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Sexual orientation: views on nature vs. nurture in the U.S. 1977-2018
Sexual orientation: views on nature vs. nurture in the U.S. 1977-2018
Are people born gay or lesbian or does this develop due to upbringing and environmental factors?
This statistic shows the shift in Americans' views from 1977 to 2018 as to whether people are born gay or lesbian, or their sexual orientation develops due to upbringing and environmental factors. In 1977, 13 percent of respondents stated that they believe people were born gay or lesbian. In 2018, 50 percent of respondents believed people were born gay or lesbian.
Are people born gay or lesbian or does this develop due to upbringing and environmental factors?
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| Born with | Upbringing/environment | Both | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 50% | 30% | 10% |
| 2016 | 46% | 33% | 12% |
| 2015 | 51% | 30% | 8% |
| 2014 | 42% | 37% | 9% |
| 2013 | 47% | 33% | 9% |
| 2012 | 40% | 35% | 11% |
| 2011 | 40% | 42% | 6% |
| 2010 | 36% | 37% | 12% |
| 2009 | 35% | 42% | 12% |
| 2008 | 41% | 38% | 9% |
| 2007 | 42% | 35% | 11% |
| 2006 | 42% | 37% | 11% |
| 2005 | 38% | 44% | 10% |
| 2004 | 37% | 41% | 11% |
| 2003 | 38% | 44% | 11% |
| 2002 | 40% | 36% | 12% |
| 2001 | 40% | 39% | 9% |
| 1999 | 34% | 44% | 13% |
| 1996 | 31% | 40% | 13% |
| 1989 | 19% | 48% | 12% |
| 1982 | 17% | 52% | 13% |
| 1977 | 13% | 56% | 14% |
| Born with | Upbringing/environment | Both | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 50% | 30% | 10% |
| 2016 | 46% | 33% | 12% |
| 2015 | 51% | 30% | 8% |
| 2014 | 42% | 37% | 9% |
| 2013 | 47% | 33% | 9% |
| 2012 | 40% | 35% | 11% |
| 2011 | 40% | 42% | 6% |
| 2010 | 36% | 37% | 12% |
| 2009 | 35% | 42% | 12% |
| 2008 | 41% | 38% | 9% |
| 2007 | 42% | 35% | 11% |
| 2006 | 42% | 37% | 11% |
| 2005 | 38% | 44% | 10% |
| 2004 | 37% | 41% | 11% |
| 2003 | 38% | 44% | 11% |
| 2002 | 40% | 36% | 12% |
| 2001 | 40% | 39% | 9% |
| 1999 | 34% | 44% | 13% |
| 1996 | 31% | 40% | 13% |
| 1989 | 19% | 48% | 12% |
| 1982 | 17% | 52% | 13% |
| 1977 | 13% | 56% | 14% |
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This statistic shows the shift in Americans' views from 1977 to 2018 as to whether people are born gay or lesbian, or their sexual orientation develops due to upbringing and environmental factors. In 1977, 13 percent of respondents stated that they believe people were born gay or lesbian. In 2018, 50 percent of respondents believed people were born gay or lesbian.
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- Show publisher information
- Release date
- May 2018
- Region
- United States
- Survey time period
- 1977 to 2018
- Number of respondents
- 1,024*
- Age group
- 18 years and older
- Method of interview
- Telephone interview
- Supplementary notes
-
The source poses the question as follows: " In your view, is being gay or lesbian something a person is born with, (or) due to factors such as upbringing and environment?"
Missing percentage points to 100 percent are due to respondents stating "neither" or "no opinion".
*In 2018. The source does not provide the exact number of respondents for each year.
Source
- Show sources information
- Show publisher information
- Release date
- May 2018
More information
- Region
- United States
- Survey time period
- 1977 to 2018
- Number of respondents
- 1,024*
- Age group
- 18 years and older
- Method of interview
- Telephone interview
- Supplementary notes
-
The source poses the question as follows: " In your view, is being gay or lesbian something a person is born with, (or) due to factors such as upbringing and environment?"
Missing percentage points to 100 percent are due to respondents stating "neither" or "no opinion".
*In 2018. The source does not provide the exact number of respondents for each year.
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Homosexuality
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