Title
Conceptions of Gay Male Life-Span Development: Past and Present
Department/School
Social Work
Date of this version
2003
Document Type
Article
Keywords
life span, gay, coming out, social development
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1300/J137v8n02_03
Abstract
Four of Erikson's eight psychosocial crises were used in this qualitative, exploratory study as an organizing framework. Using a semi-structured questionnaire, seven men were interviewed with the goal of understanding how they have navigated Erikson's life stages. Significant results included: an early sense of being different and a period of time between "coming out to self" and "coming out to another person," both complicating Erikson's sense of "social trust." The men also described finding non-biological ways of achieving generativity as well as the development of a strong internal sense of authority or locus of control. Other strengths gained included: achieving a broad base of social support or a. "family of choice," and becoming role models themselves in response to a clear absence of positive role models during their own adolescence, which many identified as delaying their coming out. Finally, AIDS was discussed by many as a critical factor affecting how these men navigate each of Erikson' s stages. Implications of these tentative findings are suggested for research, teaching, practice, and for psychosocial theory itself.
Published in
Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment
Citation/Other Information
Roseborough, D. (2003). Conceptions of gay male life-span development: Past and present. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 8(2/3), 29-53. https://doi.org/10.1300/J137v8n02_03