The concept of sexual orientation has been around since time immemorial, but it is still one of the most sensitive topics in modern society. People have different views about homosexuality, which can lead to discrimination against them.
Despite being such an important part of life, the depiction of LGBTQ+ members in media remains limited due to prejudice. Stereotypes portrayed on TV, movies, music videos, and online platforms are often negative, resulting in adverse effects on adolescents' self-esteem, identity formation, and peer relationships. This article will explain how these stereotypical representations affect adolescents' self-esteem, identity formation, and peer relationships.
How do stereotypical or tokenistic media representations of LGBT individuals affect adolescents' self-esteem?
One way that stereotypical or tokenistic media representations of LGBT individuals affect adolescents' self-esteem is through reducing their confidence in who they are as people. These stereotypes make LGBT adolescents feel like they cannot be accepted for who they are, thus lowering their self-esteem levels. The stereotypes may suggest that gay individuals are less masculine than heterosexuals, while lesbians are unattractive. Such messages leave the adolescents feeling isolated, alienated from others, and rejected by society. Accordingly, they become less confident in themselves, leading to poor mental health.
Some studies show that gay teenagers are more likely to experience depression and suicidal thoughts compared to heterosexual peers (Mustanski et al., 2015).
How do stereotypical or tokenistic media representations of LGBT individuals affect adolescents' identity formation?
Stereotypes can also impact adolescents' identity formation by making them question their sexual orientation. Since most adolescents rely on the media to understand societal norms, they often believe what they see on TV or online platforms. Therefore, when these portrayals are negative, it becomes challenging for them to accept themselves fully. They may doubt whether they are 'normal,' causing confusion about who they truly are (Mustanski et al., 2015). Some even struggle with understanding why they feel attracted to same-sex partners since the media depicts this as a form of abnormality. In turn, this makes it difficult for adolescents to embrace their true selves, resulting in low confidence levels, which can lead to self-harm or other negative outcomes.
How do stereotypical or tokenistic media representations of LGBT individuals affect peer relationships?
Adolescents' peer relationships are another area affected by stereotypical or tokenistic media representations. When there is little positive representation of LGBTQ+ members in society, peers may not be willing to be friends with them because they assume such friendships will bring disrepute to them. The lack of support from peers can make adolescents vulnerable and increase the chances of depression and anxiety (Mustanski et al., 2015). It may also result in social isolation, which is linked to poor mental health. Moreover, the media stereotypes suggest that gay individuals are promiscuous, while lesbians are masculine, making it difficult for them to find romantic partners among heterosexuals. As a result, they may remain single longer than their straight counterparts. This further reduces their self-esteem levels since they cannot find someone who understands and appreciates them for who they are.
Stereotypical or tokenistic media representations of LGBT individuals have adverse effects on adolescents' self-esteem, identity formation, and peer relationships. They negatively influence how these young people view themselves and the world around them, leading to poor mental health outcomes. Therefore, it is essential to include more accurate portrayals of this group in the media to improve their lives.
How do stereotypical or tokenistic media representations of LGBT individuals affect adolescents' self-esteem, identity formation, and peer relationships?
Media representations of LGBT individuals have been found to impact youth's perception of themselves as well as their socialization process with peers. A study conducted by Gross et al (2015) shows that exposure to LGBT characters can lead to higher self-esteem among teens who identify as LGBT, while it also provides positive depictions of same-sex attraction for heterosexual adolescents.