Study says bisexual women keep orientation over time
By Uyen Nguyen
Posted: 2/5/08, 10:56 PM EST Section: News
Bisexuality is not just a phase, according to a new study conducted by a University of Utah professor.
Lisa Diamond, a Utah psychology professor, studied 79 bisexual women between the ages of 18 and 25 living in New York. Her findings?
Only 10 women in the study did not remain bisexual during the 10-year span of research.
This appears to fly in the face of the commonly held beliefs that bisexuality is a transitional stage between homosexuality and heterosexuality - that bisexuality is a holding station.
The study was published in the January 2008 issue of Developmental Psychology and is the first study of its kind, according to the Utah Chronicle.
Jeein Ahn, a sophomore hotel management and entrepreneurship major at SU, said she was not surprised by the results of Diamond's research.
"It's like someone liking a dog and a cat together," she said. "You can like both. You shouldn't be forced to choose."
But not everyone agrees on the issue.
Takeem Coleman, a sophomore engineering major, disagreed with the results of the study, saying that bisexuals are confused. People prefer one sex, but may occasionally experiment, he said.
"People are confused, and they're trying to find out what they really want," Coleman said.
Jennifer Kim, an undecided sophomore, said she doesn't recognize the idea of bisexuality.
"You can't like the same sex and the opposite sex," she said. "That's just wrong."
She said a person has to either be gay or straight. One cannot be attracted to both genders.
The study gathered information about each woman's sexual attractions, behavior and types of relationships they have been involved in. Diamond took the data and compared the women with three common conceptualizations for bisexuality that exist today: bisexuality is a transitional stage, it is a third type of sexual orientation or bisexuality in women is likely to change often over time.
After the study was complete, the data showed bisexuality fell into the second category - bisexuality is a sexual orientation.
That made sense to Joel Rodriquez, a junior information studies major.
"I say that it's not a phase," he said. "It's an orientation."
The women in the study were mostly found at lesbian/bisexual youth groups and pride parades. Because of this, critics such as Paula Rust, a prominent author on bisexuality, discounted the study for using only a small sample and for targeting educated women.
Despite mixed reactions to the research findings, some SU students agreed bisexuality was becoming more common in today's society.
Ahn said people are more open to the idea now than before, she said.
"Even 10 years ago, homosexuality was hidden, now it's very common," she said.
"Bisexuality will become a growing trend too."
Coleman echoed Ahn's opinions. Bisexuality is a lot more accepted now, he said.
"Just look at Tila Tequila," he said.
unnguyen@syr.edu
Lisa Diamond, a Utah psychology professor, studied 79 bisexual women between the ages of 18 and 25 living in New York. Her findings?
Only 10 women in the study did not remain bisexual during the 10-year span of research.
This appears to fly in the face of the commonly held beliefs that bisexuality is a transitional stage between homosexuality and heterosexuality - that bisexuality is a holding station.
The study was published in the January 2008 issue of Developmental Psychology and is the first study of its kind, according to the Utah Chronicle.
Jeein Ahn, a sophomore hotel management and entrepreneurship major at SU, said she was not surprised by the results of Diamond's research.
"It's like someone liking a dog and a cat together," she said. "You can like both. You shouldn't be forced to choose."
But not everyone agrees on the issue.
Takeem Coleman, a sophomore engineering major, disagreed with the results of the study, saying that bisexuals are confused. People prefer one sex, but may occasionally experiment, he said.
"People are confused, and they're trying to find out what they really want," Coleman said.
Jennifer Kim, an undecided sophomore, said she doesn't recognize the idea of bisexuality.
"You can't like the same sex and the opposite sex," she said. "That's just wrong."
She said a person has to either be gay or straight. One cannot be attracted to both genders.
The study gathered information about each woman's sexual attractions, behavior and types of relationships they have been involved in. Diamond took the data and compared the women with three common conceptualizations for bisexuality that exist today: bisexuality is a transitional stage, it is a third type of sexual orientation or bisexuality in women is likely to change often over time.
After the study was complete, the data showed bisexuality fell into the second category - bisexuality is a sexual orientation.
That made sense to Joel Rodriquez, a junior information studies major.
"I say that it's not a phase," he said. "It's an orientation."
The women in the study were mostly found at lesbian/bisexual youth groups and pride parades. Because of this, critics such as Paula Rust, a prominent author on bisexuality, discounted the study for using only a small sample and for targeting educated women.
Despite mixed reactions to the research findings, some SU students agreed bisexuality was becoming more common in today's society.
Ahn said people are more open to the idea now than before, she said.
"Even 10 years ago, homosexuality was hidden, now it's very common," she said.
"Bisexuality will become a growing trend too."
Coleman echoed Ahn's opinions. Bisexuality is a lot more accepted now, he said.
"Just look at Tila Tequila," he said.
unnguyen@syr.edu
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