Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

"Should These Conditions Be Normalized?"
NARTH ^ | : 12 June 2003 | Linda Ames Nicolosi

Posted on 03/11/2004 9:51:10 AM PST by little jeremiah

"Should These Conditions Be Normalized?"

American Psychiatric Association Symposium Debates Whether Pedophilia, Gender-Identity Disorder, Sexual Sadism Should Remain Mental Illnesses

By Linda Ames Nicolosi

On Monday, May 19th, 2003 in San Francisco, at a symposium hosted by the American Psychiatric Association, several long-recognized categories of mental illness were discussed for possible removal from the upcoming edition of the psychiatric manual of mental disorders.

Among the mental illnesses being debated in the symposium at the APA's annual convention were all the paraphilias--which include pedophilia, exhibitionism, fetishism, transvestism, voyeurism, and sadomasochism.

Also being debated was gender-identity disorder, a condition in which a person feels persistent discomfort with his or her biological sex. Gay activists have long claimed that gender-identity disorder should not be assumed to be abnormal, when, they say, it is usually an expression of healthy prehomosexuality.

Dr Robert Spitzer responded to the symposium as a discussant, urging that the paraphilias and gender-identity disorder be retained in the psychiatric manual.

Disagreeing, Psychiatrist Charles Moser of San Francisco's Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Sexuality and co-author Peggy Kleinplatz of the University of Ottawa presented a paper entitled, "DSM-IV-TR and the Paraphilias: An Argument for Removal." They argued that people whose sexual interests are atypical, culturally forbidden, or religiously proscribed should not, for those reasons, be labeled mentally ill.

First, they say, different societies stigmatize different sexual behaviors. Furthermore, the existing research cannot distinguish people with the paraphilias, they say, from "normophilics" (the term the authors use for people with conventional sexual interests), so there is no reason to diagnose paraphilics as either a distinct group, or psychologically unhealthy.

Besides, Moser and Kleinplatz add, psychiatry has no baseline, theoretical model of what, in fact, constitutes normal and healthy sexuality to which it could compare people whose sexual interests draw them to children or sadism/masochism.

Earlier, in the December 2002 issue of a prestigious journal, the Archives of Sexual Behavior, Moser--along with several other prominent mental-health experts--argued in favor of de-pathologizing pedophilia. Some of the commentators writing in that issue said that there is little or no proof that sex with adults is harmful to minors. Another mental-health expert argued that society should not discriminate against adults who are attracted to children--noting that many beloved authors and public figures throughout history have been high-functioning individuals who could actually be classified as pedophiles.

"Any sexual interest," Moser concluded in his Archives commentary, "can be healthy and life-enhancing."

Psychiatry's Method for Defining "Mental Illness" Has Changed Moser and Kleinplatz note that the A.P.A. once categorized a condition as a mental illness based on its psychological, emotional or developmental origins, along with the unconscious motivations that were theorized to cause the condition.

But during the last three decades, psychiatry has moved away from reliance on theories of causation--theories which, typically, cannot be verified--and instead sought direct, empirically provable evidence; not of the pathological origins of a condition, but of its disabling effect in the present. Without such evidence for observable distress and disability, a condition is generally not considered to be a mental disorder.

People with "sexually unusual" interests, Moser and Kleinplatz note, may in fact be quite happy and well-adjusted. But the APA's labeling of their conditions as "pathological" fuels social discrimination against them, Moser and Kleinplatz warn, which can lead to distress and discrimination that is psychologically damaging.

Furthermore, they say, since the A.P.A. has no concept of what "healthy sexuality" or even a "healthy personality" actually entails, then how can psychiatry presume to define "unhealthy" sexuality? And since many people engaging in these unusual behaviors are not "distressed" or "disabled" by their interests, how can the A.P.A. justify continuing to pathologize them?

"People with Paraphilic Sexual Interests Suffer Like Homosexuals Did Before the 1973 Decision" "The situation of the paraphilias at present," Moser and Kleinplatz conclude, "parallels that of homosexuality in the early 1970's."

Following the presentation of the papers at the symposium, Dr. Robert Spitzer responded with a defense based on a concept of natural law, as established by evolution.. Spitzer is the author of a study on change of sexual orientation that he presented at the 2001 American Psychiatric Association convention.

"Dr. Moser is incorrect," Spitzer said, "when he argues that there is no scientific basis for distinguishing the paraphilias from more common sexual behaviors. In all cultures, as children become adolescents, they develop an interest in sexual behavior. That is how we are designed - whether you believe this design is the work of God, or by evolution through natural selection. This design is clearly for the purpose of facilitating pair bonding and interpersonal sexual behavior.

"The paraphilias, when severe, impair interpersonal sexual behavior," Spitzer continued. "Sexual behavior that facilitates caring bonding between people is normal - and that which impairs it is abnormal, not merely an atypical variation. What is needed is more research on the treatment of the paraphilias, particularly pedophilia. To remove them from DSM-V would be the end of this much-needed research."

"More Research" Will Not Provide More Answers "What is needed is not more research," NARTH's Joseph Nicolosi countered in response to reports describing the symposium. "What psychology really needs for its advancement is not another study, but a more accurate worldview. That worldview must take into account our creator's design, which inevitably involves gender complementarity.

"And," Nicolosi added, "we must agree on those things that genuinely enhance human dignity. It's a measure of how low the psychiatric establishment has sunk, that it would even debate the idea that pedophilia, transvestism, and sado-masochism could ever be expressions of true human flourishing."

Psychoanalyst Johanna Tabin, Ph.D., of NARTH's Scientific Advisory Committee, also commented on the A.P.A. symposium. "If the arguments prevail that are given for ignoring these psychological problems, then suicide attempts must be considered normal when they are desired by the participants. And what about the sociopath, who--having no conscience--feels quite content with himself?"

"Uncommon 'common sense,'" Dr. Tabin added, "is sure to reassert itself--but in the meantime, the mental health professions are failing many suffering individuals by rigidly adopting political correctness as the guide as to when people need help.

"And the saddest thing about the current climate," she added, "is that people who ask for help because they are not at ease with homosexual impulses, right now are frequently forbidden to obtain it."

References

1. Moser, Charles and Peggy J. Kleinplatz, "DSM-IV-TR and the Paraphilias: An Argument for Removal," paper presented at the American Psychiatric Association annual conference, San Francisco, California, May 19, 2003.

2. Special Section: Pedophilia: Concepts and Controversy, Archives of Sexual Behavior, vol. 31, no. 6, December 2002, pp. 465-510.

Copyright © NARTH. All Rights Reserved.

Updated: 12 June 2003


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; Philosophy
KEYWORDS: apa; deviancy; dsm; dsmiv; homosexualagenda; icolosi; mentalillness; narth; nicolosi; pedophilia; prisoners; sadism
This article is less than a year old, but should be re-examined in light of the "gay" agenda's strategy of forcing homosexual marriage down our collective throats.

Pushing the envelope - breaking barriers, contempt for traditional morality and even common sense - these are the by-words and slogans of the "gay" community. After one barrier of sexual behavior is destroyed, others must be breached. That's the nature of the "gay rights" movement.

1 posted on 03/11/2004 9:51:10 AM PST by little jeremiah
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: *Homosexual Agenda; EdReform; scripter; GrandMoM; backhoe; Yehuda; Clint N. Suhks; saradippity; ...
Homosexual Agenda Ping - an article that was published more than half a year ago, but deserves reading. Contempt for every restriction of sexual behavior is the unifying mentality in the "gay" movement. Equal predation for all. (Unless you're the prey.)

Nothing and no one is exempt from being used as an object of perverse sexual gratification, so why should sex acts traditionally considered sick, depraved, illegal or sinful be sancrosanct?

Let me know if anyone wants on/off this ping list.
2 posted on 03/11/2004 9:55:09 AM PST by little jeremiah (...men of intemperate minds can not be free. Their passions forge their fetters.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: little jeremiah
"Should These Conditions Be Normalized?"

Definitely not. They should remain what they are. Deviant abberations.

3 posted on 03/11/2004 10:01:12 AM PST by davisfh
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: davisfh
You mean like homosexuality itself? Which was removed from the list a few years ago? :-\
4 posted on 03/11/2004 10:12:24 AM PST by the OlLine Rebel (Common Sense is an Uncommon Virtue)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: little jeremiah
Hey lj-- be careful Brother the concenred folk at the National anti-violence program will be charging you with Hate Crimes. they are already publishing via AP reports
how Hate Crimes have increased dramatically since the US
Supreme Court overturned the Sodomy Laws in Texas.
5 posted on 03/11/2004 10:12:32 AM PST by StonyBurk
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: davisfh
Dr.Spitzer has been attacked by the enemy repeatedly since
he came out and admitted that homosexuals can--and do change their "orientation" And since he anounced the seventies putsch to decriminalize or disallow homosexuality as Devient behavior in the DSM was motivated by those wanting to force the Gay rights issue. Want to have fun--just mention the name Dr.Nicolosi to one these
folk who teach it's "ok" to be gay.
6 posted on 03/11/2004 10:17:37 AM PST by StonyBurk
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: little jeremiah
"not of the pathological origins of a condition, but of its disabling effect in the present. Without such evidence for observable distress and disability, a condition is generally not considered to be a mental disorder."

As stated later in the article, a sociopath cannot be considered "ill". That would be folk like serial killers, slashers, rapists...they don't feel discomfort with their actions.
That means that there is little that is a mental illness. ADD? No, kids are ok...its the adults who can't cope. They are the ones who should be treated, not the kids.
Anything not physiological should not be treatable. Why should agoraphobia be a mental disorder, according to this?
And how can a homosexual get treatment if the Dr. is going to say he is normal?

The APA is fast becoming irrelevant. Is what they do "science"? Not in my mind, not anymore.
7 posted on 03/11/2004 10:24:16 AM PST by Adder
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: little jeremiah
If you live in a society where showing your ankle is considered to be a perversion, then you are perverse if you persist in showing your ankle.
8 posted on 03/11/2004 10:29:43 AM PST by Agnes Heep
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: little jeremiah
American Psychiatric Association Symposium Debates Whether Pedophilia, Gender-Identity Disorder, Sexual Sadism Should Remain Mental Illnesses

On Monday, May 19th, 2003 in San Francisco...

Where else????

9 posted on 03/11/2004 10:34:43 AM PST by Onelifetogive
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: All
And so the push to normalize pedophilia begins. In 30 years a man will be able to marry a 7 year old boy. Talk about defining deviancy down.
10 posted on 03/11/2004 10:38:00 AM PST by BadAndy (A Vote For Kerry is a Vote Against the War on Terrorism.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: BadAndy; All
And so the push to normalize pedophilia begins. In 30 years a man will be able to marry a 7 year old boy. Talk about defining deviancy down

We are no longer "slouching" towards Gomorrah. Why settle for a gradual decline into this condition when you can grease the skids and attach rocket motors.

11 posted on 03/11/2004 10:48:33 AM PST by AreaMan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: little jeremiah
Way back in the dark ages, homosexuality was in the handbook...
12 posted on 03/11/2004 10:50:18 AM PST by Old Professer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: little jeremiah
Bump


What We Can Do To Help Defeat the "Gay" Agenda


Homosexual Agenda: Categorical Index of Links (Version 1.1)


The Stamp of Normality

13 posted on 03/11/2004 12:10:56 PM PST by EdReform (Support Free Republic - All donations are greatly appreciated. Thank you for your support!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: the OlLine Rebel; Adder; lentulusgracchus; Bryan
Homosexual Activism in the APA and the Removal of Homosexuality from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)
14 posted on 03/11/2004 12:26:33 PM PST by EdReform (Support Free Republic - All donations are greatly appreciated. Thank you for your support!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Agnes Heep
Showing an ankle was never considered a perversion. I am not interested in discussing Taliban psychosis and hatred of women, anyway.

Immodesty in dress is what showing an ankle used to be, in our country a few generations ago. That is not germane to the discussion of normalizing sexual behavior that has been considered unhealthy, sick, perverted and wrong by every civilized society since the dawn of time.

And if Egyptian royal dynasties had brother sister marriage, or Papua New Guinea residents have kiddie sodomy as part of their rituals, I'm not interested either. I don't think the USA needs to consider barbarian societies as role models.
15 posted on 03/11/2004 4:24:35 PM PST by little jeremiah (...men of intemperate minds can not be free. Their passions forge their fetters.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: EdReform; All
Homosexuality not causing the homo stress is kind of like Clinton genuinely believing his lies. "It's not a lie if you believe it!" "It's not a disorder if you like it!"
16 posted on 03/12/2004 6:56:45 AM PST by the OlLine Rebel (Common Sense is an Uncommon Virtue)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson