The concept of resilience is generally understood to mean the ability of individuals, groups, communities, organizations, countries, or ecosystems to deal successfully with adversity, trauma, shock, threats, or stressors. Resilience can be viewed as a necessary quality for coping with difficult situations and finding solutions to overcome them. It has become increasingly important in psychology research as a way to examine how people respond to various life events that may be negative or challenging.
Resilience in queer lives has been largely neglected as a phenomenon in academic literature, despite the fact that many LGBTQ+ individuals face discrimination and oppression in their daily lives. This article explores the ethics behind this omission and examines whether resilience is an imposed form of survival in response to societal neglect of queer communities.
It should be noted that many queer individuals experience prejudice, exclusion, and violence due to their sexual orientation, gender identity, expression, and other characteristics.
They are often rejected by family members, denied employment opportunities, victimized by hate crimes, and stigmatized by society. As such, they must develop strategies for dealing with these experiences to continue living, working, and forming relationships. In other words, resilience becomes a necessity rather than a choice. On the other hand, some scholars argue that resilience is a cultural construct, meaning that it is created by society's expectations of what constitutes success in the face of adversity. Therefore, it could be seen as a quiet form of survival imposed on queer individuals by society.
There is another viewpoint that suggests that resilience can also be considered as an ethical imperative for queer individuals, particularly those who belong to minority groups within the broader LGBTQ+ community. It is argued that resilience can help them resist dominant narratives about their identities, challenge social norms, and create new spaces where they can thrive. By refusing to give up or conform to societal pressures, queer people may empower themselves and others around them. This perspective emphasizes the agency of marginalized groups and highlights the importance of self-determination in coping with oppression.
The concept of resilience is not only relevant to queer communities but also to wider society. The ability to bounce back from difficult situations can benefit everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Resilient individuals are more likely to find solutions to problems and innovate in times of crisis. They also have a greater capacity for empathy and understanding towards others, which helps build stronger relationships and foster inclusive environments. In this sense, resilience can promote social justice and change attitudes towards minority groups.
Resilience plays a crucial role in the lives of many queer individuals who experience discrimination and prejudice daily.
Its ethics remain controversial as some argue that it is a product of societal neglect, while others see it as an essential quality for challenging dominant norms and promoting inclusion.
It is important to recognize the value of resilience as a resource for all people and use it to create positive changes in our world.
Is resilience in queer life an ethical imperative or a quiet form of survival imposed by societal neglect?
The concept of resilience is frequently used in psychology and can be described as a process that people go through when they face adversity or hardship. It involves a capacity for individuals to adapt and overcome challenges and difficulties. Queer lives involve facing discrimination, prejudice, and marginalization on a regular basis, so some may argue that resilience becomes an essential skill for them to cope with these stressors.