title: Sexual orientation as destiny.
abstract: The article argues that social constructionists are referring to labels applied to sexual orientation while essentialists are discussing sexual orientation itself. Although a review of the literature shows that various labels are applied to sexual orientation, these labels do not markedly affect its reality. Sexual orientation, defined as erotic attraction rather than sexual behavior, is established at an early age and largely immutable in adulthood.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D007062:Identification, Psychological; D008297:Male; D011330:Prisons; D011606:Psychosexual Development; D011902:Rape; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012931:Social Environment; D012933:Social Identification