Growing up in society today is a difficult thing to do. Children are constantly under exposure to influencing factors such as the media, friends, and most importantly their parents. What is socially acceptable can be hard for children to cope with if they do not fit the "social norm" presented to them. Generally, an adolescent having to cope with their homosexuality in the midst of this has a harder time growing up than a heterosexual adolescent? Many views held by some members of society in America today reflect negatively on homosexuality, and have a very real affect upon the self-esteem and self-image of Gay teenagers.
Until December 10th, 1977 homosexuality was considered a psychological disorder in the United States. On that day, the American Psychiatric Association dropped homosexuality as a disorder, because it was no longer believed to be connected with psychological problems. A psychological disorder is defined as "a condition in which behavior is judged to be atypical, disturbing, maladaptive, and unjustifiable." Homosexuality is certainly atypical of the social norm as well as disturbing to some people, but it is not destructive to the person in and of itself. Scientists still are uncertain as to the cause of homosexuality, but, being gay myself and having many gay friends, I have found that homosexuals differentiate individually. .
Many, like myself, feel that they are gay due to factors of nature; born with the genetically pre-disposition towards homosexuality. A person who is born gay has little to no chance of being able to ignore that aspect of them-self, without repressing a very important and key part of their psyche. Thousands of teenagers commit suicide each year, and for many of them, a contributing factor in that choice is their inability to deal with their homosexual feelings. .
For those whom being gay is a factor of nature, most become aware early in life that they are different.