So a question for fans of the book...?

[Hannah]

So I have heard some about this book but I started thinking about the premise of this book and realized one huge detail the author left out. If this book is supposed to portray a futuristic society why is everyone in the book assumed to be straight? In our world that is definitely not the case so I can't understand how that would be any different in a futuristic society. So when people are "matched" is someone's sexuality not taken into account? Does this society force all people to be straight? I guess I am confused that this book basically ignores an entire group of people? Is there a reason for this?

[Laura]

Wow. I didn't think of that at all! That's a very good point, and to be honest, I have absolutely no idea what happens to them. Sorry I couldn't answer your question, but you do have a very good point.

[Kristen]

The purpose of the matching system is so that society is run in the most efficient and productive way possible. In other words, people are only matched for the purpose of marrying and having children in the traditional way to strengthen society. Love, personal feelings, and preferences are not considerations. If they were, people would have choices concerning who they are matched with.
Gay couples do not factor into the system since they physically cannot procreate, and therefore would not benefit society in that way.
My guess is that it's assumed that anyone who is that way either plays along like everyone else or they merely opt out of the matching system and do their own thing.
Possibly being gay is highly discouraged since it doesn't fit the model. It's even possible that it's been eradicated from society as a whole so that it's not even a thought to most people. Not in the sense that people are not that way any longer, but more that personal feelings are not considered your own. Romantic love is rarely something that people truly feel for one another outside of who they are told they are supposed to love.
Divorce, remarriage, and any number of other things are also not included. Or possibly they're not allowed since they do nothing to strengthen or advance society.

[Dhfan4life]

Kristen wrote: "The purpose of the matching system is so that society is run in the most efficient and productive way possible. In other words, people are only matched for the purpose of marrying and having childr..."

Or as the story points out later on in the story...take a little pill and forgot about oh so many things. So that could correct the homosexual problem too.

[Kristen]

Dhfan4life wrote: "Kristen wrote: "The purpose of the matching system is so that society is run in the most efficient and productive way possible. In other words, people are only matched for the purpose of marrying a..."

Exactly.

[Dhfan4life]

Kristen wrote: "Dhfan4life wrote: "Kristen wrote: "The purpose of the matching system is so that society is run in the most efficient and productive way possible. In other words, people are only matched for the pu..."

Luckily we can't get something like that mixed up today with Viagra or other meds, lol.

[Kristen]

LOL yeah, lucky for us....haha Well, at least we have the choice regarding what meds we take...

[Dhfan4life]

Amen for the power of choice!

[Hannah]

Kristen wrote: "The purpose of the matching system is so that society is run in the most efficient and productive way possible. In other words, people are only matched for the purpose of marrying and having childr..."

Wow! That's just makes the story even sadder. I'm glad we don't live in a society like that!

[Jacquelyn]

Hannah wrote: "So I have heard some about this book but I started thinking about the premise of this book and realized one huge detail the author left out. If this book is supposed to portray a futuristic society..."

I think it's an unfortunate oversight of the author. A lot of straight author's often leave out gay characters. Not criticizing, just laying out an observation.

[Dhfan4life]

Jacquelyn wrote: "Hannah wrote: "So I have heard some about this book but I started thinking about the premise of this book and realized one huge detail the author left out. If this book is supposed to portray a fut..."

Not a criticism at all Jacquelyn. Just how it is for most authors. Rather they are straight, or are Caucasian and don't write characters that are black or Asian characters and everybody is white in their stories. No criticism for them either. Just a glaring observation at times.

[Maddie]

This book was written before lesbian, gay or same gender marriage or love was more out there, I believe. Also, the Society wants healthy offspring and such, so they wanted the best for the humans for the Society to rule over (odd wording, I know). Therefore, they paired up whoever would be best for the Society.