1 in 5 Teens Change Sexual Orientation During Adolescence

Question

I always think sexual orientation is a fixed thing. I just gave myself label like “gay,” “straight,” and “bi” before I even noticed it. And I probably would never remove that label. But psychologists suggest that sexual orientation is fluid, and that people may change their sexual orientations during adolescence.

      

     

1 in 5 teens report change in sexual orientation

      

To study how sexual orientation changes, the psychologists surveyed 744 high school students in the southern US over a three-year period about their self-reported sexual identities, romantic attractions and sexual behavior.

     

It turns out that 19% of teens changed at least once in self-labeled sexual orientation, like switching from heterosexual to bisexual. Some even changed their identity several times.

      

    

In addition, girls were more likely to change their sexual identity, with 26% reporting at least one change compared to only 11% of boys.

     

Changes in romantic attractions

      

Along with sexual identity, the psychologists also asked teens about the nature of their romantic attractions — that is, whether they were attracted to boys or girls. It turns out that 21% changed at least once. Specifically, 31% girls and 10% boys reported changes.

     

      

These results highlighted the fact that people may change their sexual orientations and who they feel attracted to during adolescence.

      

"Some adolescents shifted between sexual minority identities and/or attractions — gay or lesbian, bisexual, etc. as well as varying degrees of same-sex attractions — across all three years, others fluctuated between heterosexual and sexual minority groups,” said lead author J. Stewart.

      

Even among teens who said they were heterosexual, some boys and girls said they were attracted to the opposite sex or had same-sex sexual behavior over the three-year period.

     

     

Let me clarify it, the study does not mean that sexual orientation can be changed through some kind of therapy. That is harmful and useless. Instead, adolescence is an important time to explore one’s identity, including sexual orientation. So, parents out there should offer more care and attention to your kids during adolescence and prepare to help them.

  

Answer 1

Can't believe this.

Comments

It' s common. I like men in high school, both men and women in univ, and men now. I'm a woman.

Answer 2

I just love pretty face.

Comments

and pretty figures.

Answer 3

Calling it a change in sexual orientation is not helpful and actually is totally the wrong word to use. Everyone has some natural variety of sexual gender attraction and also outside social pressure to be like other people. Adolescence is a time of discovery of what you are truly drawn to, but some will pursue a more acceptable gender in order to please their families or friends or just in order to see themselves as "normal". They may not be able to distinguish between their own inner desires and the pressure that others place upon them. Experimenting with what suits you best is normal during formative years,  but to call it a change in sexual orientation is damaging because it gives fuel to the religious groups who are trying to force a change on children, creating intense inner conflict and self-loathing which drives many young people to suicide because they are made feel there is something deeply wrong with them.                                                                               Some people may never have a clear-cut polar sexual orientation, they are called bisexuals and they may shift interest back and forth between men and women or both their entire lives. But just because someone who is bisexual dates a man one year and a woman the next year does not mean they are changing their sexual orientation.

Comments

You are saying something.

Answer 4

My grandkids are going through this. The info from elementary school, sex education, is their problem. They were shown a picture of a penis (ugly, looks like a mushroom). They were told it would go inside them to make babies.  Sex education was not only problem, overly 'masculine '  female teachers, wanting to pass on to their students the opinions that homosexuality is normal.  Took God and pledge out, put liberal gay teachers into schools. This is why we need more school choice and more parents in the classroom monitoring what our kids are taught and that they are taught without bias. My son has been raising 2 girls on his own since "egg donor or mother"  decided she preferred a life of sex and drugs over her 1 and 3 yo girls. She visited very few times and 14 years later we have no idea where she is. But both girls are confused about who they are, "I may be gay, or transgender,  or not, Grandma". Son didn't know that they had sex ed class until they told me a few years later about the penis picture.  I re-explained the subject (still too young for me but wanted them to not be scared if they got their period). I answered questions and said I would be here to answer any others bc being a woman was hard and confusing at times with people telling you how you should feel.  I think it was a better idea for a parent approved film to be used to remove teacher bias. I think parents should be aware that the kids are being educated on xyz day and given pamphlets on how you might discuss with your kids.  Freaks some people out, kids and adults. Doesn't matter why, some people are uncomfortable. Kids need some person to talk to, so parents have that support person lined up years before you think you will need it. Fortunately my girls feel good talking to Grandma about everything. I just wish I had known how early school was going to brainwash my girls against penises!

Comments

I’m very glad that your girls have you to talk to about everything and I’m totally agree with some parts of your opinion. Teachers influence the attitudes of students about sex and relationships more than they can realize, so it is crucial for them to guide the students appropriately and scientifically. Besides teachers, parents and grandparents also play an important role in the growth and education of kids. As a result, pamphlets should be given to them to guide them how to discuss sex with children. However, not only should the teachers not have bias, but also everyone should regard others as equals. Homosexuality is equal to heterosexuality, so it is indeed normal. In the similar way, gay teachers should be respected, too.