Notes

Schools can create an environment where certain sexual feelings, behaviors, and relationships are stigmatized, potentially leading to negative consequences for adolescents with nonheterosexual romantic attractions. This stigma may cause them to distance themselves from school during a crucial period of preparation for adulthood, ultimately impacting their future success. Research has shown that sexual minority youth often face more school-related challenges, such as feeling less connected to school and experiencing difficulties with teachers and peers. This lack of social integration can have a significant impact on their academic achievements. Data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health and the recently conducted Adolescent Health and Academic Achievement study offer a unique opportunity to investigate whether same-sex attracted youth transition into adulthood at a disadvantage in terms of education. Our study aims to determine if same-sex attracted adolescents have lower academic success, whether this is linked to a lack of social integration in school, and if these patterns differ between boys and girls. The findings indicate that same-sex attracted students, particularly boys, tend to struggle academically, partly due to school-related challenges and risk factors like emotional distress and substance use. However, a significant portion of this academic disadvantage remains unexplained. Interestingly, while same-sex attracted boys exhibit poorer academic performance, same-sex attracted girls do not, suggesting that gender may influence how sexual minority youth navigate and respond to school environments that marginalize them. Adolescence is a crucial stage characterized by the emergence of sexuality and the preparation for adulthood. Schools play a significant role in this developmental process, serving as important socializing institutions that equip adolescents with the necessary skills for adult responsibilities and higher education. However, schools can also contribute to an unwelcoming atmosphere for students who have nonheterosexual feelings, identities, or behaviors, as they are often subjected to societal norms that stigmatize and marginalize them. This can pose challenges for adolescents who experience same-sex romantic attractions, as they struggle to reconcile their feelings with a system that suppresses their voices and labels them as different. jj jn