Psychology of sex - Total No. of Records in System :: 2032

HOMOSEXUALITYvestigator as true for the morbid subjects of psychoanalysis,it must be added that for more normal persons,between whom and those who become patients there isno clear line of demarcation, this current may be veryslight and not to be detected after adolescence.The acceptance of the homosexual current does nottherefore involve the belief in a completely undifferentiatedstate of the sexual impulse in early life. In some largeschools, it is true (notably in some of the large EnglishPublic Schools frequented by boys of upper social class) ,homosexuality is known to flourish, aided, it would seem,by a kind of tradition. But these appear to be exceptions.of us are unable to recall from the memories ofManyschool life and early associations anyclear evidence of theexistence of homosexual attractions, such rare sexual attractionsas existed being exclusively towards the oppositesex.It remains true that a certain liability to more or lessromantic homosexual affection is found among boys, whilegirls,much more frequently, cherish enthusiastic devotionsfor other girls somewhat older than themselves, andvery often for their teachers. Even, however, when theseemotions are reciprocated, and even when they lead todefinite sexual manifestations and gratification, they mustnot too hastily be taken to indicate either a vice calling fortreatment. Insevere punishment or a disease demandingthe great majority of these cases we are simply concernedwith an inevitable youthful phase.In dealing, therefore, with such manifestations, whichare in most cases purely sentimental, and with only avague sensual tinge, though they sometimes take crudeand even cruel shapes, it isimportant to realize that weare probably in the presence of an early stage of what maybe a more or less normal development. Much injury may[235]