Evaluating Internet Myths Essay

Submitted By khpmkp
Words: 1101
Pages: 5

Myth: Children raised by gay parents have higher rates of homosexuality than other children. http://www.frc.org/issuebrief/new-study-on-homosexual-parents-tops-all-previous-research This site presents a favorable bias that the significantly large “negative outcomes” in the noted study presents support regarding the myth of “homosexual parenting”. There are numerous points of misinformation given in this site. First, the promoted study of this site proclaims that children brought up in homosexual households deviate from the normal societal expectations by having a 75% higher tendency to engage in a same-sex relationship. Furthermore, the site specifies that these children are 4 times more likely to categorize themselves as exclusively homosexual. In fact, the majority of children raised in a homosexual household will engage in a heterosexual relationship in adulthood (Golombock, 1996). There was also no statistically significant difference regarding lesbian or heterosexual upbringing in young adults’ sexual orientation. This site could be very detrimental in the claims made as it refers to upholding a high mathematical standard of research, however does not regard any peer reviewed support for its claims.

Myth: Excessive aluminum causes Alzheimer’s disease. http://www.rense.com/general37/alum.htm The website purports that accumulating evidence gives support to plaque accumulation in the brain having a direct correlation to aluminum, which ought to give basis to aluminum being a prime inference in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. The author initially sites that spray antiperspirants are a prime cause for concern due to the high findings of senile plaques found in the brain at the points of the olfactory lobe. Additionally, the choice of cookware is noted to be important as all metal cookware reacts with food acids, thus releasing metal ions into the body. The shocking advice given at the conclusion of the article states those individuals who fail to follow the given recommendations will serve as human “guinea pigs”. Tomljenovic (2011) found that although aluminum is the most abundant neurotoxin metal in the earth, bioavailable aluminum is incapable to sufficiently reaching the brain in large enough amounts to cause damage to brain tissue. Furthermore, any accumulated aluminum in the brain neurons is solely a consequence, not a cause of increased senility. This site would be very contrary as it provides no sited research to support the claims or guidelines to researched safety for aluminum exposure.

Myth: The first few minutes following birth are crucial for effective parent-infant bonding. http://archive.attachmentparenting.org/support/articles/artbonding.php This website supports the belief of a “sensitive period” immediately following birth, which directly influences a closer attachment between parent and child later in childhood. However this site also gives encouragement to the newborn situations where parents may be required to separate from their infant due to critical care need circumstances. In these instances, the “attachment” style of parenting can balance for the loss of early bonding. As researchers became familiar with the imprinting in particular species within the initial minutes following birth, this same bond was applied to humans (Arnett, 2012 p. 119). Humans were found to be capable of bonding even when early separation prevented such, thus alleviating the risk for later social and emotional harm. This site can help to encourage bonding at the earliest stages possible; however confidence in caring for an infant can be created in nurturing periods of bonding outside of the initial minutes following birth.

Myth: Infants establish attachment bonds only to their mothers. http://www.thelizlibrary.org/liz/APA-Monitor-attachment.html As new parents optimally desire to create a strong bond with their newborn, this website emphasizes that the bond created with a mother is the attachment