From: cramer@optilink.UUCP (Clayton Cramer)
Newsgroups: ca.politics,talk.politics.misc
Subject: Re: Why "Child Abuse Causes Homosexuality" Really Doesn't Fly
Date: 16 Oct 92 17:19:31 GMT
Organization: Optilink Corporation, Petaluma, CA

In article <98761@bu.edu>, kane@buast7.bu.edu (Hot Young Star) writes:
> In article <195921@ipl.jpl.nasa.gov>
> pdb059@ipl.jpl.nasa.gov (Paul Bartholomew) writes:
# #Bagley & King--"Abuse of both males and females was overwhelmingly at the
# #hands of males, so the abuse of of boys was usually homosexual in nature."
# 
# #Faller--"The encounters with female victims were usually heterosexual (94%),
# #whereas for males they were usually homosexual (84%)."
# 
# #Please read these excerpts carefully.  They do not say what you claim they
# #do.  In fact, all they say is that the majority of molestations are done
# #by men (no surprise there).  They say nothing about the adult sexual
# #orientation of the molester.
# [...]
# #If the studies Brian cites support his claim, then I'd say the balance of
# #evidence is on his side.  Note that I said "if"; Brian hasn't posted the
# #relevant statements from his sources, either.
# 
# The upshot is that psychologists seem to still disagree whether pedophilia
# is indicative of sexual preference or of, rather, an arrested sexual de-
# velopment. Why do boy-molesters remark of the "feminine" qualities of their
# victims?
# 
# Suppose one day the evidence falls conclusively on Clayton's side: that
# married men who molest boys really are closeted homosexuals.
# 
# That alone would be reason for ENCOURAGING the equal validity of adult
# homosexual expression in our society, if only to keep give these men an
# opportunity to express themselves sexually without needing children.

Except that if you had your way, they couldn't be turned down for
jobs as teachers or in day care centers.

# #You do realize that you are implying that all homosexuals were molested as
# #children, don't you?  If that's what you intend to imply, why don't you just
# #come right out and say it?
# 
# What he implies is that most have pushed memories of molestation out of
# their minds. Too traumatic to deal with, you know.
# 
# I wasn't going to bring this up, since it is very personal, but I may as
# well, just to show you that all gay men have not been molested.
# 
# When I was very young, my parents were EXTREMELY concerned about my
# unnatural shyness. In addition, I avoided at all cost any rough-and-
# tumble play and all sports (which are solid indicators in themselves
# that a boy is more likely to become a gay man). At the time, shyness
# was not appreciated as having an organic basis. I was eight years
# old, and I had already recognized that men were more attractive to me
# than women. Of course it wasn't sexual---not until puberty.
# 
# Anyhow, shyness at that time was thought to be caused by some traumatic
# experience, and that this/these experience(s) could be brought out by
# hypnosis, and thus cure the child of shyness eventually. So in short,
# I went under hypnosis.
# 
# One would think that such a traumatic event as a molestation would surface
# under hypnosis. But NOTHING. Nothing at all surfaced. I'm just naturally
# shy. I've managed to overcome most of it, but I still HATE talking to
# strangers on the telephone, talking in front of people, and playing team
# sports.

Hypnosis is a very uncertain tool.  That's part of why it isn't
entirely accepted by the courts.  Subjects under hypnosis are
believed to be trying to please the hypnotist.  If the hypnotist
didn't want to find it, you might not have brought it out.

# Brian


-- 
Clayton E. Cramer {uunet,pyramid}!optilink!cramer  My opinions, all mine!
Lesson learned from Gov. Wilson's signing of AB 2601: if you don't get 
your way, have a riot.  Next time, Gov. Wilson will cower appropriately.
Newsgroups: ca.politics,ba.politics