An undergraduate student from the University of Colorado recently wrote Dr. J in frustration over the constant attack on gender in her classes. She writes:

“I am studying English here. In a couple of my classes my professors love to bring up transgressive sexuality: transexuality, transgender, queer theory, sex changes, really anything that deconstructs the binary of the hierarchical/ patriarchal idea of masculinity and femininity. I am usually very vocal in my very liberal classes in pointing out the higher truth the teacher and students seem to overlook.

I know that God created us "male and female." I also know that the world is fallen and therefore we suffer from physiological and psychological disorders. But this is not enough. My teachers drill into us that gender and sexual identity are fluid and a continuum instead of a solid, fixed nature. I don’t really know what to say.”

This is the kind of student we hope to encourage with our student conferences and Ruth material. This is why the Ruth Institute exists! Stay tuned for more information on our upcoming conferences and how you can get the word out to students you know!

This week's cool podcast:

When Feminists Attack: The Sarah Palin Chronicles Dr. J appears on Issues, Etc. to discuss the recent Barbara Walters/Sarah Palin interview, and the ongoing reaction to Sarah Palin herself.  She's a very polarizing figure, even though she seems to fit the definition of a modern woman in many ways: mom of a large family, high-profile job with possibilities for promotion. Yet feminists loathe her and conservatives applaud her. Dr. J elucidates the feminists' position and the reasons for their reaction to this pro-family politico. (Click the POD icon to listen.)

Do you need advice on how to improve your marriage or relationship, or on how to find the right person for you? Expert Dr. J is here for you. Click here to ask your question, which may be featured anonymously in this newsletter for the benefit of all.

Read past questions and answers here.

Need help with your marriage? You can also check out Dr. J's "101 Tips for a Happier Marriage!"

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Tip # 9 from 101 Tips for a Happier Marriage

Concentrate on changing yourself, which you have the power to do. Leave your spouse some room for his or her own growth process.

The expression, "You can't change a person," is often used and with good reason. People have to be wanting and willing to change their ways. That desire has to come from within, not from you. You can nudge and nag all you want, but that may only cause resentment and resistance. Instead, take a closer look at yourself. It is humanly impossible to be perfect, but you can still do your best. What about you could use improvement for the betterment of your marriage? Perhaps one thing you can change is your reaction to the imperfections of your spouse. Chances are, he or she has just as much to put up with as you.

Need more tips? Get the full 101 here. Don’t forget: Dr. J’s tips are not intended for domestic violence or substance abuse. Please get professional help if you are in one of these situations.

Impact of Proposed School Curriculum Addressing Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

by Dr. Trayce Hansen, Psychologist and Ruth Advisory Board Member

In May 2009, the Alameda Unified School Board was considering the adoption of a new curriculum for K-12 that would promote acceptance and normalization of homosexual and transgender behaviors under the guise of anti-bullying. A group of concerned parents asked me to review and comment on the proposed curriculum and its impact on children. Despite the evidence of potential harm, and over the strong objections of many parents, the board adopted the proposed curriculum.

Environment is primary factor in development of sexual preference and gender identity
Decades of research confirm that sexual orientation and gender identity are not inborn but are primarily shaped by environmental influences during childhood and adolescence. The proposed school curriculum will affect the sexual preference and gender identity formation of some children exposed to it because it teaches that all sexual and gender variations are equally acceptable. Sexual preference and gender identity formation are fragile developmental processes that can be disrupted and altered by environmental influences such as the lessons in the proposed school curriculum.

Sexual Orientation is not inborn
Many people continue to believe that sexual orientation is inborn, although that is not true. Extensive, worldwide research reveals that homosexuality is predominately influenced by environmental factors. For instance, recent large-scale studies compared rates of homosexual behavior in sets of identical twins. If homosexual behavior were inborn, every time one identical twin was homosexual, the other identical twin would also be homosexual 100% of the time. But this is not what the research revealed. Rather, every time one identical twin was homosexual the other twin was homosexual only 10% or 11% of the time. Homosexual behavior is clearly not genetic.
In fact, an accumulation of extensive research utilizing millions of research subjects finds that environment, not genetics, is the main factor in the development of non-heterosexual behavior. (To review these research studies see references 1-4 listed below).

Societies which endorese non-heterosexual behavior elicit more of that behavior
For a well-known example of the environmental effect on sexual behavior, consider ancient Greece and Rome where male homosexuality and bisexuality were nearly ubiquitous. That was not so because men in those societies were born with a “gay gene,” but because human sexual behavior is malleable and culturally influenced.

Research reveals that the more an environment (including the school environment) affirms, endorses, or normalizes homosexual or bisexual behavior the more of those behaviors there will be in that environment. The proposed curriculum would teach children that it doesn’t matter with whom one has a romantic or sexual relationship. Such a lesson will lead some children to engage in homosexual relationships they might never have considered were it not for the school’s social endorsement. In fact, we’re already seeing a general increase in non-heterosexual behavior as a result of the media’s affirmation.

Non-heterosexual behavior leads to increased risk of psychological and physical disorders
Sadly, the research is also clear that individuals who adopt non-heterosexual lifestyles are more likely to suffer from a host of negative outcomes including psychiatric disorders, alcohol and drug abuse, suicide attempts, domestic violence and sexual assault, and increased risk for chronic diseases, AIDS, and shortened lifespan. Schools should not affirm and thereby encourage young people to adopt lifestyles more likely to lead to such devastation.

Gender Identity Disorder is a psychiatric disorder that should not be normalized to children
The proposed school curriculum also teaches that transgendered lifestyles are a healthy and acceptable alternative to the norm. That is not true. Many transgendered individuals suffer from a psychiatric disorder known as Gender Identity Disorder (GID) that is recognized by the American Psychiatric Association as a mental disorder in need of psychological treatment. The proposed curriculum encourages transgendered behavior by teaching, for instance, that males who dress, behave, and live as females are completely normal....

Read the rest of this article here.