How do hostile school climates contribute to learned helplessness or activism in queer teenagers?
Learned helplessness is when individuals give up trying to find solutions to problems because they think nothing can be done about them. This concept was originally developed to describe how animals learn that an unpleasant stimulus will always happen regardless of their behavior.
It also applies to humans who feel powerless in situations where there seems to be no way out. Queer teens may experience learned helplessness if they grow up in schools that are hostile towards LGBTQ+ students. They might become used to being ignored, excluded, bullied, or even attacked for expressing their identities. This can lead to feelings of hopelessness, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem. On the other hand, some queer teens may decide to take action against these hostile environments by organizing student groups, protests, or advocacy campaigns. Activist efforts can lead to increased visibility, allyship, and changes in policies, but they also come with risks such as harassment, physical violence, and trauma.
What does a hostile school climate look like?
A hostile school climate refers to an environment where LGBTQ+ students face discrimination, bullying, microaggressions, or other negative experiences based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. Some examples include:
* Teachers using derogatory language or making insulting jokes about LGBTQ+ people
* School policies or curriculum that exclude or stigmatize queer issues
* Bullying or violence from peers, staff, or administrators
* A lack of supportive resources for queer students, such as clubs, counselors, or safe spaces
* Policies or practices that limit access to bathrooms, locker rooms, or athletics teams
* An overall culture of silence around queer topics, leading to fear and isolation
Hostile climates can be created intentionally through explicit homophobia or unintentionally through lack of awareness and sensitivity towards diverse identities. Either way, they create a challenging environment for queer youth who already face unique pressures such as coming out, navigating relationships, and finding role models.
How do learned helplessness and activism develop in response to hostility?
Learned helplessness is often caused by repeated failures to solve problems, especially when those failures are due to external factors beyond our control. In the case of queer teenagers in hostile schools, this could mean repeatedly experiencing rejection, bullying, or harassment without any means to change things.
Some individuals may give up trying to fight back or even hope for better conditions because they feel powerless and hopeless. This can lead to depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and other negative mental health consequences. Activism can also emerge as an alternative strategy for coping with hostility. By organizing protests, petitions, social media campaigns, or other forms of advocacy, queer teens can take direct action against discrimination and work to improve their school environments.
This approach also comes with risks like harassment, violence, and trauma.
What factors influence whether someone becomes helpless or active?
The decision between learned helplessness and activism depends on many factors including individual temperament, support systems, personal experiences, and cultural context. Some people might have more resources or resilience than others to deal with difficult situations, while some cultures encourage action over passivity. Supportive adults, friends, families, or communities can also play a crucial role in helping queer youth navigate hostility and build resilience.
Students who are part of LGBTQ+ clubs or ally groups may feel more supported and empowered to take action against homophobia.
There is no single answer to how queer teens respond to hostile climates. Each person must decide what works best for them based on their needs, goals, and circumstances.
How do hostile school climates contribute to learned helplessness or activism in queer teenagers?
The hostile school climate can lead to a sense of learned helplessness or activism in queer teenagers because it may make them feel powerless and hopeless. This is often caused by their peers' lack of understanding and acceptance towards their sexual orientation, which can be isolating and demoralizing. On one hand, some teens might internalize this feeling as an indication that they are not worthy or capable of achieving anything significant.