Criticisms of Weinberg's Model of Understanding Own Bisexuality

Weinberg et al. (1994) applied this theory's concept and found that people were going through several steps to reach a bisexual orientation. Originally, individuals encountered uncertainty about emotions and behaviors.

Next the person identifies and starts to apply the 'bisexuality' tag and soon begins to feel confident with the identity. Weinberg et al. (1994) applied this theory's concept and found that people were going through several steps to reach a bisexual orientation. Originally, individuals encountered uncertainty about emotions and behaviors. Next the person identifies and starts to apply the 'bisexuality' tag and soon begins to feel confident with the identity.

In fact, initial confusion is the first stage in the development of bisexual identity. Bisexual individuals ' confusion centers on their uncertainty about accepting attractions for both sexes (Fox, 1996). This misunderstanding can result from self-applied and social pressure to conform with heterosexual norms.

It can happen in a small community when dealing with a bisexual identity. Whether it's a home, work or school community (Wolf, 1992). The concept of marginality also results from this confusion in that the individual does not have a clear group membership. Confusion, like the other experienced emotions, can be shared in the support group's normalizing environment, which is an important part of the lives of many people. Whether it's a home, work or school community (Wolf, 1992).

The concept of marginality also results from this confusion in that the individual does not have a clear group membership. Confusion, like the other experienced emotions, can be shared in the support group's normalizing environment, which is an important part of the lives of many people. Feeling confusion, doubt and struggles. Examples include feeling attracted to member of both sexes. Initial feelings that the heterosexual and homosexual labels do not fit. Then having to face a world of homophobia when attracted to the same sex.

The second stage is Finding and applying the label. Recognizing the bisexual label and seeing if it fits oneself. Having sexual experinces with both men and women and feeling attraction to both. Coming to the conclusion that there is no need to choose between both sexes or a heterosexual and homosexual identity. Then, hopefully experiencing a positive support from others when they identify with bisexuality.

The third stage is: settling into the identity. This requires More self-acceptance and a decrease concern for what others think about bisexuals. Most increased self-acceptance comes from support from others, knowledge of other people who identify as bisexual through media, reading or direct contact. Lastly, receiving courage from the bisexual community.

The last and final stage is - stage 4: Continued uncertainty. Many periods of doubt can consume the mind of members of the bisexual community. They can doubt themselves because of their lack of validation, lack of bisexual role models and dating one sex monogamously.

While these models provide a basic understanding of bisexuality and the bisexual experience, many have criticized the model. There are a handful of experinces when it comes to the stage models. One criticism is that it emphasizes experiences of individuals and doesn’t accurately represent as the population as a whole. Bisexual individuals find self-acceptance a very difficult process after years of trying to deny their same-sex thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. When this self-acceptance is achieved, it is often difficult to realize acceptance from others. If family, friends, and colleagues know their orientation, the individual may feel exposed and humiliated. Because of what sociologists call 'marginality,' there is no community of bisexual people to which they clearly belong.

Perhaps the biggest failure of current sexual identity development models is that they usually focus exclusively on lesbian and gay male development, completely ignoring bisexuality. In fact, most publications about the development of sexual identity do not even mention the word bisexual in the title To some extent, this is a historical issue. With a few notable exceptions, it was not until the late 1980s and early 1990s that social scientists studying sexual orientation began to pay significant attention to bisexuality.