Conversion Therapy: Banned for Adolescents One of the main topics at the top of American political and social debate has been surrounding the subject of homosexuality. Whether in the form of civil rights, the gay marriage debate, homosexuals adopting, homophobia or discrimination, this controversial topic has many factions, and given the current high profile of gay marriage, the issue surrounding homosexuality in our society is far form over. Another facet of the debate, however, is not on radar of most people in our society. That topic is over the use of sexual orientation conversion efforts (SOCE), which some believe is a method by which one can change their same sex attraction (SSA) and remove homosexuality from a patient. This practice
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In short, because there is not conclusive evidence regarding the issue whether SSA is a choice or the successfulness of SOCE means that the therapy should continue to be practiced. The National Association of Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH) is one of the leading non-religious affiliated organizations of professionals who support the use of SOCE. In their Journal of Human Sexuality, they claim “researchers found that clients participating in efforts to change unwanted homosexual attractions or behaviors are not generally harmed by doing so” (2009). NARTH also notes that the American Psychological Associations (APA) stance on recommending that their professionals not participate, encourage or suggest the practice of conversion therapies is the wrong approach and their claims lack sufficient or conclusive proof. Douglas Haldeman, a psychiatrist and clinical faculty member of the University of Washington, says “problems with conversion therapy studies is sampling bias. It is nearly impossible to obtain a random sample of research to assess outcomes in a way that does not contaminate the scientific process with social bias” (2002). In the NARTH journal they make mention to this point themselves that “research on reorientation therapy is more robust, even though it largely falls short of the ‘gold standard’ of research” (2009). The claim that the lack of evidence, is in fact, evidence itself of success or that conversion therapy works or even sage, takes advantage of those who are questioning their sexual orientation and furthermore promotes parents to believe that this will work for their
In short, because there is not conclusive evidence regarding the issue whether SSA is a choice or the successfulness of SOCE means that the therapy should continue to be practiced. The National Association of Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH) is one of the leading non-religious affiliated organizations of professionals who support the use of SOCE. In their Journal of Human Sexuality, they claim “researchers found that clients participating in efforts to change unwanted homosexual attractions or behaviors are not generally harmed by doing so” (2009). NARTH also notes that the American Psychological Associations (APA) stance on recommending that their professionals not participate, encourage or suggest the practice of conversion therapies is the wrong approach and their claims lack sufficient or conclusive proof. Douglas Haldeman, a psychiatrist and clinical faculty member of the University of Washington, says “problems with conversion therapy studies is sampling bias. It is nearly impossible to obtain a random sample of research to assess outcomes in a way that does not contaminate the scientific process with social bias” (2002). In the NARTH journal they make mention to this point themselves that “research on reorientation therapy is more robust, even though it largely falls short of the ‘gold standard’ of research” (2009). The claim that the lack of evidence, is in fact, evidence itself of success or that conversion therapy works or even sage, takes advantage of those who are questioning their sexual orientation and furthermore promotes parents to believe that this will work for their