3 ms·

Homosexuality was once considered a disorder, and is now very broadly accepted to be a trait. Could you at least entertain the idea that this could parallel wit

Homosexuality was once considered a disorder, and is now very broadly accepted to be a trait. Could you at least entertain the idea that this could parallel with autism? In anticipation of some pseudoarguments in the vein of, ‘a disorder causes trouble for the individual; homosexuality does not while autism does,’ consider that, until recently, being openly gay was very much a social hinderance. In a better-structured world, we may have significantly more suitable accomodations for autistic people that would alleviate the societal difficulties they currently face.

WhyNotHugo 6y ago
Being left-handed was once considered a terrible disease (and still is in some parts of the world). Autism in pretty much the same: things are perceived and done differently, but that doesn't mean people are broken. Following this metaphor, the real problem is that society keeps making only scissors (and mice) for right-handed people.
antibuddy 6y ago
Homosexuality has no characteristics of a disorder in the first place, thus the example is not equivalent. >In anticipation of some pseudoarguments in the vein of, ‘a disorder causes trouble for the individual; homosexuality does not while autism does,’ ... Actual autistic people suffer because of everyday stimuli. Not being socially accepted is just a different problem, but it shows how "spectrum" autism is often used as an excuse. PS.: Homosexuality was never defined as a disorder. It was labelled a disorder after the fact, because the definition is not the impairment but your preference for the same sex.
redis_mlc 6y ago
My understanding of the science from watching one documentary is that a sequence of 3 hormones are needed at an early stage of development to activate heterosexuality in men, otherwise the baby is gay. So it doesn't sound 100% DNA-related, though that could influence hormones. I wouldn't use the word "trait" exactly, which implies genetic inheritance, but maybe "expression." Related paper - "Prenatal endocrine influences on sexual orientation and on sexually differentiated childhood behavior" https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3296090/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3296090/ Not sure tha we know where autism comes from.

WhyNotHugo 6y ago

Being left-handed was once considered a terrible disease (and still is in some parts of the world). Autism in pretty much the same: things are perceived and done differently, but that doesn't mean people are broken. Following this metaphor, the real problem is that society keeps making only scissors (and mice) for right-handed people.

antibuddy 6y ago

Homosexuality has no characteristics of a disorder in the first place, thus the example is not equivalent. >In anticipation of some pseudoarguments in the vein of, ‘a disorder causes trouble for the individual; homosexuality does not while autism does,’ ... Actual autistic people suffer because of everyday stimuli. Not being socially accepted is just a different problem, but it shows how "spectrum" autism is often used as an excuse. PS.: Homosexuality was never defined as a disorder. It was labelled a disorder after the fact, because the definition is not the impairment but your preference for the same sex.

redis_mlc 6y ago

My understanding of the science from watching one documentary is that a sequence of 3 hormones are needed at an early stage of development to activate heterosexuality in men, otherwise the baby is gay. So it doesn't sound 100% DNA-related, though that could influence hormones. I wouldn't use the word "trait" exactly, which implies genetic inheritance, but maybe "expression." Related paper - "Prenatal endocrine influences on sexual orientation and on sexually differentiated childhood behavior" https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3296090/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3296090/ Not sure tha we know where autism comes from.