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Childhood indicators of male homosexuality

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Abstract

Questionnaires were administered to 206 male homosexuals and 78 male heterosexuals. The most important aspects of the questionnaire dealt with six “childhood indicators” of later adult homosexuality: (1) interest in dolls, (2) crossdressing, (3) preference for company of girls rather than boys in childhood games, (4) preference for company of older women rather than older men, (5) being regarded by other boys as a sissy, (6) sexual interest in other boys rather than girls in childhood sex play. Significant differences were found between homosexuals and heterosexuals with respect to all six indicators. Moreover, it was found that the stronger one's homosexual orientation the greater was the number of childhood indicators. It is concluded that there are behavioral aspects related to one's sexual orientation which may begin to emerge early in childhood.

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Whitam, F.L. Childhood indicators of male homosexuality. Arch Sex Behav 6, 89–96 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01541701

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01541701

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