Juvenile Delinquency: LGBT Bullying Statistics - Research Paper Example

? Juvenile Delinquency Introduction There are many challenges that come with one being a youth; body changes, career choices, identity crisis as well as the societal requirements. Lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual youth (GLBT) are not an exception to these challenges. In addition, they deal with stigma, harassment threat and violence due to their sexual orientation. Shocking statistics show that 31% of gay youth have faced threat and have been injured in the last one year (Bureau of Justice Statistics Datasets, 2012). As the number of LGBT community increases every day, the society needs to be enlightened on their rights. They are entitled to respect just like any other human being. It is unfortunate that the society has proved so rigid that it does not appreciate the changes that come with community dynamisms. They turn to punishing and discriminating against people who deviate from the so called societal norms. However, in the recent past, most countries have recognized the rights of the LGBT community and governments are passing laws that will protect this community. This is happening in the West and some few countries in the South. Africa and Asian countries are still dragging behind due to stringent cultural and religious beliefs. Religious leaders have also come out and expressed their willingness to end religious discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Last year, over 100 Christian ministers from different parts of the world came together to campaign for the LGBT community (Caitlin, 2009). Although, there was a lot of criticism from different sectors, they went ahead and allowed same sex marriages in their churches. This is a milestone towards achieving a world free of violence and discrimination against the LGBT community. Various denominations including Church of Christ, Methodist, Episcopalian, Presbyterian as well as Lutheran, came together to change the notion that the Christian church is ant-gay. This formed the basis of a general acceptance of LGBT in the community. Their argument was based on the fact that God created us all. Since their sexual orientation is neither by choice nor by birth defect, then we have an obligation to accept God’s creation. This comes as a relief to the LGBT youth who have been silently carrying out their activities with fear of victimization and violence from their counterparts. In addition, a day has been set aside every year to enlighten the society on the LGBT community and their rights (Caitlin, 2009). LGBT Bullying statistics Many homosexual individuals and especially youth are a target of bullying incidents on a daily basis. According to the statistics from the LGBT community, one out of every four students in elementary school has been subjected to harassment and bullying. The bullying could be due to discrimination on the basis of ethnicity, race, disability, religion, gender or sexual orientation. However, the common cause of discrimination is based on sexual orientation (Garnets, 1990). This is very unfortunate because they are considered to have set themselves against the societal norms. Moreover, statistics show that lesbian and gay teenagers have higher chances of committing teen suicide compared to the other youth. Thirty percent of the suicide cases can be attributed to sexual identity crisis. Teenagers in the LGBT community have been reported to miss school due to bullying and discrimination by their peers as well as the teachers (Caitlin, 2009). Teenagers are at a vital stage of their lives. They are trying to find their identity and discover what happening in their bodies and around them. Any form of harassment, bullying and teasing may adversely injure their self-esteem and ruin the rest of their lives. Sexuality is a very sensitive topic especially to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth. It should be handled with a lot of care and professionalism. However, this is lacking in our society. People have branded members of LGBT community as deviant and treat them without respect. Young youth who have experienced bullying due to their sexual orientation have been reluctant to report or share their experiences with their teachers or parents. However, statistics show that most teachers ignore and do nothing about the cases reported. Parents also do the same for the fear of being victimized by the community due to their children’s sexual orientation (U.S Department of Health and Human Services, 1989). Types of bullying as a form of violence on LGBT youth Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth are exposed to violence in several ways. These include physical, verbal, cyber bullying as well as indirect bullying. Cyber bullying is the recent form of violence associated with advancing technology. It is carried out via websites, chat rooms, instant messages, emails and text messages among others. Physical violence entails attack, physical injury and assault to the body. It could also be inform of destroying or stealing one’s property. Verbal bullying occurs when the members of LGBT are called names due to their sexual orientation. Indirect bullying is the most common form of violence or crime against LGBT. It sometimes happens without the knowledge of the person committing it (Remafedi, 1987). This includes spreading rumours about the sexual orientation of a person as well as excluding them from social gatherings. A lot has to be done to reduce the levels of bullying cases as a form of violence and crime among LGBT youth. National Education Association, National Association of Social Workers, American Federation of Teachers as well as American Counselling Association have teamed together in order to protect LGBT youth. This has happened after they came to a consensus and appreciated that there is diversity in the way we are created (U.S Department of Health and Human Services, 1989). First, the whole world needs to understand that the presence of LGBT is a reality and respect needs to be accorded to these youth. This will increase their acceptance in the community, hence reducing cases of violence and crime. To achieve awareness, there is need to conduct training of all people on the rights and freedoms of LGBT. In addition, a curriculum that contains the rights of LGBT should be introduced in elementary schools. This equips the youths with adequate knowledge on sexuality and helps them to accept LGBT community. Moreover, the society should allow LGBT youth to form alliances and participate in development projects. Instead of looking down upon them, they should be given the necessary support. This will enable them to feel that they are part of the community. The school psychologist just like the social worker is at a vital position to bring a new dawn to the acceptance of LGBT youth and reduce violence and crime. This should focus on the emotional, physical psychological and social well being of LGBT. Readily available and accessible counselling services should be in place for the youth. The school psychologist should be able to educate teachers, school administration as well as students on LGBT. In addition, schools through the psychologist and with involvement of the social workers should reach out to the parents and school boards (DAugelli, 1995). LGBT youth violence and developmental patterns During the fifth and sixth grade, most LGBT teens start having a feeling of being different from others. When their behaviour does not conform to that of other youth of their age, they are isolated and painfully made aware of the deviation from what the society refers to as norm. They are branded names such as tomboys for the girls and sissies for the boys. A confusion crops up when these children are in the middle class, and realize that they are attracted to people of their own gender. At this stage, rejection and discrimination becomes part of their lives. Some are lucky to have a loving family to run to after school. Others face the same cruelty at home as they face in schools. This has been documented as the major cause of LGBT teenage suicide (Remafedi, 1987). Most LGBT youth spend a better part of their lives hiding their sexual orientation so as to avoid the stigma that comes with it. This accounts for the highest cases of stress and depression owing to the dilemma that they will have to deal with on a daily basis. The reasons why they keep their sexual orientation a secret is because of the knowledge of the attack and mistreatment of LGBT youth by the society. This has a negative impact on the teenagers especially at the early stages of development (Garnets, 1990). Victimization of LGBT youth and psychological adjustment LGBT youth in a school setting are three times likely to experience violence and harassments as compared to their heterosexual counterparts. Studies show that these youth are frequently reported to be involved in physical fights. They turn to fighting as a defence mechanism for violence and crime against them. This also happens to the LGBT youth who are outside a school setting. In addition, statistics show that more than half of LGBT youth have experienced property damage. These youth have also been exposed to humiliating acts such as being spit on, having clothes pulled off as well as being gang raped (Herek, 1984). Most GLBT youth have confessed to having defensive mechanisms that puts them at risk. About 34% carry with them sharp and dangerous weapons. This happens because they live in fear and have to find ways to defend themselves in case of attacks. Studies have shown that LGBT youth are at high risk of drug addiction compared to their heterosexual counter parts. They indulge in drugs as a way of running away from the realities of what they are going through. This does not heal the situation. In fact, it makes it worse. Young adults develop negative feelings as a result of repeated harassment and a negative response from the society. This could lead to future psychological adjustment problems. There is a relationship between teenage victimization and a negative social behaviour in adulthood. LGBT youth who have experienced rejection are likely to suffer posttraumatic stress disorder during their adulthood. This will cause early deaths as a result of suicide as well as other opportunistic diseases (DAugelli, 1995). LGBT youth risk of contracting HIV AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases Studies have shown that gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual youth have high infection rates when it comes to HIV AIDS and other STIs. This is because they have sexual behaviours that expose them to STIs as compared to their heterosexual counter parts. They never consult on how to practise safe sex. Most of the LGBT are not aware that their sexual behaviours are putting them at risk. A case study carried out in the year 2008 showed that at least 14% of African-American LGBT youth between the ages of 15 and 22 are HIV positive. About 7% of Hispanic LGBT of the same age are also infected with HIV. In addition, about 77% of those tested positive believed that their status was negative. Black LGBT youth seemed ignorant of their status with 9 out of every 10 having never tested for HIV. This is high compared to 6 out of ten of white LGBT (Bureau of Justice Statistics Datasets, 2012). Research has focused on HIV among LGBT youth and ignored other sexually transmitted diseases. Therefore, more research has to be done in this area as it is a source of risk to the community. However, a study carried out in the United States in the year 2006 showed that 64% of LGBT youth are infected with syphilis, either at primary or secondary stage (Office of Justice Programs, 2012). Policies in place to protect LGBT youth Currently, only 13 countries have passed laws that are meant to protect LGBT youth and especially students in school. A number of states do not consider sexual orientation and gender harassment as a hate crime. Student Non-Discriminatory Act (SNDA) is vital in every country. This will protect LGBT youth from discrimination in schools, homes and other social gatherings. The LGBT community has launched a massive campaign so as to ensure all its members are protected. Building confidence in a person starts early in life. This is why the community has more emphasis on teenagers as opposed to adults. However, this does not mean that adults are ignored (DAugelli, 1995). United Nations passed a resolution in the year 2011 to recognize the rights of the LGBT community. In addition, a report was produced containing what constitutes violation of LGBT’s rights. The report was received with mixed reactions from people all over the world. Countries that have no heterosexist discrimination were at the front line in advocating for LGBT rights. They include Canada, Argentina, Norway, Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, Belgium, Sweden and Iceland (Office of Justice Programs, 2012). In Louisiana, marriage between people of the same gender is a crime. LGBT rights in the country have declined year after year. While most countries are accepting and creating laws to protect gay people, Louisiana is moving in the opposite direction. Some time back, the country had laws that protected LGBT youth. However, these laws have an expiration date. Currently, marriage between people of the same sex is illegal in the country. In case people got married in another country and then later settled in Louisiana, the couple will be afforded no legal rights according to the laws of the country. The same thing happens to most countries in the South. This is due to culture, traditions and conservative nature of the societies (Garnets, 1990). The United States Congress has proposed Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) that will protect employees from discrimination based on gender or sexual orientation. This will give the LGBT community equal chances in the employment sector. Surprisingly, in most African countries, a worker can be fired on claims of being gay. In addition, the department of Human and Health services in the United States informed the state through a letter on its effort to achieve equity towards the LGBT community. This could be achieved through estate recovery, transfer of assets as well as Medicaid towards LGBT community. President Obama’s administration came up with laws regulating LGBT rights to visit their spouses in hospital in the year 2011. This happened after a case of two lesbian partners Janet and Lisa. Lisa died in a hospital due to negligence on the part of the doctors and nurses. In addition, they could not allow Janet to see her partner (Office of Justice Programs, 2012). LGBT youth and marriage Most people are advocates for equal rights to the LGBT youth; rights of protection, housing, public accommodation, jobs as well as government benefits. However, these same people display double standards by opposing marriage between people of same gender. Statistics show that about seventy percent of citizens of United States are supportive of gay rights. At the same time, the same percentage opposes gay marriage (Juvenile Justice, 2012). There is a lot of misconceptions about LGBT youth marriage. In addition, people have proved ignorant of homosexuality realities. They assume to know and protect their rights while in reality they need more knowledge on the same. People have the perception that LGBT relationships are promiscuous, shallow, temporary and uncommitted. Others argue that what these people have does not qualify to be called a relationship. This is because they believe that there is no emotional connection involved. Homosexuals’ relationships face the same challenges that straight relationships face the society. One should not be surprised to hear older LGBT claiming that they cannot find a younger partner because they are all taken. These are the realities of the contemporary world which people should have the right information. However, as LGBT youth mature, they get into long-term relationships just like their straight counter parts. One is able to appreciate this through socialization with LBGT youth and attending their events such as PFLAG conventions and pride festivals. Contrary to the society stereotype, homosexual partners are often monogamous, devoted and loyal to their partners. Statistics show that LGBT partners are law abiding, respect their partners, active in family life and are willing to integrate with their neighbours (Juvenile Justice, 2012). However, their efforts are limited by frequent violence and crimes that they face. If they were respected, their participation in community policies and charity would bring difference in the world. This is because they are determined to make their relationships better as well as those of their neighbours. Experts argue that acceptance and legalization of LGBT youth marriage will help fight promiscuous behaviour among the partners. This will reduce cases of HIV AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. A healthy community will be created through partner’s faithfulness, both heterosexual and homosexual. In countries where same sex marriage has been legalised for some years, the citizens and other stakeholders have a lot of positive things to say about the move. For example, in Denmark, LGBT marriages were legalised in the year 1989. Since then, the government has no regrets (Remafedi, 1987). The world needs to join hands and seek information on LGBT youth and marriage. Traditions and conservative culture which draws back understanding and acceptance of gay marriages needs to be abandoned. People need to understand that homosexuality is not multi-dimensional. This means that LGBT cannot choose to change and get attracted to the opposite sex as it is the notion of many people. In addition, they are not out to get sex only. They seek love, companionship and satisfaction just like the heterosexuals. LGBT is not a character that is inherited or transmitted (Juvenile Justice, 2012). This is identity and should be respected. Their union should be equally respected and not illegalised like it is currently in most countries. Conclusion A lot has been done in the recent past towards protecting LGBT community. However, there is still so much that is remaining. If we will have a world where people are not discriminated on the basis of their sexual orientation, then all of us need to be involved. Everybody has a role to play towards attaining a world of equity. The school stands a better chance of changing the community and producing individual who respect the diversity of human nature. A curriculum that incorporates sexuality and gender differences with a bias in LGBT should be introduced (Caitlin, 2009). This will create a generation that has greater understanding and knowledge of diversity in sexuality. At the same time, schools should be made a safe place for the student regardless of their sexual orientation. Respect should be emphasized. This will ensure that that harassment, violence and bullying are prohibited. At the same time, teachers, staff and the school administration should be in the front line in the war against discrimination to LGBT group (Herek, 1984). They should be allowed to form groups and involve in activities just like the other peers. The school administration should set out places that the LGBT youth can seek guidance and report cases of violence and victimization. The languages used in curriculum to refer to the IGBT should be of respect and inclusive. Awareness towards HIV and other STIs should be given the first priority. Parents also have a major role to play in ensuring that LGBT youth have a healthy life. They should talk to their sons and daughters on matters of sexuality at a young stage so as to avoid confusion. LGBT youth need to be shown love. This has starts from acceptance by both the parents and the community as a whole. Rejection could cause severe physical and mental effect to the youth in their future lives. Most parents acts in denial and will not appreciate their LGBT son or daughter (Remafedi, 1987). However, they require guidance and counselling on how to handle them and show them love. The other two vital groups in the fight against LGBT violence and crime are the church and the government. Churches should allow LGBT youth to participate in various activities. This will help fight the stigma as well as set example to the rest of the community. In addition, they should hold forums that will act as a platform for discussing issues affecting LGBT community and the way forward (Caitlin, 2009). On the other hand, the government should pass legislative laws that protect LGBT youth. People charged with violation of these laws should be punished accordingly. This will set example to the rest of the society. References Bureau of Justice Statistics Datasets - Data.gov. (n.d.). Data.gov. Retrieved April 18, 2012, from http://www.data.gov/list/agency/29/48/catalog/raw/page/1/count/50 Caitlin Ryan, D. F. (2009). Lesbian and gay youth: care and counseling. Mellion: Hanley & Belfus, Inc. DAugelli Dark, L. (1995). Vulnerable populations: Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth. Vulnerable Students’ journal article, 1(19). Garnets, L. H. (1990). Violence and victimization of lesbians and gay men: Mental health consequences. Journal of International Violence, , 5(3). Herek, G. (1984). Beyond "homophobia": A social psychological perspective on attitudes towards lesbians and gay men. Journal of Homosexuality , 10(1/2). Juvenile Justice: National Center for Youth Law - youthlaw.org. (n.d.). Home: National Center for Youth Law - youthlaw.org. Retrieved April 19, 2012, from http://www.youthlaw.org/juvenile_justice/ Office of Justice Programs: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. (n.d.). Office of Justice Programs. Retrieved April 18, 2012, from http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/about/offices/ojjdp.htm Remafedi, G. (1987). "Male Homosexuality: the Adolescent's Perspective.". Paediatrics issue 79 U.S Department of Health and Human Services, (1989).“Report of the Secretary’s Task Force on Youth Suicide: Gay Male and Lesbian Youth Suicide”. Read More