What is the meaning of societal legitimacy?
Societal legitimacy refers to how much society accepts something as normal, standard, commonplace, or appropriate. This can be determined by looking at laws, social norms, values, traditions, belief systems, institutions, behaviors, attitudes, and actions that are widely practiced and accepted within a given culture or community. The concept can also refer to power structures, economic systems, political policies, educational curricula, media representations, and religious teachings. Legitimacy often comes from consensus, authority, tradition, or sanctioning.
How does societal legitimacy affect LGBTQ individuals' mental health?
A lack of societal legitimacy can create feelings of isolation, rejection, exclusion, marginalization, and stigmatization among LGBTQ people. They may feel like they do not belong anywhere because they are seen as "other," "different," or "abnormal." These feelings can lead to depression, anxiety, self-hatred, low self-esteem, hopelessness, suicidal ideation, substance abuse, and other mental health issues. Even if there is some level of acceptance, the existence of prejudice, discrimination, violence, and hate crimes can still negatively impact their well-being.
Who experiences these effects?
LGBTQ people who face discrimination due to their sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression are more likely to suffer from poor mental health outcomes than those who experience less discrimination. Queer youth have higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidality than heterosexual peers. Transgender adults report much lower levels of life satisfaction, emotional well-being, and social support than cisgender counterparts. Bisexuals report greater anxiety than lesbians, gays, or straight people. People of color in the LGBTQ community face additional barriers that intersect with race/ethnicity, class, culture, religion, age, ability, location, etc., resulting in even worse mental health conditions.
How does this affect relationships?
Societal legitimacy has a major influence on LGBTQ individuals' relationship choices and behaviors. Many may hide their identities for fear of rejection or stigma, leading to internalized homophobia, bisexual erasure, transphobia, and queerphobia. They may feel shame about themselves and their needs, leading to problems communicating, connecting, and expressing intimacy. They may struggle to find safe spaces to explore their desires and seek partners who understand them.
What can be done to improve societal legitimacy?
There is no simple solution to improving societal legitimacy overnight. It requires widespread cultural change, political action, educational reform, economic restructuring, legal protection, media representation, religious reform, and other systemic changes. Individuals can take action by speaking up against prejudice, advocating for equality, supporting organizations that promote LGBTQ rights, and challenging stereotypes and misconceptions. Society must recognize LGBTQ individuals as full human beings deserving of dignity, respect, empathy, compassion, and support.
Additional information:
For more information on societal legitimacy and its effects on mental health, read the following resources:
- Article 1(https://www.apa.org/monitor/2021/06/lgbtq-mental-health)
- Article 2(https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.11777/21582435912110060798)
How do perceptions of societal legitimacy affect the mental health of LGBTQ individuals?
Perceived societal legitimacy can have a significant impact on the mental health of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) individuals due to various factors such as stigma, discrimination, prejudice, and marginalization.