Gay/Lesbian Issues Among High School Adolescents

It is estimated that between 2 percent and 10 percent of the U.S. population is homosexual (McFarland, 2001). There may be as many as 3 million adolescents in the United States with a homosexual orientation (Callahan, 2001). These estimates suggest that of the adolescents who attend the country's public schools, about 1 in 20 is likely to be gay or lesbian. Thus, each time a middle school or high school teacher addresses, he or she is likely to be addressing one or more gay/lesbian students, who are described by McFarland (2001) as at risk for violence, verbal abuse, and harassment because of societal views of homosexuality which create unsupportive and unaccepting or even hostile environments at school and at home.

For teachers and high school counselors, learning to work effectively with gay and lesbian youth is increasingly important, particularly in light of the fact that gay and lesbian youth represent 30 percent of all teen suicide (Safe Schools Are for Everyone [SSAFE, 2003). The target group selected for this research study consists, therefore, of high school age male and female students who are gay or lesbian. Generally, this group ranges in age from 14 to 18 years. Harassment, violence, and verbal abuse directed at gay and lesbian high school students is an issue of significance to school counselors who are charged with the responsibility of understanding the unique stressors of g

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ity, the developmental process for adolescents who are struggling with the awareness and potential acceptance and integration of homosexual orientation can be a major challenge. In addition to the recognized developmental tasks of early and mid-adolescence, sexual minority youth encounter unique challenges related to the recognition of and response to a gay or lesbian sexual orientation. Tharinger and Wells (2000) include in these challenges navigating intimate and sexual same-sex relationships as well as the ensuing reactions of parents, family, peers, school, community, and society at large. Thus, from a developmental perspective, gay and lesbian adolescents are seen by psychologists as in a "high risk" context. Most gay and lesbian youth must attempt to make sense of their homosexual feelings within an ecology of homophobia and heterosexism. Developmental psychology research indicates that high-risk contexts have lasting effects when they damage or impair crucial adaptive systems. Tharinger and Wells (2000) believe that it is vital for school counselors and other adult caregivers to become more aware of, sensitive to, and ultimately responsive to the needs of this adolescent minority group. Johnson and Johnson (2000
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Approximate Word count = 2768
Approximate Pages = 11 (250 words per page)