Quantum Windbag
Gold Member
- May 9, 2010
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Human nature vs. Nature is an entirely different discussion.
As far as your last statement goes, we can be fairly certain that someone with gender identity issues is far less likely to pass its genes on to subsequent generations based solely on the un-natural condition in the first place.
Let's just apply that to the case featured in the OP:
Little boy's parents have managed to persuade the child that he is really a little girl. He's got all the boy bits, but mom and dad have twisted his little mind into something Nature never intended. So, it goes through life as a "girl". When it comes time to start dating, do you think it will develop romantic and sexual interest in males or females? Remember, the boy bits are disregarded, even hated, by this child.
If it develops an interest in boys, as would be normal for a girl-child, do you think the boys are going to be all the interested in it once they learn its dirty little secret? Maybe boys who have identified as homosexual, but normal hetero boys might find the extra appendage...off-putting. Regardless, boy-on-boy sex engenders no offspring.
If it develops an interest in girls, do you think normal girls will be interested in dating a boy who looks better in their clothes than they do? Considering the attitude this child has towards its 'masculine' member, would it consider heterosexual relations with another girl? Perhaps a chance of offspring, but not very likely.
If it mutilates itself to become "female", it may have sexual relations with other (unsuspecting) males, but there will still be no issue.
So what do you think? Much chance of passing those genes on to offspring? IF this were a genetic anomaly. Klinefelter's Syndrome is one of extremely few genetic anomalies I am aware of that might result in gender identity issues, and Klinefelter's renders its victims infertile. Hermaphroditism is another genetic anomaly that might render the victim 'confused' about their gender identity.
I don't think dating would be involved in a 'natural' environment. Dating is a human construct.
Certainly, depending on the nature of the gender identity issues, there's a strong possibility no genes would be passed on. It depends on just how such issues manifest I suppose. But we can't think of it in the context of human society if we are discussing a hypothetical 'natural' life. We'd be better served looking to see if there are any examples of gender identity issues in other primate species I think.
Regardless, my point was really that humanity has, through medicine and technology, allowed many traits to propagate that might not have done so 'naturally'. For example, I wear glasses. My eyesight is pretty poor without corrective lenses. In a survival of the fittest environment, which is how nature tends to function, either I or my ancestors would possibly not have lived because of this condition. People with any of a host of disabilities would quite possibly not survive in nature, but are able to do so because of our advances.
So, unless you want to advocate for a kind of eugenics to get rid of the traits you oppose, we end up having to take the good and the bad when it comes to what people pass along to future generations.
To be clear, I think the parents of this boy are idiots and quite possibly doing great damage to their son. I have absolutely no problem with parents letting children know about the different sexes and which they are a member of. I don't think a child of less than 2 years old is likely to have enough self-awareness or understanding to really form solid gender identity.
I just thought your comment about nature was a bit silly. I think it is, for the most part, a damned good thing humanity has managed to 'subvert nature', despite some examples to the contrary.![]()
And youre entitled to your opinion.
Just as the parents are entitled to raise their child as they see fit.
Trouble manifests, however, when those who hold such an opinion attempt to codify that opinion.
Which is why I oppose the idea of legislating allowing people to claim a gender other than the one they were born with.