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Sexual Orientation and Sex in Women's Lives: Conceptual and Methodological Issues
Author(s) -
Rothblum Esther D.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
journal of social issues
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.618
H-Index - 122
eISSN - 1540-4560
pISSN - 0022-4537
DOI - 10.1111/0022-4537.00160
Subject(s) - sexual orientation , lesbian , psychology , human sexuality , phenomenon , sexual attraction , orientation (vector space) , sexual identity , gender identity , heterosexuality , social psychology , categorical variable , developmental psychology , sexual behavior , gender studies , sociology , epistemology , psychoanalysis , philosophy , geometry , mathematics , machine learning , computer science
Use of such categorical terms as heterosexual, bisexual, and lesbian is widespread, yet research indicates that sexuality is a multidimensional phenomenon. Sexual behavior, identity, and desire are not highly intercorrelated for women, and this has implications for new ways of conceptualizing sexual orientation. Furthermore, the multifaceted nature of sexual orientation has implications for conceptualizing sexual activity and sexual desire for women. Some methodological issues are presented for future research on female sexual orientation, including a better understanding of gender and a more multifaceted approach to sexual orientation.