"Are there any queers in the audience tonight?!"
Posted on 05/29/2009 2:14:00 PM PDT by Maelstorm
By Trayce Hansen, Ph.D.
Research by social scientists, although not definitive, suggests that children reared by openly homosexual parents are far more likely to engage in homosexual behavior than children raised by others. Studies thus far find between 8% and 21% of homosexually parented children ultimately identify as non-heterosexual. For comparison purposes, approximately 2% of the general population are non-heterosexual. Therefore, if these percentages continue to hold true, children of homosexuals have a 4 to 10 times greater likelihood of developing a non-heterosexual preference than other children.
Some researchers who uncovered sexual preference differences between homosexually and heterosexually parented children, nonetheless declared in their research summaries that no differences were found. Many believe they concealed their findings so as not to harm their own pro-homosexual, sociopolitical agendas.
All social scientists who conduct research in this emotionally-charged area have personal biases. That's a given. But if the authors of these studies want to be regarded as scientists, and not activists, they must set aside their biases and straightforwardly present their findings.
Regardless, no one should be surprised that homosexual parents are more likely to raise homosexual children. As one of the few forthright pro-homosexual advocates proclaimed, "Of course our children are going to be different."
In fact, many believe the percentages of non-heterosexual children in these studies would be even greater if more of the children had been raised from birth by openly homosexual parents. But most weren't. A majority of these children actually were born into and raised by mother-father couples before one of their parents "came-out" and the parents divorced.
Findings from the best and most recent twin studies have found that homosexuality, unlike eye color, is not genetically-caused. But there are a number of non-genetic mechanisms through which homosexuality could be transmitted from one generation to the next. Those mechanisms include role-modeling, social learning and differential reinforcement, as well as outright encouragement of non-heterosexuality by parents or others.
No one knows for sure by what complex mechanisms homosexual parents disproportionately rear homosexual children. But regardless of how, it appears they do. The public needs to be made aware of the findings of these studies so that when courts adjudicate and citizens vote on issues related to homosexuality, they're fully informed as to the possible consequences of those decisions on children.
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For a review of the research studies alluded to above, as well as additional analysis and references, see article entitled, "A Review and Analysis of Studies Which Assessed Sexual Preference of Children Raised by Homosexuals."
"Are there any queers in the audience tonight?!"
No way. Get out of here. Children don’t learn from watching their parents, etc. /sarcasm
No, not really. While it is tempting to simplify it to a matter of "homosexuals cause homosexuality," the data reported here are not sufficient to draw that conclusion.
Consider:
If there is a "born that way" component to sexuality, it would manifest itself as a desire to engage in homosexual behavior.
Whether one acts on those desires is an entirely different matter -- one that is probably mostly governed by social constraints.
What this study shows is that kids are more likely to act out on the desire; but it does not address the source of that desire.
One rather obvious interpretation of these data is that there are fewer socially-imposed constraints against homosexual behavior in such households, and thus the kids are more likely to act out on whatever urges they have in that direction.
The idea that being in such a household actually causes homosexual behavior is also plausible, for a variety of reasons -- but this study does not justify the conclusion that it is the only reason why people have homosexual desires.
I would also note that Dr. Hansen is paid to take a particular position on the subject of homosexual behavior. As such, I am disinclined to take her comments on this study as definitive.
It is axiomatic that humans are able to override most “normal” biological imperatives, including sexual design. With higher species intelegence comes the ability to choose, or be influenced to choose, counter-productive or even self-destructive behavior. No desired sexual activity is more “normal” for mankind but homosexual mating is definately un-natural, our true nature being biologically heterosexual. When evermore sexual pairings occur outside this designed nature, and to the extent these choices are reinforced by societal acceptance, the species is denied offspring and inches closer to extinction.
I don’t like the way those homos rear kids.
Is that perhaps because the straight majority isn't in your face announcing their sexual preference and habits? Could it be that you don't notice how many are normal because we're not demanding your open approval?
“No, not really. While it is tempting to simplify it to a matter of “homosexuals cause homosexuality,” the data reported here are not sufficient to draw that conclusion.”
I was referring to the nature v nurture debate...which, I believe, is explicitly addressed...whether or not she is paid, the results would indicate, in this case, that nurture has more to do with behavior than nature...
I expect it may not be more than 2%, at least openly, in the heartland in part because so many move to the major cities—and so that number seems right to many Freepers, but for those of us in blue-state cities the percentages are much different.
My first thought exactly!!!!
I don’t like the way those homos rear kids.
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That is sadly funny, but probably very true as well.
From the article:
"Therefore, if these percentages continue to hold true, children of homosexuals have a 4 to 10 times greater likelihood of developing a non-heterosexual preference than other children."
Passed genetically from the parent?
She mentions that ... but she's not justified in her certainty even there. The causes of human behavior are enormously complicated and, in at least some cases, behavior have a definite genetic component, even if that component is not soley responsible, and even if one can identify no specific gene to cause it.
An interesting example of this effect in animals, is that domesticated animals, which bred in part for certain behaviors, are much more likely to have spots ... the point being that the genetic aspects of behavior may be spread across the genome in unpredictable and hard-to-identify ways.
In any case, the fact remains that this particular study has nothing conclusive to say on the matter of nature vs. nurture in the origins of homosexual desires, which are not the same thing as homosexual behavior.
whether or not she is paid, the results would indicate, in this case, that nurture has more to do with behavior than nature...
But that's just it: the "nature" part of the question would be manifested on the "desire" side of the equation, whereas "nature" would be more likely to affect the likelihood of acting on the desires.
BTW -- the reason why I bring up the fact of her being paid is to highlight the fact that she's got a vested interest in making you think a certain way; and at the same time, she's got a vested interest in minimizing any discussion of evidence that runs counter to what her think-tank says.
She's essentially a lobbyist, in other words -- and I don't trust any lobbyist to give me an impartial and objective view of whatever snake oil they're trying to sell.
2% is grossly exaggerated. I think the number is closer to 0.1% based on the ratio of gay to straight marriages in states like Massachusetts.
Like the large number of homeless people debunked long ago, the numbers of gays has overstated to suit the leftist political agenda.
Possibly ... but as I was saying above, the data reported here don't say much about the origins of homosexual desire, which is what the genetic component, if any, would help to explain.
The study is more likely indicative of a relaxation of social norms against acting out on homosexual desires of whatever origin, than they are an indication that homosexuals cause homosexual desires in others.
LOOKS LIKE WE WILL HAVE TWO aMERICAS AFTER ALL!
THOSE WHO CHOSE TO PROTECT AND HOLD TO THE TRUTHS
AND THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO CHANGE THE TRUTH!
do I really have to say it???
Duh! LOL!
And childred dipped into the sewage of public schools also have a greater chance of becoming sodomites. (Have these folks never heard of propaganda and indoctrination?)
A big whopping DUH!
Kids raised by homosexuals are more likely to be victims of pedophiles.
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