Question

Why are men with older brothers, but not men with older sisters or those who are only children, more likely to be gay? a. A mother’s heightened immune response with subsequent male-fetus pregnancies affects brain development. b. Older brothers are likely to deride and belittle the youngest brother, creating a more sensitive, fearful, and confused individual. c. Older brothers are more likely to protect and guard the youngest brother, shielding him from rough-and-tumble play and traditional masculine rituals. d. Mothers are more likely to unknowingly treat their youngest sons like daughters.

Answer 1

The correlation between men having older brothers and being more likely to be gay, known as the 'fraternal birth order effect,' is theorized to be rooted in biological changes in the mother's immune response affecting brain development, rather than solely by differences in gender socialization or family dynamics.

Step-by-step explanation:

The suggested correlation between the number of older brothers and the likelihood of men being gay is best explained by biological theories rather than socialization theories. The claim that men with older brothers are more likely to be gay is associated with the 'fraternal birth order effect.' It posits that a mother's immune response may increase with each male pregnancy, potentially influencing the sexual orientation of subsequent male children due to changes in the prenatal environment affecting brain development. This hypothesis (a) suggests that biochemical factors may play a role in determining sexual orientation.

Differences in socialization practices based on gender roles can influence children differently, but these do not specifically link to a causal relationship between the number of older brothers and sexual orientation. Despite variations in gender expectations and the socialization of boys and girls, including activities being associated with masculinity or femininity, such practices have not been scientifically linked to affecting a person's sexuality in the same direct manner hypothesized by the fraternal birth order effect.

Answer 2

d. Mothers are more likely to unknowingly treat their youngest sons like daughters.

Step-by-step explanation:

This is because you find that the mother of the younger son is always hiding the young man from most things, thinking that they are protecting them from harm but its a different story.Mothers often spend more time with the boy because at times she will feel that hes being bullied by the older brothers and see the need of making sure that he is secured at all times.This in turn creates confusion in the young man because hes always surrounded by the female figure and ends up learning or picking up some of the female behavior.

Mothers choose to treat their youngest sons like daughters when they mostly have sons and not daughters.They do this by trying to close that void of not having a daughter by teaching their sons to do activities that females normally do.