Conservatives, especially the "race realists," reject the idea that social constructs can influence a person's intelligence or ability to fit into society. They believe that certain kinds of people are just stupid or criminal "by nature" and that there is no amount of social engineering that can change that. There's one exception to this, however and that is sexual preference. A person's intelligence or criminality are significantly influenced by their genetics, but their sexuality? That is somehow a choice. Conservatives believe that, unlike criminals, homosexuals can somehow be rehabilitated.
Consistency is not a strong quality of the right.
While I believe that a person's sexuality can be influenced by social constructs (Homosexuality in ancient Rome was not only more accepted, but genuinely more common), this can only be done within limits that are at least somewhat biologically determined. The possibility of technology that can grant us further knowledge and control over our biology, however, would mean that, although we may not be entirely free to choose our own sexuality, we will certainly be able to control the sexuality of our children.
Insofar as sexuality is beyond a person's control, it makes no sense hold someone morally responsible for the kind of person to whom they are or are not attracted. However, even if homosexuality becomes increasingly tolerated, will parents who have they option to manipulate their children's sexuality continue to leave it up to chance?
Saturday, March 10, 2007
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