Best of Sex & Relationship - Can homosexuality be cured?

Keisha Shakespeare-Blackmore, Staff Reporter

With the passage of time, the acceptance of same-sex relationships in our society has increased. On March 12, Flair's Sex and Relationship feature looked at the topic, 'Can homosexuals be cured?' This generated a lot of debate among the homosexual community. Below are excerpts from the feature.

Jamaica is considered to be a highly homophobic society, but in recent times, more homosexuals have been 'coming out' of the closet.

In February, there was wide-ranging discussion after a number of homosexual commercial sex workers spoke out on a current affairs television programme. Many viewers were astonished that they were so bold, while others were angry. Others felt a sense of compassion, believing that homosexuals were 'sick' and needed help.

Clinical psychologist, Dr. Asquith Reid, said whether a homosexual can be cured depends on how you define it. "If you look at it from a religious perspective where homosexuality is seen as wrong and a sin, then certainly, they can be cured.

"If it's a matter of choice, then you can choose to or not to engage in such practices. But if you think it is biological, then it would be hard to change."

Other view

Chris, 24, is a commercial sex worker who sells his body to men. He is from an inner-city community in Kingston. When Flair asked him if he believed homosexuals could be 'cured', his immediate response was, "Yes. I was not born like this."

"I believe that homosexuals can be cured because we were not born like this. It is just the mentality, and often a homosexual is like a child who sees certain things and wants a certain lifestyle."

Reaction

After the feature hit the papers on March 12, many readers lashed out and emails poured in. Below is one response:

First of all, sexuality and sexual desires are not things that people acquire, develop or catch along the way. They are innate. They are part of our psychological and emotional make-up. In essence, a homosexual man has absolutely no sexual desire for women.

In the same way a straight man was born with desires for females, a gay man was born with desires for men. Sexuality can't be learned. Just like hunger, sex is a natural need. Nobody can teach a man to be gay or straight. Ask a straight man if anybody taught him to have an erection for a woman, and he will tell you no. Ask a gay man if anybody taught him to have an erection when he sees an attractive man and he will definitely say, no way, José!

In response to Chris' view, what he doesn't understand is the difference between being gay and living a whoring life. So, when he speaks about change, it's not change from being gay to straight. It's about a change of lifestyle, that is, stop having sex with men for money. But, if he is truly gay, his desires for men will never change.

So, to answer that question, no, there is no cure, because there is no need for one.

Nobody but a gay man knows the unspeakable pleasure that two men derive from being entangled in a passionate embrace.

Kids die a decade younger than their parents

A countrywide survey on the lifestyles of children aged between 10 and 14, has revealed that kids are eating too much junk food and too few vegetables, prompting risk of dying a decade younger than their parents.

The survey conducted on more than 1,000 British children has underlined fresh warnings of a threatening obesity epidemic.

The study showed that 62 per cent of the kids did not eat the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables a day and almost 18 per cent had less than three full portions a day.

About 39 per cent did not have breakfast every day, despite the recommendations that it is the day's most important meal and a quarter had it four times a week or less.

Further, a fifth of children admitted to going without any lunch at least once a week, while 63 per cent had at least one takeaway meal a week with their families, exposing them to high levels of fat, sugar and salt.

The figures also established that the youngsters were at a further risk of obesity as they did not do enough physical exercise or play any sport.

Approximately 17 per cent did not exercise at all, while 48 per cent exercised for less than an hour a day.

The statistics were alarming for Dr David Haslam, clinical director of the National Obesity Forum.

"It's often correctly stated that fast food, or takeaways are 'ok' as an occasional treat, but the kids having at least one takeaway per week are the same kids who have at least one trip to McDonald's a week, and no breakfast or physical activity, so for these kids, the risk stacks up alarmingly," the Telegraph quoted Haslam, as saying.

"These are the kids who will become obese, and lose a decade of life," he added.

Under age boozing also spurred fresh concerns among the campaigners.

The figures revealed that more than 72 per cent of the youngsters had tried alcohol and more than 29 per cent had actually been drunk.

A significant number were regular consumers of drinks like alcopops, cider and lager to brandy and vodka.

However, majority of the children, that is 95 per cent, had not tried cigarettes undermining earlier government figures saying nine per cent of youngsters were regular smokers.

Mother and daughter give birth four days apart

London, Decemeber 31 : A mother and daughter have given birth to two beautiful babies - just four days apart.

Amanda Nesling, 41, delivered a 2lb baby boy Curtis Leeroy William White seven weeks early.

And days later, Nesling's 18-year-old daughter Natasha gave birth to Brooke-Ellie.

"We were both surprised at one another's pregnancy and that they would be so close together," the Mirror quoted Natasha, as saying.

Nesling's son, who was due in January, is in a special care baby unit until February.

Sex education should be imparted to kids as young as five

London, Dec 30: A leading public health doctor has suggested that sex education lessons should be imparted to schoolchildren as young as five, in an effort to fight the rising levels of teenage pregnancy and sexual diseases.

Dr Charles Saunders, chairman of the British Medical Association's Scottish consultants' committee, cautioned that the safe-sex messages were provided so late by schools, that many teenagers were already exposing themselves to avoidable risk.

Saunders also called for secondary schools to hand out condoms and other forms of contraception to children from the age of 13.

Scotland's sexual health record is one of the worst in the western world, with cases of teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases on a constant rise.

"It needs to start at quite an early age, because if you leave it until they are 12 it is too late because some are already experimenting. It probably needs to be started off when children start school. You need to start laying the groundwork to help them and empower them to make decisions and turn things down," the Scotsman quoted Saunders, as saying.

"At five it needs to be a language that they understand and taught in the same way as any other subject. It should start off with relatively simple concepts in the same way as English and science start off with the basics. It could start off with how babies are made and progress from there.

"You need to start somewhere and it makes an awful lot of sense to start long before it's needed, because if you leave it too long you are wasting your time," he added.

He further said that sex education should not be limited to anatomical drawings, but should also include the pros and cons of having sex.

"Basically sex education needs to be a whole lot better. It's not just anatomical drawings but what the risks are from infections and what the pros and cons are of having sex or waiting," he said.

"It's not a simple task to get young people empowered enough to use condoms, but it's the key. You want to ensure people are not having sex when they don't want to have it, and that when they do want to have it they are not putting themselves at risk," he added.

Saunders said that all schools should also provide contraception to pupils.

"Particularly in rural areas, schools may well be the only way that pupils can access contraception. It may well be that as time goes on it would make sense to have emergency contraception in schools," he said.

Sex education should be imparted to kids as young as five

London, Dec 30: A leading public health doctor has suggested that sex education lessons should be imparted to schoolchildren as young as five, in an effort to fight the rising levels of teenage pregnancy and ...

Teenage pregnancy target missed

Efforts to cut the number of teenage pregnancies are to be stepped up after an official assessment found the Government was set to miss a target to halve the rate by 2010.

The Department of Health's annual report concluded that "progress needs to accelerate", with the cut in the rate of conceiving under-18s so far reduced by only 11.4% since 1999.

Although that is the lowest for more than two decades, the total number of pregnancies is up and the UK now has the highest rate in Western Europe.

Critics said the admission of "slippage" in meeting the target was evidence that the Government's strategy was failing.

Norman Wells, of the Family Education Trust charity, said ministers had overseen the "systematic removal of every restraint that used to act as a disincentive to under-age sex".

"The problems associated with teenage pregnancy will never be solved so long as the Government persists with its reliance on yet more contraception and sex education," he told the Sunday Telegraph.

The Government came under fire from some campaigners earlier this month when it announced plans to make the Pill available without direct authorisation of a doctor. An interview with a qualified pharmacist would be sufficient to obtain the oral contraceptive.

A spokesman for the Department for Children, Schools and Families, which is jointly responsible for the target, said: "Our Teenage Pregnancy Strategy is working - teenage pregnancy rates are at their lowest for 20 years. We made a commitment to reduce the teenage conception rates and to improve the quality of life for all young people, and we are already delivering on that.

"However, we make no apology for setting stretching targets and will be redoubling our efforts to continue to reduce the rate of teenage pregnancy by 2010."

Five High-Paying Careers in Two Years or Less

Feel like the absence of a bachelor's degree on your resume is forcing you to settle for a second-rate job? With today's myriad opportunities to earn certificates and associate degrees, you can change your career, your salary, and your life in just a short amount of time.

Check out these five high-paying careers -- no bachelor's degree required!

1. Dental Hygienist

Employment of dental hygienists is projected to grow much faster than average for all occupations through 2014, ranking among the Bureau of Labor Statistics' list of fastest-growing occupations.

To practice in a dental office, hygienists must earn an associate degree or certificate from a school accredited by the American Dental Association Commission of Dental Accreditation. A base of biology, chemistry, and math courses are advised, and program coursework will include clinical, laboratory, and classroom instruction.

Median annual earnings: $58,350.

2. Fashion Designer

In this creative field, an inherent artistic ability and eye for detail, color, balance, and proportion are necessary. Ingenuity is key, as are sewing, pattern-making, and sketching abilities.

Designers usually hold at least a two-year associate degree in fashion design or fine arts. They must be knowledgeable about textiles, ornamentation, fabrics, and fashion trends, and exhibit communication and presentation skills, problem-solving abilities, and the willingness to work occasional long hours and travel to trade and fashion shows.

Median annual earnings: $55,840.

3. Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

Also known as ultrasonographers, diagnostic medical sonographers can specialize in obstetrics and gynecology, abdominal or breast sonography, or neurosonography.

A strong background in math and science is recommended, as associate degree coursework will include anatomy, physics, and physiology. A good bedside manner enables the sonographer to explain complex procedures to patients and reassure those who fear the health matters the testing may reveal.

Median annual earnings: $52,490.

4. Forensic Science Technician

You've seen the TV shows -- these professionals collect and analyze physical evidence and document laboratory methods and findings. Computer skills and attention to detail are crucial as collection and processing of materials must be spot-on to safeguard evidence.

Forensic science technicians should develop a strong base in math and science as preparation for their associate degree, typically earned in applied science or science-related technology. Coursework will include laboratory work and hands-on learning. Once in the field, technicians can choose to specialize in a certain type of analysis or examination.

Median annual earnings: $44,010.

5. Paralegal

Lawyers assume ultimate responsibility for legal work, but they often delegate tasks to paralegals, also called legal assistants. Paralegals help prepare for trials, hearings, and meetings; investigate facts; identify appropriate laws and decisions; and, after analyzing and organizing information, prepare and present reports of their findings.

Most paralegals have an associate degree in paralegal studies, however, intensive certification programs are also available and can often be completed in just a few months.

Median annual earnings: $39,130.

All salaries listed are median annual earnings based on 2004 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).