Origins of homophobia in males. Psychosexual vulnerabilities and defense development

Am J Psychother. 1998 Fall;52(4):425-36. doi: 10.1176/appi.psychotherapy.1998.52.4.425.

Abstract

Purpose: To better understand the origins of homophobia among males.

Methods: Literature review and clinical illustration.

Results: Data suggest that there is a range of homophobic attitudes.

Conclusions: We illustrate how homophobic attitudes can be associated with a hierarchy of defensive styles. We propose that these defensive styles are used to manage a range of psychosexual developmental anxieties in boys and men.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anxiety
  • Attitude
  • Child
  • Child Development*
  • Defense Mechanisms
  • Fear*
  • Homosexuality, Male / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Male