. (1936).Sex and Personality: Studies in Masculinity and Femininity, McGraw-Hill, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tourney, G., Petrilli, A. J., and Hatfield, L. M. (1975). Hormonal relationships in homosexual men.Am. J. Psychiat. 132: 288–290.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tripp, C. A. (1982). Tripp's answer to Bell, Weinberg & Hammersmith's objections to his review of their “Sexual preference: Its development in men and women”.J. Sex Res. 18: 366–368.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Underwood, L. E., and Van Wyk, J. J. (1992). Normal and aberrant growth. In Wilson, J. D., and Foster, D. W. (eds.),Williams Textbook of Endocrinology, 8th ed., W. B. Saunders, Philadelphia, pp. 1079–1138.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weil, W. B., Jr. (1984). Demographic determinants of obesity. In Kallen, D. J., and Sussman, M. B. (eds.),Obesity and the Family, Haworth, New York, pp. 21–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wierson, M., Long, P. J., and Forehand, R. L. (1993). Toward a new understanding of early menarche: The role of environmental stress in pubertal timing.Adolescence 28: 913–924.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yager, J., Kurtzman, F., Landsverk, J., and Wiesmeier, E. (1988). Behaviors and attitudes related to eating disorders in homosexual male college students.Am. J. Psychiat. 145: 495–497.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zucker, K. J., and Blanchard, R. (1994). Reanalysis of Bieber et al.'s 1962 data on sibling sex ratio and birth order in male homosexuals.J. Nerv. Ment. Dis. 182: 528–530.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Gender Identity Clinic, Clarke Institute of Psychiatry, 250 College Street, M5T 1R8, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Ray Blanchard Ph.D. & Anthony F. Bogaert Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Ray Blanchard Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Anthony F. Bogaert Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

The second author was supported by a postdoctoral fellowship from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada during the preparation of this article.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Blanchard, R., Bogaert, A.F. Biodemographic comparisons of homosexual and heterosexual men in the kinsey interview data. Arch Sex Behav 25, 551–579 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02437839

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02437839

Key words

Search

Navigation