a new look at old issues

Denver, CO—The state legislature held a special conference Monday to address current adolescent issues.  Mental health professionals, school administrators, and parents convened to discuss the factors that most influence teens’ personal and academic development.  Also among those present were many groups of adolescents who were there to express their views and share their experiences.  Of most concern to all were the treatment of reproductive and racial minorities in schools, and the programs designed to help under-achieving students who are often from affluent backgrounds.

Addressing the conference attendees, Marc Jasperson, member of the Denver Board of Education, said: “The time has come to address the great disparities that exist in our schools.  Some of our teens are growing up in a hostile educational and social environment, and we need to understand the factors involved in order to make changes and address needs.” 

One important issue addressed at the conference was the treatment of reproductive minorities.  Those who are attracted to the opposite sex are often put at odds with the dominant gay and lesbian culture, and those individuals find few resources in addressing the needs that come with their heterosexual orientation.  One male student said, “It’s hard feeling so different for something you have no control over.  I have been attracted to girls my whole life, and nothing I do can change that.  And the only thing they really tell us we can do after we get our education is make babies.  I don’t just want to make babies, I want a career.”  Indeed, there has even been controversy over the term “reproductive minorities” because the term seems to stereotype people with a heterosexual orientation as only wanting to reproduce between themselves. 

Carrol Harnsworth, director of State Reproductive Services, begs to differ.  “These kids want special treatment just because they feel they need to reproduce with the opposite sex.  Our services are specifically designed so that no one should need to have intercourse to reproduce.  Our egg and sperm donation programs and our surrogate network are proving to be very effective in serving the needs of the community.  It’s difficult to understand why some people choose not to participate.”

One student who has firsthand experience with this issue is Janelle Goatson.  At 15 years old, she has fallen into a peculiar predicament, since she is pregnant due to heterosexual intercourse.  As a girl from a wealthy family, she already lacked the social status she so desired in school.  “Since my parents pay for everything, I don’t know what I will do or where I will go when they find out.  Kids make fun of me, calling me a “breeder,” and I don’t know if I can finish school in this kind of environment.”

Janelle’s experience is not uncommon for heterosexual teens.  They often experience emotional and psychological difficulties as the result of teasing and discrimination.  Though research has shown some links of a heterosexual orientation to genetics, there is still much debate as to why the orientation still persists in society. 

Dr. Paula Fortin, a Denver area psychologist, pointed out some measures that can be taken to better support underprivileged students: “Teens need a healthy support structure.  This structure involves home and school, parents and teachers.  Students of a higher socioeconomic status, in an ethnic or racial minority, or who have a heterosexual orientation need all the more support because of the severe psychological as well as social difficulties they face.  As educators and parents we can go back to the things that have always worked: open communication, building trust, emphasizing love and not judgment, and promoting programs that help our students succeed.”