LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) adolescents are people aged 14 to 21 years old who identify with these gender and sexual identities. They can face challenges negotiating their belief systems because of social stigma attached to homosexuality and nonconforming gender roles. Many societies have strong traditional religious values that forbid same-sex intimacy, and they struggle to reconcile this with modern cultural acceptance. These individuals must determine how they define themselves morally while still accepting the realities of society's expectations. This negotiation process can be difficult for them and may cause inner turmoil called moral dissonance. Moral dissonance is a psychological state where there is conflict between what one believes is right and what they are actually doing. When faced with conflicting beliefs, LGBT adolescents must determine whether they should continue practicing traditional religion or pursue their own belief system more closely aligned with contemporary norms.
One way to deal with moral dissonance is through compartmentalization. Compartmentalizing involves separating different parts of life into distinct categories, such as family life versus dating life. By separating the two, adolescents can maintain their faith while expressing their identity.
This technique requires conscious effort and self-discipline. Another method used by some LGBT adolescents is cognitive restructuring. In this case, they analyze their thoughts about the situation in order to change negative attitudes towards homosexuality or transgenderism into positive ones. Through education and reflection, they learn to accept themselves as who they are rather than trying to conform to societal expectations.
LGBT adolescents may also choose not to identify with any particular faith tradition altogether and instead adopt secular philosophies.
An atheist might follow humanist principles that value autonomy, rationality, equality, freedom of inquiry, democracy, and mutual respect for all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Some spiritual practices allow for diversity, including Paganism, Unitarian Universalism, and Taoism. These groups may offer support networks, educational resources, and community spaces for individuals struggling to reconcile religious values with personal identities.
How do LGBT adolescents negotiate moral dissonance between faith and contemporary societal norms?
The negotiation of moral dissonance is a complex process that involves many factors including social, cultural, and religious influences. For LGBT adolescents, this can be particularly challenging due to the often conflicting messages they receive from their families, friends, peers, and society at large. In addition to dealing with the internal conflict surrounding their sexual identity, LGBT youth may also feel pressure to conform to traditional gender roles and expectations within their faith communities.