Note 26 — V

The following statement of Hans Freimark on the Züchtbarkeit der Homosexualität displays excellent insight into human nature: “It does not require much psychology to note that some persons are particularly impressed by and interested in whatever popular belief ascribes as particularly characteristic of homosexuality. Repression against homosexual deeds is in itself almost invincible. But that which is considered the very essence of homosexuality acts apart and frequently does so in a sense far from proper. It is enough to induce young men who have no other claim to distinctions to try to imitate these ‘singular doings’ and they become finally interested in the acts.... Once the pose is assumed, it becomes part of reality, and then contact with the homosexual circle contributes not a little towards strengthening the attitude. Such an influence, naturally, is possible only among young people. But the young are the ones who generally raise the problem at all. It has been assumed that in view of the constancy of the instinct, such a complete shifting from one sex to the opposite is most unlikely. But since all investigators admit a certain period of indifference, and since it is admitted further that during that period the individual may abandon himself to an eroticism contrary to the form adopted finally, the possibility cannot be excluded that weak characters may be turned away from their original developmental goal.”