Reparative Therapy
Kyesha Fields
Mr. Huston
English IV Senior Term Paper
09 November 2012
Is Reparative (Conversion) Therapy Okay? Throughout history there has been much controversy surrounding the topic of human beings sexual orientation. Whether it they are straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered, people like what they like. In some cases, many people believe that they are born with certain urges that attract them to either the same or maybe even the opposite sex. The number one question that has been asked in today’s society is that if using reparative therapy is okay. Although many people believe in using this therapy, they should steer away from practicing it because it is unethical, there is no proven cure, and it often leads to an increased number of depression and suicide among teens. While wanting to change one’s self for their own well being is okay, this reparative therapy has been forced upon most homosexuals to “help” them be better suited in today’s society. This process is unethical because it is “based upon the assumption that homosexuality per se is a mental disorder” (Lies). Why should: gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered people are made to look like they have mental problems when in all actuality the problem is our society’s homophobia? According to the American Psychological Associations code of ethics, “psychologists are forbid from making false or misleading statements about the scientific or clinical basis of the services” (Smith) Yet therapist practicing conversion therapy are allowed to tell their patients about the lonely life that comes with being a homosexual. Who are they to know or even say what the life a homosexual is like if they have never experienced it? Most of these “therapist” lead heterosexual lives and would not know the first thing about the way that a homosexual lives. So while they are teaching and trying to convert people to heterosexuality, should they not first know the facts of what they are trying to change?
Mr. Huston
English IV Senior Term Paper
09 November 2012
Is Reparative (Conversion) Therapy Okay? Throughout history there has been much controversy surrounding the topic of human beings sexual orientation. Whether it they are straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered, people like what they like. In some cases, many people believe that they are born with certain urges that attract them to either the same or maybe even the opposite sex. The number one question that has been asked in today’s society is that if using reparative therapy is okay. Although many people believe in using this therapy, they should steer away from practicing it because it is unethical, there is no proven cure, and it often leads to an increased number of depression and suicide among teens. While wanting to change one’s self for their own well being is okay, this reparative therapy has been forced upon most homosexuals to “help” them be better suited in today’s society. This process is unethical because it is “based upon the assumption that homosexuality per se is a mental disorder” (Lies). Why should: gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered people are made to look like they have mental problems when in all actuality the problem is our society’s homophobia? According to the American Psychological Associations code of ethics, “psychologists are forbid from making false or misleading statements about the scientific or clinical basis of the services” (Smith) Yet therapist practicing conversion therapy are allowed to tell their patients about the lonely life that comes with being a homosexual. Who are they to know or even say what the life a homosexual is like if they have never experienced it? Most of these “therapist” lead heterosexual lives and would not know the first thing about the way that a homosexual lives. So while they are teaching and trying to convert people to heterosexuality, should they not first know the facts of what they are trying to change?
Cited: Johnson, Ramon. "Does Ex-Gay Therapy Work?" About.com Gay Life. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Nov. 2012. . "The Lies and Dangers of Reparative Therapy." Human Rights Campaign. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Nov. 2012. . Meyer, Alison. "PolicyMic." PolicyMic. N.p., n.d. Web. 06 Nov. 2012. . Smith, Matthew. "Conversion Therapy Hurts Innocent Children." Daily Aztec. N.p., 8 Oct. 2012. Web. 6 Nov. 2012. . Szalavitz, Maia. "Why California’s Conversion Therapy Ban Is Only the First Step | TIME.com." Time. Time, 12 Oct. 2012. Web. 06 Nov. 2012. .