NCJ Number
171893
Journal
Journal of Lesbian Studies Volume: 1 Issue: 1 Dated: (1997) Pages: 97-107
Date Published
1997
Length
11 pages
Annotation
Questionnaire responses from 496 adolescent females ages 13-17 in 4 all-female institutions and 3 coeducational institutions were used to determine rates and causes of institutional homosexuality.
Abstract
The 7 residential institutions had populations ranging from 37 to 128 residents and an average length of stay from 4 to 9.2 months. Most youths attended school and worked on the grounds. The youths were asked about four forms of homosexual experience; terms were selected in an attempt to exclude asexual social and athletic contact. Participants were also asked about the number of females with whom they had had sexual relations and questions about actual and perceived deprivations of imprisonment, as well as other topics. Results revealed that the rates of homosexuality were as high in coeducational institutions as in single-sex institutions. The overall rates of homosexuality for all 7 institutions were 14 percent for going with or being married to another female, 10 percent for passionately kissing, 10 percent for writing love letters, and 7 percent for having sexual relations beyond hugging and kissing with another female. Findings also suggest that previous homosexual experience, which was often experienced in other correctional programs, explains much of the variance in institutional homosexuality. Findings did not support the deprivation perspective or the widespread belief that homosexuality is more prevalent in single-sex than in coeducational institutions. Findings indicate the need for research that focuses on positive rather than depriving and negative aspects of personal and contextual characteristics in homosexuality. Research should also examine the nature and role of first and early homosexual experience and of reinforcement in determining institutional homosexuality. Table and 6 references (Author abstract modified)