How do media portrayals of LGBTQ relationships shape adolescents' self-perception, relational expectations, and identity development?
Adolescence is an essential phase for young people to discover who they are and what they want from life. During this time, their bodies change, their emotions become more complex, and they learn about the world around them through peers and media. While parents, friends, family, teachers, and religion can have an impact on how adolescents develop, so too does media. Media has the power to shape perceptions and attitudes towards various subjects, including sexual orientation, gender identity, and romantic relationships. In particular, depictions of LGBTQ couples in the media influence teenagers' views of these identities and create expectations that may not reflect reality. The following paper will explore how media representations of LGBTQ relationships affect adolescent self-perception, relational expectations, and identity development.
How do LGBTQ characters appear in the media? Research shows that traditional media outlets typically represent homosexuality as either comedic or pathological while heteronormative relationships are idealized.
In sitcoms like Will & Grace and Modern Family, queerness is often reduced to stereotypes such as promiscuity or hypersexuality. Meanwhile, heterosexual relationships are usually portrayed positively with happy endings (Moss et al., 2017). This creates a dichotomy between hetero/homosexual binaries which reinforces homophobia and heteronormativity among viewers.
The lack of LGBTQ representation perpetuates the idea that it is abnormal to be anything other than cisgender and straight. Therefore, when young people see media depicting only one side of the spectrum, they may internalize this message and feel isolated from others who don't fit into those categories.
What impact does this have on adolescents' self-perception? Adolescents who see themselves reflected in the media are more likely to form positive identities and believe they can achieve their goals (Nakamura & Comella, 2004). On the contrary, those who do not identify with any characters may feel less confident about their own identities.
If an adolescent watches a show where all main characters are heterosexual and cisgender, they may question whether there is space for them in society. Conversely, if they see LGBTQ characters having healthy relationships on TV, they will recognize that they too deserve love and acceptance. Thus, media representations influence how individuals perceive themselves and their place in society.
How do these depictions shape relational expectations? Studies indicate that adolescents learn relationship skills through role models such as parents or peers but also through fiction (Fredrickson et al., 2016). This means that if teenagers see exclusively hetero/homonormative couples on television, they might develop unrealistic expectations regarding intimacy. They might believe that same-sex partners must act out stereotypes rather than be genuine with each other or that romantic relationships should be perfect without conflicts. Alternatively, if they only see positive examples of queer relationships, they may set high standards which make finding love difficult later on. Therefore, it's essential for adolescents to have access to various types of relationships in the media so that they can understand what real love looks like instead of relying solely on fictional portrayals.
What effect does this have on identity development? Research suggests that teens who identify with positive LGBTQ characters report higher self-esteem and greater sense of belonging compared to those who don't see themselves reflected in the media (Gunter & Kimmel, 2009).
Seeing diverse identities normalized on screen helps young people feel validated regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. On the contrary, limited exposure leads to internalized homophobia and transphobia, wherein they question their worthiness due to being different from society's norms. Thus, media representations influence how individuals view themselves and others, impacting their identity formation process.
Media depictions of LGBTQ relationships shape adolescent's self-perception, relational expectations, and identity development by providing role models or reinforcing negative stereotypes. Positive representation allows them to see themselves as capable of achieving happiness, while limited exposure causes isolation and doubt. It is crucial to provide a wide range of relationship experiences in order for all youth to feel seen and valued. Only then will we create an inclusive society where everyone has equal opportunities regardless of sexuality or gender identity.
How do media portrayals of LGBTQ relationships shape adolescents' self-perception, relational expectations, and identity development?
Media portrayals have been instrumental in shaping adolescents' views about gender roles and sexuality (Brown & Rector, 2018). The representation of LGBTQ relationships has become more prominent since the past few years as society embraces diversity and inclusion. As such, media outlets are featuring more queer characters and storylines that show same-sex couples in romantic relationships (Gilbert et al.