Sumblog 5
Thursday, March 6, 2014
"Sissy Boy" and "passing"
The discussion in this week's class regarding "passing" , or how we are perceived by a group ( or not), seemed a concept without the charged emotions of some of the other weeks. That was until I watched the "Sissy Boy Experiment" clip and felt the real pain and horror that can come from not feeling connected, not having your expectations, feelings and beliefs for yourself not be in sync with what others believe. The experiment done in Kirk, (Kraig), done by primarily Rekers in the 1970's had the tragic end in 2003, when the man took his own life. His belief that something was wrong with him, that he would never fit it, was all due to his treatment by his parents and professionals who wanted to "help" him fit in better. I hope that today we have come a long way from thinking that any child who is "different" needs intervention and changing, but instead the focus is on contentedness with self and uniqueness of individuals. Rekers now is no longer with the Family Research Center, is considered a disgrace. His works are still cited and supported. He released a book in 2009, 3 years after Kraig committed suicide, and lists him by name and states he was gay and committed suicide. He believes his techniques are still legitimate and help prevent homosexuality. I can't decide what part of this story makes me the saddest or most disappointed. My belief that most people are good when put to the test is getting shakier and shakier.Why can't we accept others for what and how they are no matter what our personal beliefs are?
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You did a very good job of discussing the concept of passing. When I thought about that concept I didn't think of the individuals who experience passing in such a negative way in which they take their life. I know that passing occurs everyday but I guess I never think about the extreme cases of passing. I also found that clip to be very sad. I don't understand how people think that their helping is the right and possibly the only way for another individual. If people who want to help just take a step back and evaluate the situation they may be able to actually help an individual live their life how they want. I find that video very sad because if the family and professionals only helped him in a more supporting type of way maybe he would have not taken his own life. People need to just realize that what they think may be the best may not actually be the best for another individual.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed your outlook on the concept of passing. It is terrible what some people have to go through every single day and try to survive..and some don't. It is a depressing thing to think about, most definitely, but it something that our society has shaped to be, unfortunately. Every single person is a human being and should be treated like it.
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