"Unlocking the Integrated Reflection in Professional Development"

Integrative Reflection on the Social Construction of Deviance and LGBTQ Youth Homelessness

Through my coursework in sociology and communication studies, I have gained insights into interdisciplinary learning, enabling me to analyze systemic inequality. Currently, I apply this knowledge to a documentary project aimed at raising awareness and promoting change. Drawing on my understanding of societal dynamics and communication strategies, I aspire to amplify the voices of homeless LGBTQ youth.

Integrating perspectives gleaned from Introductory Sociology (SOCL 2001) and Political Communication (CMST 4100) has provided a nuanced understanding of the challenges LGBTQ youth face, especially homelessness. These disciplines offer more than just complementary analytical frameworks. They serve as potent tools for exploring the cultural aspects of the crisis and devising strategic communication strategies that surpass other approaches in efficacy.

 During my volunteering experiences with Unity of New Orleans. My interactions with LGBTQ youths exposed me to the harsh realities they endure, including family rejection and discrimination in housing and support services. This experiential learning has deepened my grasp of the theories discussed in class by grounding them in real-world contexts. Consequently, I now perceive the intricate dynamics among societal norms, institutional structures, and individual experiences more comprehensively.

The sociological concept of social constructionism, introduced in SOCL 2001, elucidates how identity categories such as “normal” and “deviant” are not inherent traits, but products shaped by prevailing power structures and cultural values. Across societies, nonconformity to monosexuality and traditional gender roles has historically been labeled as abnormal. In environments where heterosexuality and traditional gender roles are upheld as norms, any deviations from these norms are perceived as deviant (Burr & Dick, 2017).

 During my volunteer work with Unity and the Veterans hospital in New Orleans. I encountered firsthand accounts of LGBTQ youth facing situations of deviance, such as a boy experiencing familial rejection upon disclosing his sexual orientation.

These narratives underscore the application of deviant theory in sociology, which posits that marginal identities are often stigmatized as “devious.” Consequently, through advocacy efforts, I strive to address these challenges by implementing interventions that counteract the social labeling effect of rejection and alienation.

This theoretical perspective functions as a critical analytical tool for recognizing that LGBTQ people experience social exclusion due to their minority status. Manifesting as a systemic and omnipresent discrimination, it requires targeted and specialized actions to overcome this form of discrimination.

Parallel to this, the course in Political Communication (CMST 4100) emphasized leveraging the rhetorical framing of language to influence public opinion and political will. Through this approach, the course disclosed the possibility of advocating social changes using statistics, spokespersons, and media messaging narratives in campaigns.

One narrative that emerged from our advocacy initiatives was that of a teenager facing homelessness and family rejection due to his sexual orientation, serving as a compelling illustration of the urgency of our cause. This story underscored the supportive role of ethical storytelling in fostering awareness and moral consciousness.

Integrating sociological and communication perspectives facilitated the development of concepts for producing a documentary addressing solutions to LGBTQ youth homelessness. Sociological analysis revealed the structural factors contributing to these issues, such as families and familial rejection, exemplified by the story of a young boy who was expelled from his parents’ car during a vacation upon disclosing his sexual orientation. This information aligns with the findings of Ryan et al. (2009) and Gattis & Larson (2016), which highlight the impact of adherence to heteronormative attitudes on familial relationships.

Furthermore, insights from CMST 4100 Political Communication informed the documentary’s messaging strategy. Particularly, the concept of artful message framing encapsulated under the heading “A Home for Every Youth” was employed. This framing strategically combines statistical evidence with a call for “socially just” policies, aligning with the course discourse.

In conclusion, this integrative approach underscores the symbiotic relationship between sociology and communication. While sociological theory illuminates the roots of inequality and injustice, communication empowers advocates to influence public discourse and propel societal reforms. The interdisciplinary nature of these studies has significantly broadened my advocacy ambitions, emphasizing intersectionality in addressing complex societal challenges.

References

Burr, V., & Dick, P. (2017). Social constructionism. In B. Gough (Ed.), The Palgrave handbook of critical social psychology (pp. 59–80). Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-51018-1_4

Gattis, M. N., & Larson, A. (2016). Perceived racial, sexual identity and homeless status-related discrimination among Black adolescents and young adults experiencing homelessness: Relations with depressive symptoms and suicidality. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 86(1), 79–90. https://doi.org/10.1037/ort0000096

Ryan, C., Huebner, D. M., Díaz, R. M., & Sánchez, J. (2009). Family rejection as a predictor of negative health outcomes in white and Latino lesbian, gay, and bisexual young adults. Pediatrics, 123(1), 346–352. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2007-3524