The video, “LGBTQ: Understanding Sexual Orientation and Gender identities,” is a documentary detailing the experiences of teens identifying as LGBTQ. Teens face difficulties while trying to figure out their sexual orientation or gender identities due to insufficient information guiding on the same. For the ones who feel different from what their anatomy sexual orientation should be, they become confused and isolated. Due to misinformation and inadequate information on the LGBTQ subject, teens in the LGBTQ community face harassment at school as well as home. Parents, as well as siblings of such teens who do not understand the child, attempt to change their behaviors and likings to fit the “normal” sexual orientation. Schoolmates, on the other hand, might perceive the teen as immoral or ungodly for ones raised under a strict religious background.
Young kids can identify and subscribe to a specific gender or sexual orientation as early as twelve years old. It is hence important for the community to provide a safe space for them to do that. Teens should not feel embarrassed or forced to conceal their emotions on their gender and sexual identity. Schools are still problematic to LGBTQ teens as the majority claim that they find it challenging to talk about their identity. Talks and groups that are open to discussing the LGBTQ subject are essential to understanding sexual orientation and gender identities for teens. Programs that drive such discussions should be integrated into schools and the community as well. It is such discussions that will promote safe spaces in the entire community for LGBTQ teens.
Hello Dayami Lopez, your response to the video you discuss is enlightening. I agree that the little things that are easy to ignore are the ones that stress the young the most. People should be open to discuss teen depression. Teens experience depression just as much as adults do, and as you mention, depression affects anyone regardless of their social status. As teens grow, they need to identify their true definition of success so that they do not end up frustrated with the life choices they make along the way. Parents should focus on their children’s mental health to minimize the number of young ones experiencing anxiety and depression.
Hello Cindy Carrazana Medina. This is a very interesting thread your response has sparked. I agree that obsessive and overprotective parents are damaging to their kids’ success. Once a parent dictates the activities that their child should undertake as well as the performance levels they expect from them, it leads to anxiety and depression. It is important for parents to let their children explore their interests and other activities beyond academics. Kids who are free to identify their interests lead a successful life as they are satisfied with their careers and life choices. Freedom to choose contributes to improving the health of the children.