Is it ethical for parents to try to prevent or “change” their child’s homosexuality?
The participant that receives the most points from the voters is declared a winner.
Voting will end in:
- Publication date
- Last updated date
- Type
- Standard
- Number of rounds
- 3
- Time for argument
- One day
- Max argument characters
- 10,000
- Voting period
- Two weeks
- Point system
- Winner selection
- Voting system
- Open
Pro- Duh
Con-oh hell no
You cannot say “I love you” in one breath and crush their identity in the next.
You cannot love someone and simultaneously wish them into someone else.
, “It’s out of love.”Oh, darling—love doesn’t come with conversion therapy.Love doesn’t say, “You’re broken.”
Let’s get one thing straight here—your child’s sexuality is not a parental DIY project.
You are not “protecting” the child. You are protecting your own discomfort- your own insecurity. And if you think that’s parenting, then let me introduce you to a little word called harm.
Studies by the American Psychological Association and UNICEF have consistently shown that attempts to change a child’s sexuality—whether through control, coercion, or the silence of shame—lead to increased rates of depression, self-harm, and suicide.
You cannot say “I love you” in one breath and crush their identity in the next.
“Parents shape beliefs like how a child eats, speaks or sleeps.”
“Love means wrestling with the truth.”
“Respect doesn’t mean full agreement.”
“Religion gives moral consistency.”
“It’s not hatred—it’s moral duty.”
“If you are telling them [parents] to abandon their belief instantly, you’re basically asking them to abandon their own identity.”
- You can not ask me to respond to your arguments on the basis of religion or on the basis of this or that. It's on me to decide how I want to reply or on what grounds I want to reply. Get over it.
- What has religion has to do with someone deciding their gender? Homosexuality is one's personal choice, no religion, no parent, no friend, no government or anything can force them into changing it. It's NOT ethical. Loud and clear.
My opponent wants me to review his argument only on the basis of religion.Wants to dictate what I must do in my round?Sweetheart, this is a debate, not a religious sermon. And if you’re playing God, then I’m here to bring the thunder.
You said I have to “rebut using religion”?Excuse me? Trying to write my argument for me? That’s rich- especially coming from someone who spent half their round romanticizing fear and the other half soft-launching spiritual gaslighting.
Parent's fear does not excuse harm. You don’t get to traumatize your child and then cry “but I was scared” or “I wanted everything to be normal”. That’s not parenting. That’s cowardice hiding behind culture.
You can’t ‘encourage’ heterosexuality like it’s an after-school hobby. This is not chess club, this is someone’s identity.
If your version of love makes your child feel like a theological crime scene, it’s not love.
Trying to change someone’s identity is psychological violence.
Religion isn’t a free pass to moral immunity.
If your beliefs can’t coexist with your child’s existence, maybe it’s not the child who needs changing.
RFV
(See Comments #29 and #28 of this debate, for a lengthier RFV)
Pro worked the angle of how much/hard change is pursued, 'very well.
And managed to counter many of Cons arguments such as it still causing damage, or the value of individuality.
Con I think made errors, by not more pursuing their sources/citations of pushback damage.
As well as neglecting making arguments of why/what makes Individuality and Homosexuality Good or Neutral values.
While Con raised a minor amount of logical points - this was overshadowed by his rude, dismissive, arrogant, inappropriate and defensive stage performance.
Really, this was an adolescent rant dressed up as an intellectual analyses.
Can't really blame though, him since his bio reads:
"Obsessed with truth, allergic to nonsense. I debate because silence isn't my strong suit. Interests: public policy, legal theory, and calling out lazy arguments."
Furthermore, Con used a vastly - appeal to emotion argument - with immensely painful execution. Along with centering many arguments around fallacies such as ad hominem.
Pro on the other hand, calmly threw Con off his carnival stage through kindly dismantling his and rudeness and arrogance, along with his emotion induced points.
Additionally, Pro cited multiple verified and credible sources which further his arguments.
Furthermore, Pro systematically broke down Con's points and used solidified evidence rather than emotional appeal.
In conclusion,
Pro appropriately engaged in this debate through professionalism, organization, citation and effective dismantling of points.
While Con ultimately led a stage performance, with little to no logical points, along with no citations at all for many bold claims.
Con used fallacious styles of argumentation such as ad hominem.
I refer Con to these sites as a kind helping gesture - https://www.holidify.com/pages/carnivals-in-india-3538.html
- https://www.talktoangel.com/best-therapists-in-india
Debate Title
My 'first instinct, is that 'most current society would say no.
Course I imagine there is 'still many religious individuals not 'fond of homosexuality.
. . . What if I switched it, to Is it ethical for parents to try to prevent or “change” their child’s heterosexuality?
Well, then I have a reaction, a clear dislike, course one hears some cultures were pretty gay in history. Pederasty in ancient Greece. Course even 'current culture wouldn't like that much, because of power imbalance, underage thing.
Cultural norms eh?
. . . What else ought I compare sexuality then? Favorite color? Political views? Philosophy?
Arguably we try to change our kids already, school education/indoctrination and all that.
Current society probably wouldn't like a parent naming their kid Adolf and raising them as a Nazi. Though I still don't 'like that, I don't have the same knee jerk against it.
Freedom of family and all that. . . I 'would have a knee jerk against a family raising it's kid under obviously false conspiracy theories.
Course 'then one can get into a Theist and Atheist problem. Though I don't think it's 'so clear myself, it is to the hardliners on either side.
Well, I look forward to reading the debate anyhow.
Pro Round 1
Forfeit. Not 'ideal.
But Con seems to accept Pro's apology and excuse.
Con Round 1
Eh, love 'can come with conversion therapy. Try to 'convert someone out of drugs for instance. Or try to encourage someone on what one thinks is the moral right path in life.
Though I suppose people 'can be misguided sometimes.
Church groups who burn D&D books for instance, I'm not 'certain they're a path to the Devil. Though an argument 'could be made.
Morality is often confirmative.
Good argument though, on "increased rates of depression, self-harm, and suicide"
Including sources would help though.
. . . I'd imagine drug addicts can get those as 'well, when getting off drugs. So I'm not sure it's the 'best argument. But that depends on how Good/Neutral/Bad homosexuality ends up argued in the debate. Drugs, people usually see as bad, Homosexuality, many might say Neutral or equal Good to Heterosexuality.
'Some Ethics is about catering to social comfort, duty.
Depends which Ethics you ask though.
Con makes an alright argument, appealing to individuality and arguing that attempts to change a child’s sexuality could be harmful.
Pro Round 2
'Possible mistake, or Possible advantage.
When Pro say's "Coercive", something I realize, is the debate does not state how 'hard a parent has to try to prevent or change their child's homosexuality.
It's 'great you two are 'referencing stuff, but I think accessible sources are 'ideal.
Makes religious argument, but I think their 'strongest point in this round, has been in arguing for softer more accepting methods in changing their child's sexuality.
This currently has them winning in my book,
But I think Con can make a comeback.
. . . Just because a religion believes X, may make it 'understandable for them to encourage X, but X could still be a practice that 99% of current society finds immoral. Or in this case neutral, to people who view homosexuality neutrally.
So Con 'could push the view that while soft pushing for a child to change their sexuality isn't 'as bad as Coercive Conversion therapy, it 'still ends up as bad, just far 'less bad. No matter the parents motivations.
Con Round 2
Well, in a 'sense Con 'will have to use religion. But that's by the definitions of people who view even atheistic group ethics/morals/beliefs as a religion.
Con 'has been using Individuality in their argument, and that 'is often a shared group value.
I'm 'not highly convinced by Con's arguments that we cannot rewire identity.
Even as adults, government attempts such on us, soft 'or hard.
But as 'children 'especially, parents and governments take 'great interest in developing us towards their ideals.
If one wanted a positive outcome, then a level of acceptance 'would be ideal. Even if one disliked celibate monks.
Not a 'fan of all the sweetheart or honey, used by Con.
Con makes a point that conformity isn't 'everything.
But we 'do raise our kids not to be 'purely self interested, even if such might help them more.
We see a 'duty to society, and raise them not to steal, to care for others.
The 'existence of studies is great, but 'sources are needed, whether 'links or 'exactly what I need to Google.
I'm not 'fully convinced that trying to change someone's sexuality would 'always be harmful.
Fair number of bisexual by nature individuals, might not be too harmed by nurture, one way or the other.
Well, my vote is still with Pro.
Valuing personal identity 'so strongly, I don't think is working for Con, given how much society molds kids.
And a Value 'is Religion in a way. A group holds a Value Sacred, and by that pursues it. Doesn't matter if they 'call it religion or not. It's a normalized within that society value.
. . . I think Con would do better to argue homosexuality as not harmful or wrong and argue it a greater wrong to try to change someone's individuality, than to accept it. But accept softer means as 'less wrong than hard coercion.
It could 'still end up wrong, and per the debate title, count as a win.
Pro Round 3
"Note that con will also have to make rebuttals based on religion." Pro Round 2
Well, doesn't 'really matter, and one could argue Pro meant religion is going to factor into the debate, being so world popular.
Means and Motivation VS Ends?
Subjective, Objective. . .
Pro makes a good argument with how much society at large is encouraging different sexualities, different moralities, beliefs.
Pro argue the existence of tough love.
Religious parents can 'still be 'wrong though.
Even if someone has the right 'motivations, and is influenced by their own past, they can 'still make the 'wrong decision (Subjectively/Objectively/Depending on One's Beliefs)
. . . Well, maybe.
Con 'did need to do more, to substantiate their high valuing of Individual Identity.
They also could have pushed harder at potential wrongs, even if slight, by the influencing of the parents.
As well as made arguments for homosexuality not being wrong. Never 'mind the parents motivations.
At this point, I'd give Pro a 'strong lead.
Con Round 3
Ah Con, I think you could have done 'so much better by going over and 'strengthening again your argument that 'any pushback or attempt to change their child's sexuality can have 'some negative effects.
Pro has some 'answers to that, such as acceptance, or arguing that pushback on 'any identities can have a negative effect.
But Con should have made stronger arguments normalizing Homosexuality as something not 'needing to be changed, unlike heavy drug use.
What does that mean?
Sorry I’m a bit new to that
- - - Shane.Roy’s original vote - - -
While Con raised a minor amount of logical points - this was overshadowed by his rude, dismissive, arrogant, inappropriate and defensive stage performance.
Really, this was an adolescent rant dressed up as an intellectual analyses.
Can't really blame though, him since his bio reads:
"Obsessed with truth, allergic to nonsense. I debate because silence isn't my strong suit. Interests: public policy, legal theory, and calling out lazy arguments."
Furthermore, Con used a vastly - appeal to emotion argument - with immensely painful execution. Along with centering many arguments around fallacies such as ad hominem.
Pro on the other hand, calmly threw Con off his carnival stage through kindly dismantling his and rudeness and arrogance, along with his emotion induced points.
Additionally, Pro cited multiple verified and credible sources which further his arguments.
Furthermore, Pro systematically broke down Con's points and used solidified evidence rather than emotional appeal.
In conclusion,
Pro appropriately engaged in this debate through professionalism, organization, citation and effective dismantling of points.
While Con ultimately led a stage performance, with little to no logical points, along with no citations at all for many bold claims.
Con used fallacious styles of argumentation such as ad hominem.
I refer Con to these sites as a kind helping gesture - https://www.holidify.com/pages/carnivals-in-india-3538.html
- https://www.talktoangel.com/best-therapists-in-india
Great job on your debate!
The fact that you centre your initial set of sentences around me "crying into my debate champion 2017 certificate from model UN' points towards you commending my style of debate even whilst providing a painful attempt of a "jab back".
I used whiplash as a personification of parental discipline, something your self centered mind couldn't comprehend due to being gate kept in denial.
You helplessly ramble on in regard to me being "insecure" or "casually racist". While having no ground to call me insecure and misinterpreting my arguments in order to call me "casually racist".
Due to your profile, I am aware of your place of origin.
Referring to your country, currency and national events does not make me "casually racist". It means I'm culturally aware.
None of my writing has included "emotional breakdown energy", as I only gave logical and evident analyses based upon your fallacious methods of debate. Which by only reading few sets of arguments. Already indicate strong use of straw man, red herring and ad hominem.
I never "spat out slurs". Lying will not boost your performance in any argument. Your parents should've thought u that.
Cultural elitism = the belief that some cultures, or aspects of culture, are inherently superior to others.
Your claim that my arguments have implication of "cultural elitism" are merely your own fantasized perceptions, as I never once suggested superiority of other cultures compared to India.
Arrogance = An attitude of superiority manifested in an overbearing manner or in presumptuous claims or assumptions.
- implies exaggerated self-importance, often with a lack of respect for others.
Confidence = A feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something; firm trust.
- implies trust in oneself or others without belittling anyone else.
The listing of the definitions alone tear down your whole entire perception that you are "confident" rather than "arrogant".
You act as a severely entitled troglodyte, belittling others through your maliciously prideful way of speech, and verbal attack.
Lastly, my debate space is of intellectuals who are capable of effectively dissecting arguments, applying logical points of interest, effectively making use of evidence, etc.
The only correct thing you've stated in our threads of exchange is that you don't belong in that space, my space.
"You’re not my judge or my intellectual equal. You’re just background noise."
If these affirmations comfort you, I will allow you to continue.
In conclusion,
You are arrogant. You misinterpret arguments and use many fallacious variations of argumentation.
You attempt to provide more of your pathetic "comedic roasts" which ultimately miss helplessly.
I'm going to ask that you both take a breath here and refrain from attacking each other too personally in these responses. Seeing a lot of attacks on each other personally that stretch the limits of the CoC.
@Shane lines like "I'd personally strap you down into their office for mental examination" and "Although maybe if your parents did physically whiplash you more, you wouldn't be a brat with an over inflated ego" are particularly inappropriate.
I can't help but laugh. Stop throwing tantrums on me ans lucystarfire. There it is. The fragile masculinity manifesto disguised as feedback. Tell me, did you write that before or after crying into your ‘Debate Champion 2017’ certificate from Model UN?
Let’s start with your ‘critique’, if you can call that deeply unhinged monologue critique. You didn’t just miss the point; you boarded a flight out of the realm of relevance, crash-landed into casual racism, and built a hut out of insecurity.
Saying my parents should’ve hit me?
You just confessed to fantasizing about child abuse, and you think I’m the unfit one to debate? What you need isn’t a vote button — it’s a therapist with a cancellation policy tough enough to handle your projection issues.
Calling me a brat with an over-inflated ego?
You wrote a full essay with emotional breakdown energy, spat out slurs, and still somehow sounded like a rejected Philosophy major trying to prove his IQ with Grammarly on. Spoiler: it didn’t work.
And oh, the 'Indian carnivals' jab?
Cute. Racism and cultural elitism, the last resort of someone who knows they lost the argument but wants to feel like they won the war. Keep the fake generosity, and don’t act like your “rupees in the mail” wasn’t laced with colonial-level condescension. Do send it, will frame them besides your “failed to be relevant certificate”, you don’t sound superior. You sound like a 19th-century missionary trapped in a Discord mod’s body.
As for dragging my bio? The fact that you had to scroll down to quote it means I left an impact. You can call it ego. I call it not being a doormat for strangers who wear fake civility like it’s deodorant. Spoiler: it doesn’t cover the stench. I can only imagine how low your esteem is, that you are explaining you entire bio just because I mentioned it once. Get a life!
You said I don’t belong here? Darling, I don’t belong in your version of a debate space — where emotion is weakness, logic is gatekept by bigotry, and fragile boys with internet access pretend their tantrums are TED Talks. You think you ended me, but all you did was showcase how low people stoop when they can’t handle being challenged.
And no, I’m not silencing myself. You don’t get to tell me when to stop speaking. You’re not my judge or my intellectual equal. You’re just background noise. Have
Keep talking nonsense.
Dumb = Not smart or showing poor judgment.
If giving an effective analysis along with a critique signals strong poor judgement, or strong "lack of smartness" in your perception. then you're not long for this world.
If you prefer being a masochistic punching bag, I do not discriminate.
"I am a man of Jesus Christ.
I am completely against gay sexuality and do not support it, tho I do not see those people as consisting of anything less than equal to heterosexuals."
This is the section of bio this person deems as "hateful".
It indicates that I'm a firm Christian believer and am mentally against gay sexuality.
I also clearly mentions that I do not deem gays as unequal.
An individual holding an opinion which you may not have is not mere "hate".
Grow up
It's a voter indicating your flaws and providing strong critique. Something you may clearly not be used to receiving.
Whats really a superiority complex is you unprofessionally ranting on and on without providing a mere basis of logic.
If I genuinely sounded like Chatgpt as you suggest, I'm clearly significantly more "scholarly" than you.
This debate did not emotionally "whiplash" me. Although maybe if your parents did physically whiplash you more, you wouldn't be a brat with an over inflated ego.
I cited your bio in order to put your arrogance into perspective for the audience rather than merely "rage scrolling", which clearly worked successfully by sparking yet another adolescent tantrum. Which further proves my points in the vote description.
Your "comedic roasts" don't empower you. They are sad and painful testament to the type of individual you are. Rude, arrogant, desperately needing a reality check and not fit to engage in a civil conversation.
Lastly, those sites were genuine gestures of kindness, if that vote really led you to write a 200 word reply 10 minutes after the vote was made, you really do need TalkToAngel. Unfortunately, I do not live in India, or I'd personally strap you down into their office for mental examination. However, I will send in the mail how ever many "rupees" you may need to cover to costs if necessary.
If you cannot calmly receive critique, then you don't belong on this debating site. And judging by your prideful way of speaking coupled with your stage performances. You really do belong in those Indian carnivals I recommended (still as a kind gesture).
I would strongly advise you to now silence yourself, as you've already made enough of a fool of yourself, and your parent's method of parenting which fostered an individual such as yourself.
Some voters are very dumb. It happens.
I have got standards so I will not go on and brag about your bio in which you claim to be hating gays
And maybe you can also use the therapy to understand the pain of children who suicide because of pressure by their parents to change their homosexuality.
Oh, look, a voter trying so hard to sound scholarly, they ended up sounding like ChatGPT having a superiority complex. Your entire feedback was basically an insecure fanfiction about how calm the Pro was and how personally offended you were that I didn’t speak like a TED Talk intern.
Calling my argument ‘adolescent’? you’re out here writing 300 words dissecting my tone like a rejected drama critic with a WiFi connection. If this debate gave you emotional whiplash, maybe the issue isn’t the argument: it’s your paper-thin threshold for discomfort.
You want citations for lived reality? Should I quote peer-reviewed trauma too, or will you need subtitles for that as well?
And dragging my bio into it? That’s not critique, that’s you rage-scrolling my profile because deep down you realized — I said what you were too polite, too sanitized, and too spineless to say.
Keep your backhanded “kind gestures.” TalkToAngel? Sweetheart, I suggest you go first — and ask them why you confuse confidence with arrogance and compassion with ‘carnival.’
Next time you vote, try using your brain instead of your biases. Maybe use those therapy links to learn how to be unbiased, I will pay for it. I give as good as I get.
They try to prevent homosexuality by bullying a child, usually telling him that he will burn in hell or get terrible disease, or by shaming him, disowning him, beating him...ect.
Um ok
What an absurd topic. And how do you prevent your child's homosexuality mr.21pilots? Funniest thing i have read in a while.
Of course
It was my mistake.
I understand. Can I just make my argument this round and you publish a longer argument?
I am truely sorry for forfeiting the first round, I was at a cultural festival and lost track of time.
I have prepared for this but it seems that I put it into one day which wasn’t what I intended.
If it is ok with you, I would appreciate it if you skipped round 1
Thank you for understanding.
My parents tried to prevent my homosexuality, and people around me mocked me for my "gay behavior". Now they wish I was gay.
Well, nvm then ig
Honestly, 1 week. I know that's a lot of time and I understand if you don't want to be waiting up to a week for my arguments. However, I'm crazy busy at work these days. I have to work overtime almost every day. I might still accept if the time for argument is 3 days however. I'll have to think about it.
How much time would you like?
I may just accept this one, then. I would prefer more time to write arguments, however. I have a very busy schedule.
Yes
Pro is to say yes it is ethical
Con is to say no it isnt
To be clear, you intend to take the Pro position?