NEWS HIGH GEAR, MARCH, 1977
WHAT PHYSICIANS TELL PARENTS TO DO WITH KIDS
In its most recent issue, The Medical Journal of Human Sexuality published the opinions of several psycholigists concerning homosexual
development in children. The "well-rounded" assertions were to help parents deal with homosexuality in their offspring. Most of the advice ranged from hopeless resignation to treatment of the children and even treatment of their parents as well!
The anti-homosexual sentiment in the article is particularly alarming in view of the popular credibility attributed to the journal as well as its wide circulation among medical doctors. The American Medical Association is one of the few national
professional
organizations which has not yet recognized gays as a legitimate minority nor officially endorsed gay civil rights.
We are including representative excerpts here:
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ROBERT W. DEISHER, M.D., Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle:
For the
younger child one must bear in mind that normal sexual development includes considerable experimentation and for a great many adolescents this includes a certain amount of homosexual experience.
If the individual is older and his most frequent and preferred sexual contacts are with members of his own sex, parents should above all not become panicked by the information. They should realize that their attitudes and behavior toward their child are not going to change his sexuai behavior; and rejection at this time could be traumatic for the young per-
son.
Acceptance of the situation does not necessarily mean approval. Parents should, first become informed as possible on the subject of homosexuality so they can better understand their son or daughter. If the young person is having emotional problems and difficulty accepting himself and his sexual identity, then outside professional help is indicated. However, if this is not the case, psychotherapy would probably be ineffective and pressure exerted may merely produce alienation.
PHILIP H. HEERSEMA, M.D., Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Stanford University Medical School, California:
The awareness that a child may be homosexual calls for the same serious consideration parents would give any other crippling condition of their child. I say "crippling condition", because I do not consider homosexuality a normal, healthy life style any individual
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may elect to adopt.
In early adolescence there may be a normal homosexual phase in the individual's development. To be fixated at this level, however, is to be denied the full range of development. psychosexual Such an adult represents a less than whole person.
It is true that many homosexuals have achieved success in the social, cultural, economic and scientific worlds. So have persons crippled in other ways Beethoven, who was deaf, for instance, and Milton, who was blind yet each is denied a fullness of life that is everyone's goal.
Parents' concern should be controlled and contained. The major emphasis in the the possibly approach to homosexual child should be parental self-examination. It has long been my conviction that the homosexual is "made" and not "born."
It is to be kept in mind that this is not a willful choice of behavior but rather the effect of environmental influences, and at this point a child cannot be held countable for the direction in which his emotional drives have taken him.
ac-
CHARLES W. DAVENPORT, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Children's Psychiatric Hospital, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor:
Certainly, recent studies indicate that gender identification as male or female becomes established in the firs three years life and that such gender identity depends overwhelmingly upon the child's sex of rearing rather than upon the child's biological
sex.
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At all times, and particularly in the sexual area, parents should be empathic, understanding, and accepting in the relationships they have with their children.
One should bear in mind that although gender identity is fixed at an early age, psychosexual development does continue throughout childhood and adolescence. Therefore the diagnosis of homosexuality is not ap-
propriate
until late
The
adolescence. preschool child normally is given a rather clear and concise concept of appropriate dress and behavior for his or her sex. When young children are given an inconsistent picture of their sexuality, they may demonstrate it either in their behavior or dress. This may be directly reinforced by their parents. In such cases treatment measures to alleviate the sexual deviation are best directed toward the parents. Regardless, definitions of what it means to be homosexual are so varied and imprecise that we are on safer grounds when we speak of persons having homosexual interests or engaging in homosexual behaviors than when we try to label a particular person "homosexual." t If con-
sultation fails to change family dynamics and the child's misidentification continues, one should refer such children and their parents for psychiatric evaluation and psychotherapy.
In summary, sexual confusion in children is not an uncommon finding. Although the symptoms may be transient, one should not expect all children to "grow out of it." Such symptoms require psychological investigation and consultations by the primary care physician if indicated.
IRVING BIEBER, M.D., Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, New York Medical College, New York City:
When homosexuality appears in a child raised in an intact family, in my clinical experience I have always found evidence of a disturbed relationship between the child and either both parents.
If the young adult decides against treatment, and the parents are upset by such a decision, it would be wise if they themselves sought psychiatric help or advice on how best to accommodate to the reality of the situation.
ALAN BELL, Ph.D., Senior Research Psychologist, Institute for Sex Research, Indiana University, Bloomington:
Any teenager who has begun to conclude that he or she is homosexual on the basis of certain sexual fantasies, behaviors, and interests needs every opportunity to explore his or her reaction to this discovery, to sort out a host of feelings, and to become more knowledgeable about the range of meanings and outcomes associated with a homosexual orientation. Parents who are able to provide their son or daughter with this kind of opportunity will help to promote certain core feeling states in their children which will go far in enhancing the quality of their sexual lives, regardless of the sexual orientation in which they are lived.
JACK C. WESTMAN, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, The University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison:
If, however, parents learn of their youngster's homosexual behavior from him or her directly or from incontrovertible
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evidence, the most important need is for discussion directly with their son or daughter. Before doing so, however, parents may well profit from obtaining information about homosexuality through discussion with a physician, mental health professional, or clergyman. It is important for parents to be aware of current knowledge about the frequency, significance and styles of homosexual behavior.
My personal view is that homosexual behavic in itself between consenting adults is not an indication for psychiatric involvement, largely because the individuals involved may not be motivated for treatment and because there is no social justification for direct modification of their behavior. On the other hand, I believe that psychiatric consultation is indicated for a younger person heading toward a homosexual life style, and that parents should obtain professional evaluation of the feasibility of treatment.
If under the age of
14, the youngster as well as each parent should enter treatment with a carefully chosen, competent therapist who has a sophisticated knowledge of how to treat the condition. After the age of 14, the effects of improved parental attitudes on their son's or daughter's sexual life rapidly decrease though they never become insigifnicant. Thus, if changes in sexual adaptation are to be effected, major attention must be directed to the child.
By about the age of 17, or certainly 18, the decision to alter sexual preference must be left up to the individual.
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