Gay And Lesbian Students: Understanding Their Needs / Edition 1

by Hilda F. Besner, Charlotte I. Spungin

Overview

In an average US secondary school 10% of the student population is homosexual, yet only a small number of American school districts have taken positive steps to address the problems associated with gay and lesbian students in the predominantly heterosexual educational setting. This book aims to raise awareness of the problems encountered by these adolescents in schools and of the effects of these problems on the dropout rate, academic achievement, substance abuse, AIDS, teenage pregnancy, school violence and suicide.; Designed to promote understanding and dispel myths about gay and lesbian tennagers, the volume also makes curriculum suggestions to advocate self-acceptance and tolerance and to reduce homophobia among heterosexual teenagers. It seeks to explain how institutional homophobia has affected the belief system and behaviour of a large segment of the American population. Various themes concerning the origins of sexual development are discussed, as is information concerning students who are children of gay and lesbian parents.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781560323389
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	07/01/1995
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	190
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Hilda F. Besner, Charlotte I. Spungin

Table of Contents

Preface. The Origins of Homosexuality; Debunking Myths About Homosexuality; Understanding Homophobia; Homophobia in Society; Relevant Issues; Identifying and Understanding the Needs of Gay and Lesbian Teenagers; Unresolved Issues and Needs; Ways Help Can Be Provided. Appendix A: Further Reading. Appendix B: A Model Workshop on Homophobia for Educators. Appendix C: Resources. Appendix D: Famous Gays and Lesbians.

Editorial Reviews

Addresses problems encountered by gay and lesbian secondary- school students in a predominantly heterosexual population and what can be done to meet their needs at instructional, curricular, counselling, and administrative levels. Among the issues are the dropout rate, academic achievement, substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, AIDS, school violence, and suicide. Also explores the institutional contributions to entrenched homophobia and children of gay and lesbian parents. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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