Signs my daughter is gay

So on the basis of some earlier, shakier research, along with a good dose of common sense, Bailey and Zucker hypothesized that homosexuals would show an inverted pattern of sex-typed childhood behaviors—little boys preferring girls as playmates and becoming infatuated with their mother's makeup kit; little girls strangely enamored of field hockey or professional wrestling—that sort of thing. In looking carefully at the childhoods of gay adults, researchers are finding an intriguing set of behavioral indicators that homosexuals seem to have in common.

Your child has just come out to you as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. This can start from an early age if you can identify the signs of your child's sexual orientation. These behavioral patterns are feared, loathed and often spoken of directly as harbingers of adult homosexuality. As parents, all you can do is provide them with love and support. Find content from MSNBC and the NBCUniversal family of networks on !

Toy interests are another key sex difference, with boys gravitating toward toy machine guns and monster trucks and girls orienting toward baby dolls and hyperfeminized figurines. Curiously enough, the age-old homophobic fears of many parents reflect some genuine predictive currency. Not surprisingly, therefore, boys naturally select other boys for playmates, and girls would much rather play with other girls. They are also found in every culture examined.

Before trying to determine if a family member is LGBT, figure out why you want to know. MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell explains why that is the stupidest public lie ever told by a Secretary of Defense. Curiously enough, the age-old. Hear the news from Morning Joe guests today. Don't stereotype the LGBT community. Of course, there are exceptions to the rule; it is only when comparing the aggregate data that sex differences leap into the stratosphere of statistical significance.

They might have a lack of interest in the opposite sex if they’re homosexual or asexual. Consider why you want to know this information. It is only relatively recently, however, that developmental scientists have conducted controlled studies to identify the earliest and most reliable signs of adult homosexuality.

The role of parents As parents, all you can do is provide them with love and support. What should you do?. If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. More about the MSNBC Morning Joe show. How do they depict gay people? Girls enact the role of, say, cooing mothers, ballerinas or fairy princesses, and boys prefer to be soldiers and superheroes.

Updated 1d ago. We all know the stereotypes: an unusually light, delicate, effeminate air in a little boy's step, an interest in dolls, makeup, princesses and dresses, and a strong distaste for rough play with other boys. React kindly to gay people in the news or on television. MSNBC is the premier destination for in-depth analysis of the news, insightful political commentary and diverse perspectives.

The most salient differences are in the domain of play. Wait for them to come out to you, but create a supportive environment for them to do so. In looking carefully at the childhoods of gay adults, researchers are finding an intriguing set of behavioral indicators that homosexuals seem to have in common. Dressing up.

This can start from an early age if you can identify the signs of your child's sexual orientation. Don't ask your child if they're gay or transgender. Michael Bailey and Kenneth J. Zucker, both psychologists, published a seminal paper on childhood markers of homosexuality in Bailey and Zucker examined sex-typed behavior—that long, now scientifically canonical list of innate sex differences in the behaviors of young males versus young females.

Show support for LGBT causes. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today. If your son likes sissy stuff or your daughter shuns feminine frocks, he or she is more likely to buck the heterosexual norm. By Jesse Bering. The official MSNBC YouTube Channel.

Try to determine why you want to know your family member's. But predicting sexual preference is still an inexact science. In innumerable studies, scientists have documented that these sex differences are largely impervious to learning. Young children of both sexes enjoy pretend play, but the roles within the fantasy context are gender-segregated by age two. Gay youth often face their set of challenges after coming out about their gender preferences.

If your son likes sissy stuff or your daughter shuns feminine frocks, he or she is more likely to buck the heterosexual norm. In little girls, there is the outwardly boyish stance, perhaps a penchant for tools, a square-jawed readiness for physical tussles with boys, and an aversion to all the perfumed, delicate trappings of femininity. But predicting sexual preference is still an inexact science.

Just because you're a family member doesn't mean you're obligated to know about someone's gender or sexual orientation - in fact, being a family member may make this person scared to come out to you. Getty Images. Although you can never be sure of someone’s sexuality without asking them, there are a few signs that your family member is LGBT.

Whether or not you suspect your child is part of LGBTQ+ community, make it clear that your household is accepting of all sexualities and genders and that you will love and accept your child if they do happen to be gay or trans. Get the latest top news stories and videos on Read breaking headlines covering politics, culture, and more. Watch Morning Joe for news commentary & informed perspectives.