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Same-sex Attracted Youths: Suicide and Related Factors

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 February 2016

Adrian Ashman
Adrian Ashman*
Affiliation:
The University of Queensland, Australia
*
School of Education, Social Sciences Building, The University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD 4072. Email: a.ashman@uq.edu.au
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Abstract

Same-sex attracted youths comprise 10% to 11% of the secondary school population although not all of those who experience same-sex attraction will adopt a gay, lesbian, transgender or transsexual lifestyle. Most, if not all, will experience homophobia in one or more of its forms. Many of these young people will cope well with the heterocentric attitudes and prejudices prevalent in secondary schools and the wider community and make the transition into adulthood having learned how to mask their sexual preferences or develop effective coping mechanisms to deal with homophobia. Some will succumb to the pressures they experience and seek less ideal solutions that include drug use and promiscuity. Some will take their own lives. This article draws attention to the complications of same-sex attraction and argues for a school and community response that recognises and appreciates the positive contributions that diversity of sexual preference brings to any community.

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools , Volume 14 , Issue 1 , July 2004 , pp. 48 - 64
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2004

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