Effects GEnder issues have on child development
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgendered adolescents live in social environments where they are more than likely to be exposed to negative experiences. These experiences include: social rejection and isolation, diminished social support, discrimination, and verbal and physical abuse.
Stress: "Adolescents who have same-sex sexual attractions, who have had sexual or romantic relationships with persons of the same sex, or who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual, are more likely than heterosexual adolescents to experience depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation, and to make suicide attempts." This statement is backed up by accumulating evidence. Data shows (below) that lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth were more than twice as likely as heterosexual youth to have considered attempting suicide in the past year. Thus showing the lesbian, gay and bisexual youth have high levels of emotional distress. Transgendered youth also experience high levels of emotional distress along with their lesbian, gay and bisexual peers. Data shows also that youth with a minority sexual orientation are more likely to report having skipped school in the past month because they felt unsafe there.
In recent research, lesbian, gay, and bisexual adolescents reported a wide range of verbal and physical violence directed toward them in a variety of settings, such as home, school, work, and the general community. In response to greater public awareness of harassment, there has been an increase in the number of junior high and high schools that have developed policies against sexual harassment.
One potential explanation for the elevated risk of emotional distress among adolescents with a minority sexual orientation or transgendered identity is that these youth must deal with stressors related to having a stigmatized identity. In recent years, LGBT issues have become more predominant in public. The attitudes towards same-sex relationships have generally become more favorable. Although there have been efforts to improve the support of LBGT youth, they are still faced with difficulties relative to their heterosexual, non-transgendered classmates.
In recent research, lesbian, gay, and bisexual adolescents reported a wide range of verbal and physical violence directed toward them in a variety of settings, such as home, school, work, and the general community. In response to greater public awareness of harassment, there has been an increase in the number of junior high and high schools that have developed policies against sexual harassment.
One potential explanation for the elevated risk of emotional distress among adolescents with a minority sexual orientation or transgendered identity is that these youth must deal with stressors related to having a stigmatized identity. In recent years, LGBT issues have become more predominant in public. The attitudes towards same-sex relationships have generally become more favorable. Although there have been efforts to improve the support of LBGT youth, they are still faced with difficulties relative to their heterosexual, non-transgendered classmates.
Statistics
40% of youth who reported a minority sexual orientation indicated feeling sad or hopeless in the past 2 weeks, compared to 26% of heterosexual youth.
31% of lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth have considered attempting suicide in the last year, compared to 14% of heterosexual youth considered attempting suicide.
In a sample of 55 transgendered youth, aged 15-21, researchers found that more than one-fourth reported a prior suicide attempt. Those who have prior attempted, reported it was due to lives being transgender.
31% of lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth have considered attempting suicide in the last year, compared to 14% of heterosexual youth considered attempting suicide.
In a sample of 55 transgendered youth, aged 15-21, researchers found that more than one-fourth reported a prior suicide attempt. Those who have prior attempted, reported it was due to lives being transgender.