Homosexual Adolescents Essay -- Homosexuality

If one were to identify a time in life when the recognition of a homosexual identity would be most disruptive, adolescence would be at the top of the list. According to psychologist Erik Erikson, adolescence is a time of identity versus confusion. During adolescence, children are exploring their independence and developing a sense of self. Those who receive proper encouragement and reinforcement through personal exploration will emerge from this stage with a strong sense of self and a feeling of independence and control. Those who remain unsure of their beliefs and desires will insecure and confused about themselves and the future (Crain, 2000). The successful completion of these steps can be impeded by identifying one self as a sexual minority. Andrew Sullivan articulates his experience as a homosexual teen in his essay â€Å"What Is A Homosexual?† Homosexual adolescents learn from an early age that â€Å"survival depends on self-concealment (Sullivan, 2008).† Sullivan illustrates the internal struggle of the homosexual adolescent with a powerful statement, stating â€Å"...that which would give him the most meaning is most likely to destroy him in the eyes of others; that the condition of his friendships is the subjugation of himself (Sullivan, 2008).† The use of the word destroy is a haunting acknowledgement to the bullying that occurs throughout our schools and social media sites. The notion that homosexual adolescents don’t simply keep his or her sexual orientation private, but suppress this aspect of his or her being is detrimental to developing a strong sense of self. Sullivan’s description of the experience of growing up as someone â€Å"profoundly different in emotional and psychological makeup† reiterates how challenging it is for... ...elors. Journal of Counseling and Development, 36-40. Crain, W. C. (2000). Theories of Development: Concepts and Applications. Saddle River: Prentice-Hall. Elias, T. D. (2000, January 24). Gays Advance in California. Insight on the News. Knickerbocker, B. (2000, September 11). Election Spotlights Battle Over Gay Rights. The Christian Science Monitor. Raspberry, W. (2000, May 1). Why Not Encourage Monogamy? The Washington Post. Soule, S. A. (2004). Going to the Chapel? Same Sex Marriage Bans in the United States. Social Problems, 453-477. Teicher, S. A. (1999, July 19). Debate Heats up over same sex marriages. The Christian Science Monitor. Teicher, S. A. (1999, December 22). Ruling will stir states on same sex marriages. The Christian Science Monitor. Wood, D. B. (2000, March 2). Protecting marriage or marginalizing homosexuals? The Christian Science Monitor. Homosexual Adolescents Essay -- Homosexuality If one were to identify a time in life when the recognition of a homosexual identity would be most disruptive, adolescence would be at the top of the list. According to psychologist Erik Erikson, adolescence is a time of identity versus confusion. During adolescence, children are exploring their independence and developing a sense of self. Those who receive proper encouragement and reinforcement through personal exploration will emerge from this stage with a strong sense of self and a feeling of independence and control. Those who remain unsure of their beliefs and desires will insecure and confused about themselves and the future (Crain, 2000). The successful completion of these steps can be impeded by identifying one self as a sexual minority. Andrew Sullivan articulates his experience as a homosexual teen in his essay â€Å"What Is A Homosexual?† Homosexual adolescents learn from an early age that â€Å"survival depends on self-concealment (Sullivan, 2008).† Sullivan illustrates the internal struggle of the homosexual adolescent with a powerful statement, stating â€Å"...that which would give him the most meaning is most likely to destroy him in the eyes of others; that the condition of his friendships is the subjugation of himself (Sullivan, 2008).† The use of the word destroy is a haunting acknowledgement to the bullying that occurs throughout our schools and social media sites. The notion that homosexual adolescents don’t simply keep his or her sexual orientation private, but suppress this aspect of his or her being is detrimental to developing a strong sense of self. Sullivan’s description of the experience of growing up as someone â€Å"profoundly different in emotional and psychological makeup† reiterates how challenging it is for... ...elors. Journal of Counseling and Development, 36-40. Crain, W. C. (2000). Theories of Development: Concepts and Applications. Saddle River: Prentice-Hall. Elias, T. D. (2000, January 24). Gays Advance in California. Insight on the News. Knickerbocker, B. (2000, September 11). Election Spotlights Battle Over Gay Rights. The Christian Science Monitor. Raspberry, W. (2000, May 1). Why Not Encourage Monogamy? The Washington Post. Soule, S. A. (2004). Going to the Chapel? Same Sex Marriage Bans in the United States. Social Problems, 453-477. Teicher, S. A. (1999, July 19). Debate Heats up over same sex marriages. The Christian Science Monitor. Teicher, S. A. (1999, December 22). Ruling will stir states on same sex marriages. The Christian Science Monitor. Wood, D. B. (2000, March 2). Protecting marriage or marginalizing homosexuals? The Christian Science Monitor.