Lesbian and Gay Adolescents: Social and Developmental Considerations

This week I have chosen to focus on Anderson's article, Lesbian and Gay Adolescents: Social and Developmental Considerations. The first part of the article that really stood out to me was the fact that "most gay and lesbian adolescents can vividly recall a period of intense anxiety when they first realized that they suddenly belonged to a group of people that is often vehemently despised". This really put things in perspective for me. Before this, I was somewhat aware of the difficulties that homosexual teens encounter as they go through even normal, everyday situations. However, this sentence alone helped me to better understand how much of a struggle it can be for them to accept themselves, let alone for others to accept them. I cannot imagine feeling as if who I am is inadequate or flat out wrong.

Unfortunately, the article states that this is how many of them do feel. The fact that they have so few resources and role models only makes it worse. I think it is so unfair that heterosexuals are given so many examples and so much support while others are so often ostracized, especially as teens and adolescents but even into adulthood.  During a time when all students are already feeling vulnerable and self-conscious, adding loneliness and even the feeling that you are foreign to yourself and others would be so overwhelming. I think that as teachers it is so, so important for us to realize how difficult that can be. Many of us will be working with students who go through exactly this and I think that curbing behavior such as bullying and even what appears to be simple teasing could be significant for some of them. We probably will not know the effect it has, but being aware of how your students are interacting with each other could change how one views themselves or their experiences at school.