In today’s society there are certain stereotypically people that are uninterested in gay or lesbian marriage. Everyone should have the right to decide on who they would like to marry. Gay marriage should be legal and a non-punishable offense because it can prevent teenage suicides, more children will be adopted, and people will not feel like second-class citizens. If humanity was to acquire gay marriage it would lower and prevent some teen suicides. Most teens are deciding and revealing what path they are going to take in middle or high school. “The number of suicide attempts among high school students decreased in states where same-sex marriage was legal. The findings covered thirty-two states that legalized same-sex marriage from 1999 to 2015” (Willingham). All kids have a hard time coming out to the world, and it causes them to not feel heard or accepted. When states make it legal more people that do not support it change their views when they see it is not different from a normal couple.
Many teens also feel less accepted by the world when it comes to other kids in their school. Students that do not support others orientation creates a bad environment. “Unsafe school environments prevent LGBT students from reaching their full academic potential” (Slater). The children have to feel heard or they will fall into a depression, and will shut out everyone that actually cares about them. Therefore, “safe spaces for LGBT students” (“LGBT Youth”) Which will allow kids to have a safe space with open minded people near them. With open spaces to tell their true feelings and having people that understand really helps kids open up more.
Another big thing with teens in this situation is that schools, families, and peers do not know how to communicate with them about safe dating. “18% of LGBT students had experienced physical dating violence” (“LGBT Youth”). This proves that society will attack children that are choosing to love someone they actually have feelings for. When something like this occurs people should prepare teens for safe sex. “The hostility and homophobia common among their peers and family members create a need for an array of specialized services, including sex education designed for the needs of gay
The United States of America was founded as a secular sanctuary for ideals like freedom, equality, and tolerance – few will argue against that. Over its history American culture has radically evolved as it strived to meet the ideals its nation was based upon, making changes like ending slavery and providing legal equality for women and minorities, changes that at the time seemed absurd but today are unquestionable merits that define what an “American” is. The quest to reach the ultimate utopian society continues today as true Americans fight the evils of ignorance, stubborn bigotry and the fear to change that still manifest themselves in a large portion of U.S. citizens, preventing this nation from moving forward. One of the outstanding minorities still left to be granted the ideals of freedom, equality, and tolerance are homosexuals trying to obtain the right to marry the person they want to spend the rest of their life with, regardless of gender. Same-sex marriages should be recognized in the eyes of the U.S. government in accordance with its responsibility to provide all American citizens equal freedoms.
School psychologists must help create and foster an environment that educates administrators, teachers, and non LGBT students. Many lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, and transgender youth do not feel safe in school. Sexual minority students may suffer harassment (verbal and/or physical) from teachers and peers. As a result, they may experience more absences than heterosexual students. In addition, LGBT youth may turn to drugs and alcohol as a means of coping with the stressful school environment (Patterson 2013, p.192). Many will contemplate or even commit suicide.
The Lesbian, Gay, Bi, and Transgendered (LGBT) youth population is one of the most vulnerable groups in our community. Being gay does not lead to risky behaviors or bad decision making, rather, societal stigma and discrimination can lead LGBT youth to seek emotional outlets. Today’s society has improved immensely towards the LGBT community, although it has not always been this way. Society can affect a person in shocking ways, influencing one’s unhealthy and unsafe physical and mental behaviors. This current vulnerable population deserves a voice and the simplicity of someone listening to them in order for both sides, accepting and non-accepting, to find a common ground and settle the violence.
The LGBT community has always been a topic that many do not recognize go through serious issues such as suicide. Being a middle schooler or high schooler can be very stressful especially when you feel you’re an outcast because of your sexual orientation. That is why implementing programs or even activities can provide individuals with the information they need to be more aware of what type of people are around them. This could also help LGBT students feel more comfortable interacting.
In addition to the hostility and embarrassment that homosexuals face every day, they also encounter political and legal policies and practices that prevent them from living a normal life like heterosexual people. For example, there are laws that prevent people of the same gender to be legally married to each other such as proposition eight in California. Gay people just want the right to be able to be happy with a significant other, make a family, and show their loyalty in each other through marriage. There is no difference whether that significant other is of the same gender or opposite, at the end of the day they just want that chance of happiness just like everyone else. Unfortunately, there are laws in places that prevent that from becoming true. Not allowing homosexuals to marry can affect many people’s lives and can even be detrimental to one’s health. For example in the article “The Case of Sharon Kowalski and Karen Thompson: Ableism,
Adolescents in general are often faced with many obstacles throughout their teenage years however; when homosexuality is in the equation this can make issues more complex. Adolescent who do not fit the “norm” because they are questioning their sexuality; they often experience discrimination, substance abuse, higher rates of suicide and victimization. As a result this group is considered to be a high risk population. When communities lack Gay- Straight Alliances also known as GSA adolescents are often shunned and are forced to hide their sexual orientation in social isolation. Increasing GSA support groups will help LBGTQ youths develop a positive self-image.
In the past few years all 50 states have legalized same sex marriage. The problem is same sex marriage is still not widely accepted in this American society. When people are getting arrested because they refuse to do their job and give out gay marriage licences that means there is a problem with the way that same sex couples are being treated. Gay marriage is a major hot button issue in America right now. To allow marriage or to not allow marriage has evoked a large argument that has caused many riots and problems. Gay marriage is the right for two people of the same gender to marry. But what most people do not think about is the benefits of marriage to this community of people. Society should work harder on accepting same sex marriage because it is not just about being happy (but that is a benefit), but it is a matter of decisions over life or death, money, and the life of children.
A few solutions to this issue is to make sure that the LGBTQ youths have access to safe havens that are tailored to them, with properly trained
Slurs and derogatory terms have influenced America’s adolescents, and weak parental figures have also acted as a cause in the nonexistent correction concerning this issue. In addition, if America does not begin to recognize that 9 out 10 LGBT students are being publicly harassed, both mental and physical, then the already high suicide rate will witness another increase. Parents need to start caring for their children's well-being. The emergence of communities built around
Recommendations on the support and safety of gay and lesbian students: Students dealing with sexual identity issues face increased risk of harassment and discrimination. Because of this, an individual may be at greater risk of suicide, low self-esteem, drug/alcohol abuse, and lack of support. Schools should implement policies to protect gay and lesbian students from such negative treatment, along with offer training, support, and counseling services for students and family
While trying to deal with all the challenges of being a teenager, LGBTQ teens also have to deal with harassment, threats and violence directed at them on a daily basis. LGBTQ youth are nearly twice as likely to be called names,
The world is forever changing with its tolerance of sexual preference, orientation and gender choice. Even though it is 2017, people are becoming more exceptive of this way of life, and it is still a very sensitive subject. The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) community is widely affected every day, with the youth being targeted more than ever. Sometimes individuals are scared to “come out” because of all the backlash they will face. Per the Center for disease control and prevention, most individuals know that they are "different" at a young age, about eleven or twelve years old (LGBT Youth, 2014). Many individuals that identify with the LGBT are ostracized; there are a plethora of support groups and understanding people
Gay marriage is a very talked about topic in are country that shouldn’t be ignored. I believe men and women should be able to love freely and not be shamed by it. Marriage is a great factor in the United States. To some people it’s what we live for; is to get married and start a family. To not give everyone the same opportunity to have a happy marriage and family is unlike us. This problem is bringing a lot of hate, the same hate that was used in racial discrimination so why not give gays equal rights like everyone else. Andrew Sullivan wrote a article that shares his experiences of coming out and being accepted. When puberty hit he started to realize he wasn’t the same. He knew that his marriage is not going to be the same as his
As the society changing, the history of marriage also changes. Marriage is legally recognized union of two people as partners in a personal relationship, but do those two partners always have to be a man and a woman? Most people believe that homosexuals should be granted equal rights as heterosexual couples. Being as an important social issue, same-sex marriage has become a hot topic of public debates in the recent years. For over the past decade, public support for the same-sex marriage has quickly risen. The United States is one of over twenty countries that allow gay and lesbian couples to wed. I believe that same-sex marriage should be legalized in all countries for several reasons, such as being an issue of equal rights, separation of church and state, no negative effect on the heterosexual communities, increasing in child adoption, and decreasing divorce and suicide rates.
Allowing same-sex marriages would change the basic definition of marriage. Marriage is an important commitment of a man and a woman who contribute to civilization. Therefore, the loss of contributions due to someone’s sexual orientation should not be rewarded with a privilege such as marriage. Same-sex marriages affect many factors such as children, the concept of marriage, and humanity. However, it is not a misdemeanor to love somebody of the same gender but it can rigorously damage many aspects of life.