Posted by Nalod:
Does milk that gets HOMOgenized do it by choice? Or environment?
Marv needs to chim in on this "4 0f 5 dentists reccomend trident gum!"
Marv, whats your profession view this peversion we call "homosextuality?"
the psych world takes a stance now that homosexuality is a naturally-occurring phenomenon and not a disorder. the 'cause' is thought to be largely biological, though environment and temperament may have impact as well. there's disagreement about how much of a spectrum exists of sexual orientation or if it's more dichotomous. in other works, is there a lot more flexiblity in most people's sexual orientation or is it more set in stone? certainly has implications for all the 'choice' questions, doesn't it?
there's also controversy in the use of treatments to 'change' someone's orientation. years ago it was not uncommon for someone to seek therapy to repress homosexual desire. there was of course traditional talk therapy meant to 'analyze' the cause. there was also behavioral treatment in the form of aversive conditioning. you show someone pictures of naked men (i don't think too many women signed up for this) while you deliver moderate electrical shocks to them, sometimes directly to the nuts. that'll kill a buzz, won't it? then again it could conceivably enhance someone's if they were a masochist, right? hmmmm. anyway, some practitioners want to still practice treatment to 'convert' homosexuals and challenge the prevailing powers of the profession.
at any rate out in the real work of psychology practice the majority of people who seek help these days regarding sexual orientation are addressing their confusion about their orientation or are distressed about a conflict between sexual desire and preferred self-image/lifestyle. believe me this can be an extremely debilitating situation for people. having a healthy sense of self includes being able to express yourself sexually. when people can't integrate that into their lives it crates tremendous stress, to the point where it can wreck someone's life or lead them to suicide.
as far as some of the questions on this thread, the profession would respond that sexual interest in a child is a distinct disorder, and not related to sexual orientation.
as far as "causing" someone to become gay, the response would be that the desire wouild have been already there, even if in dormant form. it wasn't created by the other person.
as far as amaechi or swoopse's motivation for publicizing themselves, besides the possible personal monetary gain, the larger benefit would be for society to become increasingly tolerant of people living openly gay lives and to decrease fear, stigmatization and hatred based on sexual orientation.
all right, that's the psych soapbox for today.
2/21/2007 11:14 AM