2006-06-13 01:28:08 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Homosexuality used to just refer to committing a homosexual action (i.e., a behavior). Our modern-day western culture has recast homosexuality as an identity issue, however, rather than as a behavior issue. This leads to some confusion over what "change" actually means.
There are a lot of issues to "reversing" homosexuality:
1. Was the "gay identity" accurate to begin with? (We are constantly looking for similar things around us to compare ourselves to, hoping to find something that clicks. As part of that search, some people who identify themselves as gay later decide they were never "gay" as an identity after all, and thus are not really "reversed.")
2. How much does our own will play a part? While idealistically in the western mind, "willpower" can do anything, realistically will is far more often used to make small incremental decisions that eventually mold and shape us, rather than one large decision that completely turns us around.
3. Can emotions just be ignored or turned off? Usually emotions come from some hidden well deep within and we're just stuck with deciding how to respond, rather than whether to feel them or not in the first place.
You will have some "miracle" stories of people who claim to not be gay, and you will have some stories of people who claim change is ridiculous and undesirable.
Realistically, from what I have seen, if someone really believes that their homosexual orientation is something harmful or wrong, they can commit to living a life where they do not practice homosexual behavior. However, they must still deal with the feelings of attraction and any other frustrations coming from that decision.
In time, feelings go up and down; things might get easier in some ways, things might not. They might be able to enjoy or find value in certain aspects of a heterosexual relationship, even if the homosexual relationship is what really spins their gears without effort.
It's not an easy road for most people who take it. The mainstream psych orgs claim that reorientation is impossible and unnecessary and disparage it. There are smaller organizations and individual psychiatrists/ psychologists/ counselors who believe that patients who desire to commit to that sort of change should be supported and provided with whatever therapy and resources they need to find success and contentment.
In the end, as with any therapy, it's really up to what the patient wants to commit to and what he is willing to live with.
2006-06-13 02:12:09 · answer #1 · answered by Jennywocky 6 · 3⤊ 4⤋
As you can see from many of your responses, homosexuals are are not really accepted. Because of this they tend to live a very difficult life. Many turn to suicide to escape from this pain of non acceptance. Why would anyone choose to live a life where you can be alienated from your family and friends? Would you choose to be a leper? I think not. Is heterosexuality reversible? Can you make a heterosexual man fall in love with another man? On the surface you can have a homosexual perform the actions of a heterosexual, this however does not mean it as been reversed. It only means that they are doing what has been expected or requested of them.
2006-06-13 11:13:14 · answer #2 · answered by ckoneonme 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Still today, some extremists consider homosexuality as an illness.
In some cases, people change without any known reason - and sometimes, specially girls turn to other girls after having really nasty experiences with men. Here a therapy could change the situation.
2006-06-13 08:35:17 · answer #3 · answered by swissnick 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are approaching this problem from the wrong angle. Homosexuality has two components, feelings and behavior. Feelings change of their own accord and in their own time. Behavior is almost always changeable but not necessarily reversible.
2006-06-13 08:35:26 · answer #4 · answered by Huey from Ohio 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Reversible? The answer is yes. Any person with enough will power is in complete control of their life. People who encounter miracles, increased strength, people who were once addicted to drugs or cigarettes and suddenly quit, all of these people could probably quit being gay if they truly wanted to. However, if you're gay and you know you're gay, and you like being gay... then, well, 'you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink.' You know what I mean?
2006-06-13 08:36:50 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of course not. Do you think that a heterosexual can be "reversed" into a homosexual? It's ridiculous! People are what they are, just accept them for that.
2006-06-13 14:15:59 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on if your homsexuality is by choice. If you chose to be a homosexual then yes, I believe you can change it. But if you were born to be a homosexual then I think you would be trying to go against what you were predetermined to be. It would be like trying to be right brained when you are actually a left brained person.
2006-06-13 08:36:51 · answer #7 · answered by Laura H 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, prior to the 70's it was considered treatable and there are many cases where it was treated and reversed.
It is not natural and the perverted morals of todays society will not accept it as an ailment.
2006-06-13 08:33:10 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
homosexuality is something an individual chooses to be... and like all other choices, u could choose to go on or quit...
so u are just a choice away from being a normal person again...
i hope u choose right... cause being gay is outright weird and abnormal...
cheers!
2006-06-13 09:53:27 · answer #9 · answered by Rare Gem 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, just think of the cases where it did reverse
2006-06-13 17:54:14 · answer #10 · answered by marydazetwentyone 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋