Understanding The Mental Condition Of LGBT Children

Although gay and lesbian marriage is legal in India now, LGBT people still face stigma and discrimination from common people. LGBT comprise of Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender groups. Society can't accept them. The neighbours and even relatives keep on saying negative words about their sexuality. These negative experiences will lead most of the LGBT children to depression.

Think of a situation, an adolescent gay child is attracted to his peer and confess his feelings to him. But in contrast to polite rejection, the same boy keeps on insulting and bullying him for no reason. What mental state of this child be? This is a common scenario for most LGBT children. Almost all of them have faced a more or less similar situation. But this is not the thing they choose for themselves. Sexual orientation is a part of adolescence and we should respect their feelings.

Understanding Sexual Orientations

 Sexual orientation is generally categorised into four major divisions:

1. Heterosexual(Straight) - Attracted to the opposite gender
2. Homosexual(Gay and Lesbian) - Attracted to the same gender
3. Bisexual - Attracted to both genders
4. Transgender - people whose gender identity or expression does not match the gender they are born with

Being hetero, homo, bi and trans are not the things that a person can choose. Its just physical attraction a person feels when they hit adolescent. Despite being many misconceptions, there is no evidence that being gay is caused by early childhood experience, parenting styles or the way someone has raised their child.

People most specifically parents, force their child to be or pretend to be straight. But doctors say that this is the wrong practice and can be harmful to the child mental health.

When Kid Get To Know About their Sexual Orientation?

Kids recognize their feeling when they hit puberty. Those who don't realize that they are gay, they always feel different from their peers.

Becoming aware of being gay or lesbian takes time. They always feel social pressure and family rejections about their sexuality.

How Do They Feel? 

Gay student can feel stress about how they would fit in schools, grades, college, sports activity. An extra layer of stress that they face is whether they should hide their sexuality, whether they are being bullied or harassed for being gay. or whether they have to face judgemental looks on people face all the time.

 

These are some of the facts that a common straight person takes it lightly. But for LGBT people, they have to think about all these situations and make up their mind beforehand.

The fear of prejudice, rejection or violence can lead to a teen to depression, They have to keep their sexual orientation private and cut all social interaction among people.

Realizing the sexual orientation of LGBT is takes time. Many decide to tell how they feel to their most trusted friend or supporting a family member. This is called coming out. After this, they feel comfortable and secure for their future life.

How Parents Feel?

When a parent came to know his boy is actually gay, they may confuse and worry about their child. Some may wonder whether the new is true or not. Some are surprised to learn the truth. Psychologically, parents can't accept LGBT groups exist. 

Fortunately, there are many parents who understand and accept them right from start. They know these are just normal thing that need not worry about. 

But there are parents, who can't accept them as they are. They know the world more than a child. They predict their child could be bullied or harassed in schools and any social events. Therefore they are worried and force them to pretend them to straight. 

Some parents react with hostility, anger and rejection. This what hit them hard. They are most likely to become too aggressive or too quite. 

How Parents Support Their Kid?

Parents of LGBT teens remember that every child is a different and unique one. Everyone has their own experience and feelings along the way. Following are some of the tips for parents should do their child so that they feel secure and have peace of mind:

• When your child discloses about his sexual preference, then respond in an affirmative and supportive way
• Stand up for your child if they are mistreated
• Look out for danger signs that indicate the need for mental health care such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem,
•  During social gatherings, don't tolerate jokes and slurs on gender identity
• Support diverse friendship and social involvement without focussing on expectation around genders
• Motivate them by giving examples of LGBT celebrities and role models who stand up for their rights
• Support your child's self-expression. Listen their point of view towards life. Engage in conversation with them about clothing, jewellery, hairstyles, room decoration and many more...
• Exposure to people working and enjoying activities
• Talk to them about their problems and their expectation of life
• Check their interests, friend group and any bully or teasing might take place

Parents should always remember that they are the pillar of their life. It is the home where they feel secure. Hence even if you find it difficult to understand your child's gender identity, don't withdraw your role as a parent. They should feel a sense of being cared and accepted. Feeling loved has been shown to be critical to the overall health of a child regardless of their gender. 

Being LGBT is not a choice. Hence all people should be treated equally and can do as heterosexual people do. Coming out to others can be a liberating experience, especially for those teens who are embraced by their communities and families. LGBT teens may feel free to speak openly about their feelings For transgender and gender diverse teens, they may finally feel free to begin expressing themselves genuinely as the gender they feel inside.