Racism & homophobia are mental illnesses though aren't they?

Question

http://www.homelandstupidity.us/2005/12/12/racism-homophobia-are-mental-illness/

Some mental health practitioners are seeking to study whether pathological bias, such as severe racism or homophobia, constitutes a mental illness. Such a decision would have far-ranging consequences both in mental health practice and the criminal justice system.

And in the California prison system, psychiatrists are already treating pathological bias with anti-psychotic drugs.

Answer 1

I don't think they are necessarily mental illnesses, unless you categorise fear, stupidity, and hatred as mental illness.

It's just a lack of understanding, a feeling of moral superiority, and a diluted image of self worth that causes an individual to be homophobic or racist. They think their opinion matters, and above all, their opinion is supreme.

Maybe it is a mental illness, now that I think about it. I think delusional people would be classified as mentally ill! Damn, I worked it out for myself in three paragraphs!

Answer 2

homophobia is in basic terms a word. this is been utilized out and in of context. some anybody is irrational and unusual approximately homosexuality. yet with the aid of fact somebody is against it, isn't homophobia, maximum, if no longer all religions condemn it. And with the upward thrust in acceptance has bring about further and extra experimentation with those that are no longer gay with the aid of nature. So, is all of it that unreasonable? how many further and extra anybody is fascinated by it? Have experimented with it, with the aid of fact this is everywhere in the television and in video clips, and on the cyber web. If somebody is gay this is effective, yet i've got worry-free an entire mess of those that are so blended up and don't be responsive to who or what they're, with the aid of fact of it. And there are gay those that went after immediately people and ruined marriages and have had intercourse with babies. no longer all gay people do such issues, and their are immediately those that do those issues as nicely, yet confusion isn't a sturdy element.

Answer 3

That's very interesting. I would say that typically racism and homophobia are a result of two things: fear of the unknown and having those norms of hatred drummed into your head from an early age on. But it really makes sense that it can become so extreme that it becomes a mental obsession leading to criminal behavior.

Answer 4

I think religious fanatics suffer from mental illness... As for the ones you mentioned - anything is possible, but is ignorance an "illness?" I doubt that pills will reverse racism or homophobia. People who "suffer" from those things were simply subjected to brainwashing (improper parenting, religious beliefs) or from a negative experience (with someone of another race, culture...)
I believe that offering positive information and education (about gays and races) to children and ignorant adults is the only "cure."

Answer 5

Hmmm, I'm not sure bigotry is a form of mental illness. It's something you can teach children. Our view of others comes from what our parents put into our heads. Also, it might come from personal experiences.

I hate to say this, but racism and homophobia have been around for thousands of years, long before America.

Answer 6

I admit I didn't read the link.

But I do have an opinion on the question in general.

I do not think racism and homophobia are mental illnesses.

They are often present in people who have mental illnesses, but do not, by themselves, indicate mental illness.

Both racism and homophobia are learned. Irrational fear and hatred of another group of people isn't the result of lacking mental health care. It is caused by indoctrination.

Answer 7

When George Orwell wrote 1984, people thought things could never really be that bad. Now it looks like they could actually be worse.

So, let me get this straight, if someone doesn't agree with the opinions of general public, they'll be put on psychotic drugs until they learn to conform? That is just about the scariest idea I have ever heard.

If we let this happen, how long until disagreeing with the government is seen as a mental disease?

Answer 8

I heard that the need to create new mental disorders to explain away societal ills is a mental disorder. Currently I am looking into to medication to control Raider fans.

Answer 9

I don't think they are mental illnesses.

Just because someone dislikes a person based on their race or their sexual orientation doesn't mean something is wrong with their head.

Using the logic you provided to us, if a person dislikes certain foods, hot weather, cold weather, etc. does the person have a mental illness? I don't think so.

Answer 10

It seems people want to label everything an 'illness' these days, and find a drug for it. Taking those types of drugs only leads to problems, and makes you a mindless zombie. If people want to be racist and homophobic, then let them, it's their right as humans, as long as they don't physically hurt anyone.