Vicious Circle Research Paper
Cora Franks
8/22/09
American Lit.
A Vicious Circle
From the time people are old enough to speak, most of the same beliefs, rules, and lifestyles are drilled into their heads with the expectation that they will grow up to be “good” people, and they will go on to bring up their children to the same standards. Going to church on Sundays, marrying the opposite sex, and essentially not really being any different than anyone else is what the majority of us are taught to live by. I believe that because of this, when people grow to be teenagers or young adults they do not accept those who have different lifestyles, such the gay, lesbian, and bisexual community. I feel that the fear of strangers, or xenophobia, stems from the way we were raised and what we were told was normal and acceptable. …show more content…
This can be beneficial in helping teenagers make good decisions and stay out of trouble. However, understandings of these lessons both by the teacher and interpreter have caused discrimination again the gay, lesbian, and bisexual society. For example, we are brought up to treat others how we would want to be treated and to accept everyone, yet we are also told that homosexuality is a one way ticket to Hell. This contradiction has led people to not accept the differences between them and the homosexual community, but to shy away out of the fear of knowing they are going against the grain. From the time we are at Sunday school learning “Jesus Loves Me”, we were also told about Adam and Eve, the children they spawned, and the pattern we are expected to and have followed. These ruts have been carved into us for many generations and have influenced how we react to differences and the
8/22/09
American Lit.
A Vicious Circle
From the time people are old enough to speak, most of the same beliefs, rules, and lifestyles are drilled into their heads with the expectation that they will grow up to be “good” people, and they will go on to bring up their children to the same standards. Going to church on Sundays, marrying the opposite sex, and essentially not really being any different than anyone else is what the majority of us are taught to live by. I believe that because of this, when people grow to be teenagers or young adults they do not accept those who have different lifestyles, such the gay, lesbian, and bisexual community. I feel that the fear of strangers, or xenophobia, stems from the way we were raised and what we were told was normal and acceptable. …show more content…
This can be beneficial in helping teenagers make good decisions and stay out of trouble. However, understandings of these lessons both by the teacher and interpreter have caused discrimination again the gay, lesbian, and bisexual society. For example, we are brought up to treat others how we would want to be treated and to accept everyone, yet we are also told that homosexuality is a one way ticket to Hell. This contradiction has led people to not accept the differences between them and the homosexual community, but to shy away out of the fear of knowing they are going against the grain. From the time we are at Sunday school learning “Jesus Loves Me”, we were also told about Adam and Eve, the children they spawned, and the pattern we are expected to and have followed. These ruts have been carved into us for many generations and have influenced how we react to differences and the