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Beside meeting and talking, European youth groups organise and participants are involved in numerous things; from camping trips, soccer teams, running all-ages parties, and many other affirming activities. This in stark contrast to the activities of groups in Toronto, across Canada, in fact, where the pressures of legal liability and the lack of support for their work have caused the activities of groups to be exclusively limited to the realm of the group discussion.
If we accept that youth groups are so very important, then who uses them? The German study found that the percentage of gay youth going to youth groups were virtually identical in municipalities with fewer than, and more than 100,000 inhabitants, indicating that they are equally important to have not only in metropolitan areas, but also in smaller towns – a total of 60% overall attend groups (Niedersachsen, 9). The capacity of an average North-American-style youth group is approximately twenty persons, which severely restricts the number of people who can hope to gain any benefit from them. The European model of free-flowing, relaxed chatting and interaction allows far more people to encounter their peers, and through those interactions, find solutions to the challenges they face.Sexuality:
Among the most fascinating aspects of the life of gay youth is the question of sexual maturity and of relationships. The age at which the individual realises his gay ego, the age at which he first experiences sexual activity, and the age at which he develops his first relationship with another person. The results for these milestones are consistent across the board, from Calgary to München. It is also interesting to compare these to other studies, in particular one performed during the first half of the 1970’s in Germany.
The mean age for first sexual experiences with someone of the same sex in recent surveys was found to be between 16.8 and 17.2 years. Compare this to the age determined during the earlier study: 15.8 years – a clear rise in age. Conversely however, the age at which gay youth are beginning to discover their homosexuality has declined – from 15.2 years in 1973 to 12.8 years today, echoed by the age at which the individuals were certain of their sexuality: 16 today, 18 in the earlier study (Niedersachsen, 12 - 15; UK Polls).
The ages identified by the German study do not only deviate from the 1970’s study – they also present us with some additional information when compared with a 1997 study of heterosexual youth. When we place the ages of the three key stages of sexual maturity identified above, we find that gay youth mature roughly one year after heterosexual youth. A possible result of this is the enhanced pragmatism evidenced in the thought patterns of gay youth (Niedersachsen, 13).
A result of this delayed maturity is a marked shift away from sex as the sole icon of ones sexual orientation. The fact of the matter is that gay youth today are more concerned about loneliness and life without a partner than they are about the attachment-free sex that the previous generation of gay individuals, and the current generation of heterosexual individuals demand.Needs and Next Steps:
Gay youth have two primary needs – shared with heterosexual youth: Firstly, a need for integration into the adult world [socialisation], and secondly the need to find one’s own path [individuation] (Niedersachsen, 31). The social framework which traditionally enables one to navigate a path between these two polar opposites does not adequately accommodate the needs of gay youth – it does not allow for a true expression of identity. The necessary flexibility can only be provided by the gay subculture which has experienced the trials and tribulations of gay youth. The majority of participants in the German study named the integration of their sexual identity as part of their everyday lives as their main goal. Parents, friends, teachers should be able and willing to accept their sexuality without ifs and buts, should even have an understanding of the issues and challenges surrounding homosexuality, and allow for the possibility of falling in love in everyday life. The German study identifies two specific areas where work would be most effective toward creating the aforementioned situation. One the one hand, society must become more open to gay and lesbian issues and topics; on the other, gay/lesbian society and subculture must be strengthened and enriched, to provide the best possible framework for nurturing through dialogue.
Life is challenging for all young people, but none have a harder job than lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth. Their lives are not made easier when services and opportunities which would so very much enrich them are removed or simply never offered. As we can see from the comparison of the North American to the European models of youth groups, the approaches that are taken here may very well be inappropriate for this situation. The image of the gay youth as sex-starved party animal has here been shown to be inaccurate: in fact, they are less interested in sex than their heterosexual peers, and, less likely to be involved in drugs than them (Niedersachsen, 20).
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Comments
A really interesting study... Umi A. | Jun 9th, 2002
I have realized that the main reason homophobia presists is due to stereotypes and misconceptions about homosexuality. The fact that you brought important surveys and statistics to light really helps creating a more positive image of gay youth, and creates a sense of awareness regarding the problems and obstacles they consult in their lives. A very very good article. Hope to read more from you in the future! :)
Joel Solow | Jun 13th, 2002
Truely an important issue, and a good article. Despite living in New York, one of the more tolerant/liberal of all American cities, I understand the challenges that face 'queer' teens, whether in the mid-west, or Canada. I'm actually working on a gay issues-focusing chapter in a book, and if you'd like, I could send you an interview, maybe get some of your opinions in the chapter. just e-mail me at insearchoffaith@yahoo.com if you're interested.
-Joel
wow! Ha Thi Lan Anh | Jun 24th, 2002
dont have time to go through all rite now but denifitely come back and dig it :) interesting study.. i do believe there are quite some youth gays in my city and the number is rising.. but in Vietnam and asian countries as well i think people are really afraid of gays,hate them even,thinking they being gays means they have deseases.. lots of mistereotypes about them and also misunderstandings.. the thing is we havent really cared and theres noone really dare to talk about youth gays problems..
well done Karis | Jun 25th, 2002
Yes, I finally got around to fully reading it. Hahahaha, it was interesting, don't you fret about the flow of your writing.
Yes, Deutschland has a reputation around the world for being very gay-friendly (from my experiences), and Canada is a little cold (hahahaha).
I didn't know that the gay youth group sit. was so pathetic here in Toronto, I really am interested in trying to fix it! I really am!
And it is really good to look at the things homosexual teens have to dealwith in other parts of the world. I remember speaking with someone in Manila, and they gave me some excellent insight. It goes with what Angel says, actually, and it makes me sad.
Online communities aren't as fulfilling, true, but there's a start. There is a start. I don't know! I'm thinking about all this...
thanks for reminding me!
Definately Adam Dexter | Jul 25th, 2002
This is a pretty big issue, and I am glad that there are more and more people that are concerned (not just homosexual youths).
Humans may have differences that set them into categories (which is sad) but if you draw the line in reverse, you will come to the concept of everyone being human. And this in itself is the greatest generalization anyone can make.
Just my opinion Courtney Rider | Apr 21st, 2004
I'm not into writing tons but this is a huge issue for me although I myself am not a gay youth. Many friends I have are though and are persecuted because of it. For example, just last week my friend "Joey" was canned and rolled down the hill in a garbage can. I can't stand to have these things going on. I commend you for being bold enough to put your opinion on here and I can only hope that i try to make an example like you.
Human Rights shirley lokito | May 24th, 2004
It's a basic human right to choos their path of life and have the resposibility of their own body, including their reproductive system. I strongly agree that there should be more gay studies, being taught at school, etc. in the belief that our society would be a better place to live in, without any clash between this group of people and that group of people. That kind of dislike between gay poeple and normal people is always exist but there something we have to do to suppress it. APART FROM THEIR SEXUAL ACTS, THERE"S NOTHING SEPARATING.
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