Anyone want to help me tear this to bits?

[velvetpage]

http://www.christianpost.com/article/20061028/25636.htm

Here are the things I noticed:

1) The study doesn't recognize bisexuality at all. This is a major flaw, since there are at least half a dozen people on my friends list who identify as bi and are married/in heterosexual long-term relationships. Behaviour is only one indication of sexual preference, and it is not necessarily the definitive one.

2) There's an underlying equivalence here between "social" and "environmental" that needs to be challenged. Environmental factors could include physical things like pollution that are not controllable on an individual level but could have an effect (to the best of my knowledge, that has not been ruled out as a scientific factor - someone correct me if I'm wrong, please.)

3) The conclusion - "Taken together, the study’s findings suggest that intact parents bearing multiple children and living in rural areas increase the probability of heterosexual pairings in their children." Really. I thought it showed a connection - but I didn't see any evidence of causality. It seems to me that the more insular and religious your family life, the less likely you are to be open about your sexuality if it doesn't match expected norms, leading to fewer homosexual marriages. Thus, social expectations increase repression rather than decreasing homosexuality.

All in all, I dislike the tone that parents can avoid that most horrible of outcomes, a homosexual child, if they just obey the teachings of their church regarding their own marriages. Of course, it's what I would expect from this source, but still - it grates.

Comments

[snobahr.livejournal.com]

Fact is, Bisexuality slips below the radar because it's still too controversial and messes up too many people. You cross too many peoples' safe zones and upset more than you settle. As such, most folks who may be so inclined just do not go there. It's easier.

I agree with this statement (Hi, I'm bi/male preferred). I've found the biggest problem with people making sweeping statements about homosexuality vs heterosexuality is that any mention of bisexuality completely ruins everyone's arguments for a black-and-white argument/answer. I've found that the more rabid homo/hetero-phobes just can't wrap their heads around my stance - The plumbing is a secondary concern with regards to the person whose company I'm keeping.

[lee-in-limbo.livejournal.com]

Exactly.

Lee.

[ladyperegrine.livejournal.com]

*applauds*

I've heard it described as 'non-gender-fetished,' too, which I really like. :-)

(also bi, slightly male-biased)

[lasarina.livejournal.com]

I was told by one of my homosexual friends that "Bi-sexuals were really homosexuals who weren't admitting the truth (actually a bit cruder phrase) to themselves or others." *snort* I told her to grow up.

Bi, slight male pref, in a long-term relationship with another bi, slight female pref (we enjoy ALL the artwork ;)