Attitudes About Sexual Orientation Among children and adolescents, attitudes about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals vary considerably.
For example, children who are raised by same-sex parents or who grow up in politically and religiously liberal households are more likely to be accepting of members of the LGBT community than children raised in highly conservative or devoutly religious environments.
As your course text points out, a complex interplay often exists between religion and homosexuality, an interplay that can prove very complicated for teachers, counselors, childcare workers, or any other professionals or community members who work with young people to navigate.
The balance between acknowledging individuals' rights to their own beliefs and discouraging prejudice and discrimination can be a difficult one to strike. In this Discussion, you will consider how adults who work with young people should approach attitudinal issues related to sexual orientation. Read the following vignette: Margaret is a 25-year-old counselor at an overnight summer camp. She is in charge of a cabin of ten girls between the ages of 12 and 13. One evening, Margaret overhears a conversation between two campers, Sara and Marie.
Sara is looking at photographs that Marie has taped to her wall. "Is that your mom?" Sara asks, pointing to a photo of Marie with two smiling women behind her. Marie looks up and nods. "Uh huh." "Who's that, then?" Sara asks, pointing to the other woman in the photograph. Marie hesitates slightly. "Well, that's my mom, too. I have two moms." Sara pauses for a moment, confused. She wrinkles her nose.
"Wait a second, are you saying your mom is gay?" Marie looks at her steadily. "Yes, I have two moms. They're lesbians." Sara recoils. "That's gross! The Bible says homosexuality is a sin! My parents told me to stay away from gay people. Are you gay, too?" Marie looks at Sara indignantly. "You have no idea what you're talking about! Margaret, tell her she's wrong!" Reflect on the following:
• How do you think Margaret should respond to the situation described in the vignette? What should she say to Sara and Marie? What additional actions, if any, do you think she should take?
• Generalizing from this vignette, what role do you think adults who work with young people should play in transmitting attitudes about sexual orientation?
What conflicts might arise in cases when an adult's personal attitudes toward sexual orientation differ from those of the children/adolescents with whom they are working, and his or her family?
• Is it the responsibility of adults who work with young people to actively promote tolerance and respect for all, including LGBT individuals? Or could this be interpreted as overstepping their bounds? Why? With these thoughts in mind, follow the instructions below to post your response to this Discussion topic.
Post an explanation of your thoughts on how Margaret should respond to the situation described in the vignette, and why.
Then explain your view on the role that adults who work with young people should or should not play in promoting tolerant attitudes toward the LGBT community, and why.
Be sure to use the Learning Resources to support your response.