Hi Joan- I'm not sure which "excellent" research you are refering to. Perhaps you could provide some citations. For a broad overview of the research in this area the following site might be useful: http://members.aol.com/slevay/page22.html
-Don. ----- Original Message ----- From: Joan Warmbold <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Monday, March 13, 2006 3:20 pm Subject: Re: TV alert: Speaking of nature/nurture > I read that article sent by Stephen and found no "conclusive > proof" that > parenting is not part of the picture relative to sexual > orientation. > Around 15 to 20 years ago I recall reading excellent research on > how the > relationship the child has with the same-sex parent was a relevant > factor. Specifically, it was usually stated that it was a > necessary though not > sufficient condition for a son who had a homosexual orientation to > havehad an abusive, absent or powerless father. How could this > sound data > that was widely discussed more than a decade ago now be totally > ignoredand dismissed? I feel it's another example of political > correctnessguiding what type of data we look for and possibly even > what type of > research projects that receive support and funding. I understand the > motivation behind this as we so don't wish to lay guilt trips on > parentsnor make any group feel that they have a certain > characteristic due to a > family dysfunction. But aren't we scientists, first and foremost? > Apparently not. > > A very interesting related issue is that the brains of children > who are > abused develop differently in many ways and one brain structure > that is > usually smaller is the hypothalamus. There's lots of research on > this and > no one has any problem with that. (For a very interesting read on > this I > would recommend Floyd Skloot's book, "In the Shadow of Memory.") > Well, it > also has been determined that a majority of gay men had a smaller > hypothalamus than the group of straight men--though I recall the > samplewas fairly small. I find it unfortunate though not > surprising that no one > is willing to discuss or explore this parallel between the brain > development of abused children and the brain development of some > gay men. > > I realize that this is a very sensitive and delicate issue and > don't wish > to offend in any way. I simply feel truly sad that political > correctnessis guiding so much research on how early experience > impacts our future > development. It simply flies in the face of all the superb > research on > the incredible plasticity of our brains and how experience strongly > impacts the development of brain structure and brain chemical > balance. I > also think that the idea that our brain structure and brain > chemistry can > be dramatically altered by experience is somehow counter-intuitive > to many > people for reasons I don't quite understand. To the contrary, > wouldn't be > odd for the brains of animals to be hard-wired from birth with no > abilityto change and adapt relative to our experience? > > Joan > Joan Warmbold Boggs > Associate Professor of Psychology > Oakton Community College > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > >> > >> It's called "The science of sexual orientation" and it's about > you- > >> know-what, not that there's anything wrong with that. > Hopefully, the > >> programming will proceed from halfback to brokeback on schedule. > >> > >> Helpful description at: > >> > http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/03/09/60minutes/main1385230.shtml>> > >> Stephen > > >> > > > > > > > --- > You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-tips- > [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
