Preview

Adolescent Sexuality and Risk Factors

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
489 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Adolescent Sexuality and Risk Factors
Adolescent Sexuality and Risk Factors Adolescence is that period between childhood and adulthood, when the adolescent is discovering his or her own identity and dealing with the transition. It is also a time of becoming more aware of sexuality and establishing patterns for future relationships. Those identifying as nonheterosexual i.e. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender (LGBT), face even more challenges than their heterosexual counterparts. One challenge is their health. Russell and Consolacion (2003) conducted a study on the topic of romance and emotional health of adolescents. The authors concluded that youth who had same-sex attractions and who were not in relationships showed increased measures of anxiety and depression. They also had more suicidal ideation than heterosexual youth. The dangers of smoking are well researched and documented. Easton, Jackson, Mowery, Comeau and Sell (2008) in their study concluded that same-sex and bisexual youth are at greater risk for tobacco use. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) notes that increased stress level, mental health and other physical health problems are common among LGBT youth (CDC, 2011). Ray (2006) in a study of homelessness among LGBT youth notes that they face a number of problems in additional to being homeless. They are at increased risk of mental health issues, high risk sexual behaviour to support themselves, substance abuse and victimisation. Education is important and LGBT adolescents face challenges in this area. Many of them are likely to be runaways so their education suffers as they are absent from school for long periods. Himmelstein & Brückner (2011) noted that these young people were also at risk for being more severely punished at school and in the justice system. They are also victims of violence and discrimination at school, often being bullied, teased and harassed (“LGBT bullying” n.d.). Counsellors working with adolescents who are LBGT must be sensitive to the feelings


References: CDC. (2011). Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender health. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/lgbthealth/youth.htm Easton, A., Jackson, K., Mowery, P., Comeau, D., & Sell, R. (2008). Adolescent same-sex and both-sex romantic attractions and relationships: Implications for smoking. American Journal of Public Health, 98(3), 462-467. Retrieved from http://ajph.aphapublications.org/cgi/reprint/98/3/462 Himmelstein, K. E. W., & Brückner, H. (2011). Criminal- justice and school sanctions against nonheterosexual youth: A national longitudinal study. Pediatrics, 127(1), 49-57. Retrieved from http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/127/1/49.full LGBT bullying. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://stopbullying.gov/topics/lgbt/ Ray, N. (2006). Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth: An epidemic of homelessness. Executive Summary Retrieved from http://www.thetaskforce.org/downloads/reports/reports/HomelessYouth_ExecutiveSummary.pdf Russell, S. T., & Consolacion, T. B. (2003). Adolescent romance and emotional health in the United States: Beyond binaries. Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, 32(4), 499-508. Retrieved from EBSCOHost
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    Why Do Some Lgbtq Students Feel Unsafe?
    • 83 Words
    • 1 Page

    Why Do Some Lgbtq Students Feel Unsafe?

    Students are feeling unsafe being themselves in their communities. 64% feel unsafe because of their sexual orientation. 44% feel unsafe because of gender orientation. 32% did not attend school for at least one day because they felt unsafe. 61% of students never reported the bullying attacks. These students were so afraid to tell an adult about what was going on, that they just let happen. Many lgbtq students have experienced bullying, comitted sucide, and have experienced physical harassment, and it needs to change.…

    • 83 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    John Bowlby's Attachment Theory Analysis
    • 1727 Words
    • 7 Pages

    John Bowlby's Attachment Theory Analysis

    The crisis involved in this stage is identity versus role confusion (Schacter, 2011 p477). In other words, this is where they are concerned about what other people think of them. In this stage, the main groups that they are concerned with are their peers and our-groups. These groups are who they try to be like and impress as a way of being accepted (Gross, 2015 p639). Young people tend to socialise with people that they were friends with in primary school of the same gender, then broaden out and become friends with the other sex. Throughout the younger years of this stage, they typically only hang around in big groups of people. However, as they get older they will most likely become closer with another person in or outwith their group that they will go on to have an intimate relationship with (Schacter, 2011 p477). For the duration of the adolescence stage, people tend to spend more time with their peers and less time with their parents. Many of their values and opinions will be influenced by their peers as this is who they are spending all of their time with. It is incredibly important for young people to be accepted by their peers, and if they are not then this can lead to them feeling lonely, isolated and…

    • 1727 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Why Do Homeless Students Need BCG Shelters
    • 120 Words
    • 1 Page

    Why Do Homeless Students Need BCG Shelters

    The highest percent of homelessness youth are the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or Questioning, (LGBTQ) children.…

    • 120 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Multicultural counseling, diversity counseling, counseling diverse populations, APA references.
    • 2818 Words
    • 10 Pages

    Multicultural counseling, diversity counseling, counseling diverse populations, APA references.

    Elze, D. (2002). Risk Factors for Internalizing and Externalizing Problems Among, Gay,Lesbian, and Bisexual Adolescents. Social Work Research, 26, 89-100.…

    • 2818 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    The Pros And Cons Of Bathrooms And Birth Names
    • 395 Words
    • 2 Pages

    The Pros And Cons Of Bathrooms And Birth Names

    Schools need to provide better trans-inclusive education. According to a New York Times article, only 5% of students in 2013 reported being taught LGBT+ information in their health classes, and LGBT+ students are five times more likely to seek out the information that they are denied online. In eight states, there is explicit legal discrimination against LGBT+ students being educated about their needs in health classes: Alabama, Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas and Utah have laws against “positive portrayal” of LGBT+ relationships. Transgender children are also at higher risk than their peers to…

    • 395 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    The Trevor Project
    • 4923 Words
    • 20 Pages

    The Trevor Project

    Researchers have found that suicide among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender youth (LGBT) is comparatively higher than among the general population. According to some groups, this is linked to heterocentric cultures and institutionalised homophobia in some cases, including the use of LGBT people as a political wedge issue like in the contemporary efforts to halt legalising same-sex marriages[citation needed]. Depression and drug use among LGBT people have both been shown to increase significantly after new laws that discriminate against gay people are passed.[1]…

    • 4923 Words
    • 20 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Lgbtq Youth Thesis
    • 1189 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Lgbtq Youth Thesis

    The homeless LGBTQ youth engage in several different survival strategies to survive life on the streets that include substance abuse, survival sex, self-injury and sometimes forming street families because they are deprived of economic support and deprived of love. As, a result many of these strategies end up being illegal behaviors, contributing even more to the stigma of their identity as homeless LGBTQ youth. Many also viewed as having delinquent behaviors, many lack skills and resources needed for employment, so they find themselves with almost no options of survival.…

    • 1189 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Heteronormativity In Canadian Youth
    • 1992 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Heteronormativity In Canadian Youth

    (Kennedy). Although we do not know how many of these youth identify as LGBTQ, it is a well-known fact that the rate of suicide, suicidal thoughts, and suicide attempts is disproportionate amongst the LGBTQ youth when compared to the heterosexual youth (Kennedy). The LGBTQ youth are four times more likely to commit suicide in comparison to the heterosexual youth (Kennedy). Canadian statistics reveal that about thirty-three percent of Canadian LGB youth have attempted suicide, forty-seven percent of GB male and seventy-three percent of LB female students have had suicidal thoughts (Kennedy). A survey conducted in Ontario revealed that forty-seven percent of transsexual youths have had suicidal thoughts, and that nineteen percent actually attempted suicide in the following year (Kennedy). These baffling statistics are consequences of mistreatment felt by the LGBTQ youth (Kennedy). The non-heterosexual youth have to deal with being physically and emotionally harassed, they are often not given the opportunity to feel parental-love and affection since their parents grew up with the hegemonistic belief that same-sex marriage is ideal and thus they do not accept their children who deviate from heteronormativity (Kennedy). Parents are often embarrassed by their child’s sexual orientation and attempt to “correct” them by either sending them to special church programs, or though…

    • 1992 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Cause And Effect Essay On Runaway Youth
    • 1496 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Cause And Effect Essay On Runaway Youth

    Most LGBTQ children don’t run away, but they are forced out of their home by their parents. Some parents can’t accept their child’s sexual orientation. Frustrated or confused parents often let their emotions take charge, and that leads to a homeless child. Twenty percent of the homeless youth are the GLBTQ community (LGBT Homeless, 2012). To prevent this type of run-away the parent needs to come to terms…

    • 1496 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Substance Abuse Among Homeless Youth
    • 151 Words
    • 1 Page

    Substance Abuse Among Homeless Youth

    The problem with the homeless youth is caused by being mistreated and neglected. SafeHorizon research states young people have a greater chance becoming homeless if their parents have substance abuse or have mental health problems. If they endured or witnessed child abuse and are being disregard in their homes. Also, if they are label themselves as a lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. Some youth become homeless because of financial situations. They end up becoming runaways and leaving their homes because they don’t have a place of their own. The street is one of their popular destinations for the youth homeless. SafeHorizon research indicates about 43% of homeless young men and 39% of homeless young women reveal they were assaulted with…

    • 151 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Homelessness In The LGBT Community Analysis
    • 687 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Homelessness In The LGBT Community Analysis

    “ Almost thirty years ago, most people started coming out in their 20s, well after most had left home and started working. If someone’s family rejected them for being gay or transgender, it may have been emotionally painful, but the person could still likely take care of himself or herself.” (Quintana, Rosenthal, Krehely 2010) In the new millennium, our youth are coming out the closet at younger ages. They are coming out at ages where they are still dependent on their parents and guardians for food, money and shelter. For the LGBT youth in these predicaments, the shunning of their families many times leads to rebellion, trauma, suicide, mental illness, crime, sex trafficking, school drop outs, drug/alcohol abuse, etc. The lack of adequate resources such as shelters that support our youth instead of discriminating against LGBT youth and the ignorance to the issue causes this to be a growing problem. Perhaps a study which investigates the presence of homeless Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered youth in America by raising awareness, increasing specific resources and valuing all human life we can eradicate this major…

    • 687 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Vulnerable Populations
    • 687 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Vulnerable Populations

    It is during early in middle adolescent years that sexual identity begins to form. It is at this stage that some LGTBQ teens often struggle with many problems. Many feel isolated, suffer from poor self-image, mental health concerns, and conceal their sexual orientation. Counselors, therapists, and social workers are often called upon to help this disadvantage population deal with the many issues they experienced both individually and in a group setting. “ Sexual minority youth (SMY) is a term that is used to describe young people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or queer. The higher prevalence of mental health problems among SMY suggests that successful prevention and intervention strategies should target this population in particular.”( Craig S, Austin A, Alessi E. 2012). Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been well-known as a best practice for adolescent populations who have difficulties with mental health problems. Research now suggest that incorporating CBT to address the complex experiences of SMY. The adaptation of CBT has been known to help SMY plot a course in the coming out process along with teaching SMY populations to develop skills to manage stigma and…

    • 687 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Anomiic Suicide
    • 1095 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Anomiic Suicide

    When one school district had decided that their policy of teaching homosexuality in sex-ed classes was imposturous, because it generated the idea homosexuality was okay. The school created a new policy in which bashed students whom were gay and those whom were perceived as being gay. Their policy “No Homo Promo” created hostility among the student body. It allowed for all bullying to be overlooked, ignored, and also reinforced the idea teachers could not teach certain subjects. According to the article, “teachers were not allowed to mention gays in any context” (Erdely, 2012). Ultimately, this policy led to nine students committing suicide because, they could not take societal pressure any longer. This group of adolescents wanted society to accept them as being normal individuals. Eventually, the school allowed an organization (referred to as GSA) to be created which, allowed for students whom were homosexual to have a place to go to feel safe. As stated in the article, “I joined the GSA cause I wanted to be just like her. I wanted to be nice and – loved” (Erdely,…

    • 1095 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Homelessness In America Essay
    • 319 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Homelessness In America Essay

    Sadly, a large reason why the LGBTQ community are homeless is because family and religion. Mostly, people aren’t very open to transgenders. Transgenders are coming out more and more now, which is a shock to some people. It’s also disappointing to see, since transgenders are just like everybody else. “According to the Family Acceptance Project, LGBTQ youth who come from highly rejecting families are more than eight times as likely to have attempted suicide as LGBTQ peers with little to no family rejection” (Working Together for Homeless LGBTQ Youth 1). Overtime, the traumatic experiences can ruin a person mentally, emotionally, and physically. The risks of getting STIs and engaging in risky sexual activities are also very high for the homeless LGBTQ…

    • 319 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Homelessness In The United States
    • 404 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Homelessness In The United States

    Homelessness is defined as people who are living in places not meant for human inhabitance where they temporarily reside. Among youth in the United States, homelessness dates back as far as the country’s earliest history. Adolescents deviated and went off on their way to seek economic opportunity and adventure while the country was being expanded westward. During the 1800s, a widespread of homelessness among poor immigrant youth who were unwanted and unneeded in the workforce was taking place. Later, another wave of homeless youth was brought by The Great Depression. Because large parts of the overall population were homeless, issues related specifically to youth homelessness were ignored. In the 1960s, a new group of homeless youth were labeled “runaways”.…

    • 404 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More

Related Topics