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en studie av hur unga vuxna har upplevt utvecklingen till en homosexuell identitet
DevelopmentHomosexualityComing outIdentityProcessSocial problems and welfareNational insuranceSociala problemSocial välfärdSocialförsäkringPsychologyPsykologiLaw and Political ScienceSocial Sciences
The purpose of this study was to explore experiences of the process of developing a homosexual identity during childhood. We wanted to examine the experiences, feelings and thoughts that young adults, identifying themselves as homosexuals, had growing up in Sweden.For the study a qualitative method was used and nine interviews were made with young adults in the ages of 18 - 30. They answered our questions about their process of developing a homosexual identity, about their friends, family and school and about the society in general. We analysed the material from the interviews using the theory of the coming-out-process as presented by mainly Månsson and Hilte (1990).The main result from the study was that there were some difficulties for our respondents to become aware of their homosexuality and reveal their homosexuality to others. Most of our respondents experienced anxiety and/or fear as they were becoming aware of their sexuality but did become conscious about their homosexuality and accepted it before turning 21 years old. Most of the respondents also revealed their homosexuality to friends and/or family before becoming 21 years of age. In most cases friends and family reacted well, although parents often were a bit shocked, but this soon gave way for acceptance.