Page:Homo-sexual Life by William John Fielding (1925).pdf/26

 whatever criticisms we may make upon it, we must allow that it does not exceed the complexity of the real facts of Nature.

As we observe from the foregoing, there are many and conflicting ideas regarding homosexuality, but I believe no concept of this phenomenon is so satisfactory as that based on psychoanalytical data, as developed from the teachings of Freud.

Taking into consideration the findings of all the analysts, it seems to me that Stekel's conception of the problem, summarized as follows, is pre-eminently the most logical and valid:

"All persons originally are bisexual in their predisposition. There is no exception to this rule. Normal persons show a distinct bisexual period up to the age of puberty. The heterosexual then represses his homosexuality. He also sublimates a portion of his homosexual cravings in friendship, nationalism, social endeavors, gatherings, etc. If this sublimation fails him he becomes neurotic, since no person overcomes completely his homosexual tendencies. Everyone carries within himself the predisposition to neurosis. The stronger the repression, the stronger is also the neurotic reaction which may be powerful enough in its extreme form to lead to paranoia. If the heterosexuality is repressed, homosexuality comes to the forefront. In the case of the homosexual, the repressed and incompletely conquered heterosexuality furnishes the disposition toward neurosis. The more thoroughly his heterosexuality is sublimated the more completely the homosexual presents the picture of a normal healthy person. He then resem-