Family is directly related to degree of outness in LGBT individuals. “Coming out” is not an easy thing to do and these LGBT individuals hope that their family will be their support system. However, 40% of today’s LGBT youth are have been rejected by their families and now live on the streets (Durso, 2012). In one study, lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth who reported higher levels of family rejection during adolescence were 3.4 times more likely to use illegal drugs, 5.9 times more likely to report high levels of depression, and 8.4 times more likely to report having attempted suicide compared with peers from families that reported no or low levels of family rejection (Ryan, 2009). The impending fear of rejection does not only happen as an adolescent; …show more content…
In 2012, the University of Oregon a study was done which correlates outness and relationship satisfaction in same-sex couples. They took 15 same-sex couples who completed a self-report questionnaire and a structured interview. Over fifty percent of the participants had formerly discussed their outness and some point in their relationship and nearly half of the couples said different outness levels posed difficult situations in between partners which resulted in the end of relationships. “Participants revealed that outness is not as simple as a one-time self-disclosure of sexual orientation; it is an ongoing process, a filter through which GLB individuals and couples express identity and values, manage social interactions, create and maintain interpersonal connections, and define boundaries for their relationships” (Knoble, …show more content…
The study focused on underrepresented minorities in the lesbian community, including older women, women of color, and closeted women. The researchers found that the more out a participant was, the greater the level of relationship quality reported. Secondly, if there was a discrepancy in outness between the two partners, there was a lower level of relationship quality reported. Having one or both partners closeted can increase the level of stress in the relationship. Individuals make meaning of their world through social interactions and if one partner is not willing to be open with others in these social contexts it can cause distress in the other partner. The Social Exchange Model proposes an individual would label themselves as satisfied in a relationship if their perceived rewards are high and the perceived costs of the relationship are low. In the case where the dissatisfaction about the level of openness between partners in a same-sex relationship is high (cost) the rewards might be lower. This model helps to explain patterns such as these by proposing that declines in a relationship usually occur when the environmental demands of outness rise above a couple’s natural ability to cope with such demands effectively (Bradbury, 2010). The lack of disclosure can lead to isolation and increased dependency on a partner and their relationship, which then
Many transgender people lived in dysfunctional families when they were young. The support becomes vital for the wellbeing of kids. In her book Redefining Realness by Janet Mock, recaps the importance of support from Michelle his cousin, who kept in secrets of gender dysphoria of Charles (Keisha) by saying “‘Pinkie –swear you won’t tell your mom’…She’d keep the secret my secret because I was her favorite cousin” (Mook 76). Michelle, kept Keisha’s secret by allowing her to use her swimming clothes. Michelle shows the importance of support from relatives. This is a fundamental factor that might help with the development of her gender identity. Many transgender people may feel a relief at the time to disclose their identity. When transition is in progress the support from friends and families becomes important because, many transgender people might suffer if they lack support. Many transgender people seem depressed because they are rejected by society. Janet Mock, relates how Wendi, support Charles, by making him feel comfortable, saying “Wendi and I grew inseparable trough middle school, a bond that would link us for the rest of our lives. Through association, my class –mates learned that I was like Wendi-who hadn’t yet adopted any labels to describe her shifting self” (Mook 107). In most cases transgender people’s acquaintances can be referred as transgender people just by friendship. The association makes transgender people to gain confidence about their gender identity. The support from groups or friends makes transgender people feel that they are accepted and not alone. Support from friends might urge transgender people to come out the “closet” and reveal their gender identity to gain respect among society. The support from friends is important, but family support seems to be the most important. When families do not support transgender people it causes a hostile environment that may suppress
If you wanted to examine young people's experiences of homelessness, would you use qualitative methods, or quantitative methods, or a mixed methods approach, and why?
Youth homelessness in Ontario is not a new phenomenon, it has become more and more severe over the past 20 years. “One third of homeless individuals on the streets are under the age of 25”(Cino, Rose). It is a significant social justice issue in Canada. Within our community people are increasingly aware of the sight of youth sleeping in parks, asking for money and sitting on sidewalks. Youth homelessness in Ontario is primarily caused by tragic life occurrences such as abuse, illness or unemployment.
Bos, H. M., Van Balen, F., & Van den Boom, D. C. (2007). Child adjustment and parenting in planned lesbian-parent families. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 77, 38-48. doi:
Homelessness is a real serious health issue all over the world that must be addressed. A lot of people in a public frequently misunderstand the cause of homelessness. Remarks regarding homeless people such as “they need to just get a job” or “go to school” are normally used liberally by members of society because they neglect to look at the complete issue. Homelessness does not discriminate. Individuals that have previously experience or may experience being homeless can be from different regions, have different cultural backgrounds, ages, and could be of any gender. Minorities seem to be mostly affected by homelessness. A study done in 2012 found that the homeless population is consisted of 39% non-Hispanic Whites, 42% African-Americans, 13% Hispanic, 4% Native-American, and 2% Asian (Now on PBS, 2012). The End Homelessness website provides the following statistics:
Whether it be for religious reasons, or simply because they are afraid of how people might react, many of the LGBT+ community live in fear, never telling people how they really feel. There are many gay, bi, transgender, and more, living on the street simply because their parents abandoned them once they had come out. “In America, up to 1.6 million youth experience homelessness each year. The statistics for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) homeless youth are even more shocking, as this group represents up to 40% all young people experiencing homelessness...Half of all teens get a negative reaction from their parents when they come out to them. More than 1 in 4 are thrown out of their homes” (True Colors Fund, 1). LGBT+ youth, representing around 7% of the total youth, find difficulty living the American Dream that they dreamed of as
The influence of the family and the need to belong to one are extremely powerful forms of control. The deviance that many Latin families try to control is homosexuality as it conflicts with the one of the main concepts of Latin familism, which is to continue the family name and produce children. When it comes to the relationships between LBQ Latinas and their families, there are various degrees of acceptance and control they are subjected. Katie Acosta’s “How Could You Do This To Me?”: How Lesbian, Bisexual, and Queer Latinas Negotiate Sexual Identity with Their Families provides ‘three distinct interaction strategies that study participants report engaging in with their families of origin: (1) erasure of nonconformity, (2) sexual silencing, and (3) avoidance after disclosure’ (Acosta 64). Erasure control is the most direct form of control that the family has. Erasure of the nonconformity is used by the family by erasing and denying the queer identity, sometimes with ‘manipulation tactics’ (Acosta 64). Ways that the Latina women exert control over their LBQ identities are silencing it (and not coming out) and then avoiding their family after coming out. Despite nothing ever being spoken about homosexuality, ‘respondents believe everyone is silently aware of their same-sex relationships’. Familial control of sexuality is powerful, however, as sexuality is a core part of self it cannot completely be control or suppressed. Even though they must continue in secret, or move away, queer women continue to have same sex relationships though it is not always easy to do
Internalized homophobia is when negative attitudes from the primary group, mainly family but also the surrounding community, cause negative homophobic thoughts in a person that has same-sex attraction, but may not identify with it. This kind of internalization creates lack of self worth for those that do not “come out”. Research supports that internalized homophobia contributes to lower self-acceptance, loneliness, depression, and the lessened ability to come out to others. Internalized homophobia has a high impact on lesbians because society’s norms are to be married to a man and reproduce, and this norm is the majority in small, rural communities. Because of this norm, lesbians try to maintain a “normal”, “acceptable” lifestyle, and get married and have children, while fighting within themselves about their identity. “A number of studies have found that the degree of internalized homophobia was inversely related to relationship satisfaction in lesbians” (Spencer, 2007, pg. 258).
It is very reasonable to conclude that research on depression of those who identify as gay, lesbian or transsexual is not accurate; there is an underreporting of people who identify as these sexual orientations because of the fear of being different. It is understood that those apart of the LGBTQ community actively hide their identity in hopes to avoid being rejected or abused (Bird, 2013). Once the reporting issue of having a smaller percentage of the actual representation of the LGBTQ population is put aside, there is evidence that highly suggests that lesbians and gay men are at higher risk for psychiatric disorders than heterosexuals (Cochran, 2001). Even after underreporting, there is still enough information to conclude that sexual discrimination can have harmful effects on the quality of life. Common factors that have been observed in lesbians and gays that can potentially increase depression during Cochran's study are anxiety and mood disorders and decreased self esteem. Cochran and her partner also noted that dissatisfaction with how one is treated beca...
As previously discussed, homelessness among youth in the Houston / Harris County area is a growing population with far reaching consequences for this group. They can be identified as a cultural group as they identify with others who have shared experiences and commonalities. Some of the serious struggles, identified in part I, homeless youth face are the increased probability of becoming victimized on the streets, higher risk of being infected with a STD or HIV, becoming pregnant, entering the criminal justice system, not having access to medical treatment, employment, housing, or education and job training. Without resiliency, the bleak outlook on life has the power to destroy their self-efficacy leaving them with low self-esteem. Both tangible, as well as, intangible resources have been identified to assist youth facing homelessness. Likewise, many studies have been conducted regarding intervention plans and their effectiveness that show great promise. Specifically, this intervention plan will look at a strengths based method, an out-reach model, and an alternative approach to formulate an intervention method.
Throughout this time, the idea has gained traction, but not without some difficulties. A relationship of this type faces various obstacles that a typical or traditional relationship wouldn’t face. An open marriage or relationship fails for various reasons such as toxic connections, various health issues, and public scrutiny. In short, an open marriage tends not to work for numerous reasons.
Currently in today’s society, coming out as gay is easier than admitting to a serious mental problem. This effect puts a burden on teens who suffer from problems and don’t know where to go; which led to the increase of teen suicides as seen in the media. In the average classroom size, about three of the twenty-four students have depression; not mentioning other common disorders such as bipolar disorder, panic disorder, ADHD, conduct disorder, and eating disorders. Without better programs in schools to prevent and inform about mental disorders, the current taboo on them, the bullying of students suffering, and the romanticization of diseases will continue to increase the negative effect mental disorders have on teens.
Note: This paper has a very long Annotated Bibliography. In recent years, same-sex relationships have become more encompassing in US society. State legislation is changing such as accepting gay marriages, enforcing anti-discrimination laws, and legal gay adoptions; the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community is becoming public. Gay-headed families, like heterosexuals, are diverse and varying in different forms.
Erikson saw the development of inatimate relationships as the crucial task of young adulthood. The need to form strong, stable, close, caring relationship is a powerful motivate of human behaviour. An important elemen of intimacy is self-disclosure, ‘revealing important information about oneself to another’ (Collins & Miller, 1994, p 457). People become intimate and remain intimate through shared disclosures, responsiveness to one another’s need and mutual acceptance and respect (Harvey & Omarzu,1997, Reis & Patrick, 1996).
Gender is a socially constructed phenomenon, and how acceptable one’s relationship is determined by society’s view of gender roles. Because the majority of the population is characterized as heterosexual, those who deviate from that path are ...