Writer’s choice: Current Event (details below)

Choose a current event that, given the ideas you’ve learned in this class, you think might benefit from being looked at in sociological perspective. Prepare a report discussing the following:
• What about this event do you believe is sociologically relevant? Why could it benefit from being understood through a sociological lens? What assumptions do people make about it that sociology can inform (or change)? What does sociology bring to the table that differs from people’s everyday social and cultural assumptions?
• Apply at least one sociological theory to the event. In doing so, discuss how you think this theory would interpret the event. You can use any appropriate sociological theory of which you have knowledge, but you may want to choose from the broad theoretical perspectives you’ve encountered in this course:
o Structural-functionalism
o Symbolic interactionism
o Conflict theory
o Role theory
o Structural-strain theory
o Labeling theory
o Social constructionism
o Dramaturgical theory
• Apply at least one of the sociological concepts you have learned in your weekly lessons to the event. In doing so, discuss how you see this concept appearing in the event. Please choose from the following list:
o Social structure
o Power and authority (counts as one)
o Culture
o Socialization
o Deviance
o Social identity
o Presentation of self/interaction ritual
o Social change/social movements
Your report uses the following form:
• Written essay. If you choose this option, your essay should be approximately four (4) to five (5) pages (~1,000-1,500 words) in length, using size-12, doubled-spaced Times New Roman font with 1″ margins in your document. For guidance on writing an expository essay, please visit Purdue Owl’s Writing Lab.
Use APA Citations as required.

ANSWER

Homelessness among LGBTQ Youths

Housing instability and homelessness among LGBTQ youths have increased due to a lack of support in their homes. In recent reports, there has been a strong link between homelessness and incarceration among the LGBTQ Youth, with this population being highly represented in the juvenile justice system. Youths facing homelessness are rapidly increasing, with most facing challenges of sexual orientation and personal trauma (Wilson et al., 2020). A report by Trevor Project, whose mission is to prevent suicide among bisexual youth, indicated the high levels of family rejection and conflict and serious attempts of suicide, use of illegal drugs, and engagement in sexual behaviors among LGBTQ youth as compared to others (Cahová, 2017). This paper will focus on the current issue of homelessness among LGTBQ youth from a sociological perspective.

Sociological perspectives offer important insights into the workings of society. Understanding how society is organized and how people interact with each other makes it easy to understand the issues that affect everyone (Rohall, Milkie, and Lucas, 2021). Looking at an issue from a sociological perspective can help see the bigger picture and to understand the root causes of problems. It can also help find solutions that are more effective and lasting. Homelessness among LGBTQ Youth has been a current issue in the media. By understanding how society is organized, structural factors that contribute to this problem can be identified. For example, much LGBTQ youth come from families that do not accept them for who they are (family rejection and conflict). This can lead to them being kicked out of their homes and becoming homeless. Other structural factors include discrimination in housing and employment, which make it harder for LGBTQ youth to find stable housing and jobs.

Sociology brings different perceptions from everyday cultural and social assumptions since it focuses on the macro and micro relationships that lead to a problem in society (Rohall, Milkie, and Lucas, 2021). This includes the social forces and structures that shape individual beliefs, norms, and expectations that are at the heart of sociology. These forces impact interactions, experiences, and outcomes in lives. Sociology offers a systematic and objective approach to understanding the causes of a problem which includes not only individuals but also the social structures within the society.

Looking at homelessness among LGBTQ youth from a sociological perspective can help see the root causes of the problem and find more effective and lasting solutions. There is a need to address the structural factors contributing to homelessness among LGBTQ youth, such as discrimination in housing and employment. In addition, there is a need to provide support for LGBTQ youth who are at risk of becoming homeless, such as through crisis counseling and shelters that are safe for them.

Homelessness among LGBTQ is a sociologically relevant issue that needs to be understood from a sociological perspective. The homelessness issue is a sociological inquiry that needs to be evaluated to understand the root problem of homelessness among LGBTQ youths. Sociological imagination can bring an understanding of the bigger picture behind the individual reasons for homelessness among LGBTQ youths. Ideally, sociological imagination entails the ability to see a context that shapes people’s decisions and choices. This allows a better understanding of the various aspects of society rather than living passively within the context.

Labelling Theory

Labeling theory states that society assigns labels to certain groups or individuals, influencing their behaviors. Ideally, people come to behave and identify in ways that reflect how others view them. Therefore, the behaviors of an individual can be determined by the terms used to classify and describe them. Labeling theory posits that people are labeled as deviant or abnormal based on their appearance or behaviors, and this label then affects how they are treated by others (Triplett & Upton, 2015). This can lead to further deviance and social exclusion, which can, in turn, result in homelessness. LGBTQ youths are particularly vulnerable to homelessness, as they often face discrimination and rejection from family and friends. This can leave them feeling isolated and alone, with nowhere to turn. They may also be reluctant to access services for fear of being rejected or discriminated against. As a result, many LGBTQ youths end up sleeping rough or in unsafe and unsuitable accommodations.

Symbolic Interactionalism Theory

Sociologists who adopt a symbolic interactionist perspective focus on the way that people interact with each other and how they create meaning in their lives. They believe everyone has a unique perspective or subjective view of the world. This means that people interpret the actions of others in different ways. The theory states that individuals respond to the fundamentals of their settings concerning the independent means attached to the elements (Nickerson, 2021). Considerably, meanings are modified and created through social interaction with other people. The symbolic interaction perspective seeks to understand the human connections within society, focusing on the symbols that help give meaning to the encounters in life. Interaction through symbols and languages helps understand how people interact in the society. For instance, LGBTQ youths face particular problems, such as homelessness, due to meanings created about this youth group. They face discrimination, social stigma, and rejection due to their subjective meanings. LGBTQ youths have difficulty finding shelters that respect and accept them. Symbolic interactionism can help us understand how LGBTQ youths experience homelessness differently from other groups. For instance, homophobic attitudes and behaviors from family members, friends, and strangers can contribute to a feeling of isolation and social exclusion among LGBTQ youths. This can make it difficult for them to find and maintain stable housing.

Social Identity

Social identity reveals a person’s identity in terms of the groups with which they are associated. Social identity is defined through an individual’s social, physical, and mental characteristics. Social identities include an individual’s position in social structure, understanding the various social and cultural factors influencing the extent to which a person is pressured to fit into a certain identity (Podvoyskiy & Soleimani, 2019). An individual’s knowledge about certain social groups influences how they perceive an individual from the social set. Social identity enables an individual to be part of a group and adopt to the characteristics of the group in the social world.

Social identity suggests that people identify with groups based on shared characteristics, such as race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation. This can influence how they see themselves and how others see them. For LGBTQ youths, their sexual orientation or gender identity may be a significant part of their social identity. This can make them more likely to experience discrimination and violence and feel isolated from family and friends.

Conclusion

Sociological perspectives can help see the root causes of social problems and find more effective and lasting solutions. Sociological perspectives can also help us understand the structural factors contributing to homelessness among LGTBQ youths. By understanding the structural factors that contribute to homelessness among LGBTQ youth, it’s easy to address them. Providing support for LGBTQ youth at risk of becoming homeless can help prevent homelessness before it happens.

References

Cahová, T. (2017). The Trevor Project and It Gets Better Project: Models for Suicide Prevention for LGBT Youth? (Doctoral dissertation, Masarykova univerzita, Filozofická fakulta).

Nickerson, C. (2021). Symbolic interactionism theory & examples. Simply Psychology.

Podvoyskiy, D. G., & Soleimani, S. (2019). The concept of social identity: Basic research approaches. RUDN Journal of Sociology, 19(4), 825-834.

Rohall, D. E., Milkie, M. A., & Lucas, J. W. (2021). Social psychology: Sociological perspectives. Waveland Press.

Triplett, R., & Upton, L. (2015). Labeling theory: Past, present, and future. Handbook of Criminological Theory, pp. 271–289.

Wilson, B. D., Choi, S. K., Harper, G. W., Lightfoot, M., Russell, S., & Meyer, I. H. (2020). Homelessness among LGBT adults in the US.