Beyond Biomedical Approach: Exploring Perceived Child-Rearing Elegances, Education on Sexuality, and Immediate Environment’s Effects on the Quality of Life of Homosexuals in India

Abstract

This exploratory endeavour seeks to chart a course for future research by delving into the perceived parenting styles, foundational sex education, and the inherent need for belonging among homosexual individuals, and examining their subsequent influence on the overall quality of life. The claims of biological models explaining homosexual behaviour have been misleading and are used to perpetuate self-serving agendas (political/ ideological) on contrary the psychosocial claims are orthodox likewise (gender stereotyping, prejudice) (Weinrich, 1995). The extant body of research is notably deficient in comprehensively addressing these variables within the context of homosexual populations, thereby lacking in inclusivity and representation of diverse sexual orientations. (Makwana et al., 2023; T, 2019; Mishra & Singh, 2022). Employing perceived parenting style scale (Manikandan, K. 2020)., need to belong (Leary & Cottrel,l 2013), and perceived inclusivity scale for initial sex education (Keiser et al., 2019) to comprehend various aspects in 117 homosexual adolescents drawn through purposive sampling. Later qualitative aspects of this mixed method exploratory study employ structured questionnaire of WHOQOL: Measuring Quality of Life subsequently, thematic analysis was utilised to extract and elucidate the underlying themes. Authoritative parenting is prevalent akin to heterosexuals, a smaller number of adolescents received initial sex education while lower need to belong is witnessed among the homosexual adolescents. Qualitative results showcase themes like low social interaction, initial sex education deficiency and early trauma as hindrance in better quality of life.