16-year-old Taylor recently "came out of the closet" and revealed to his parents that he is gay. The result was heated arguments between Taylor's mother and father who completely disagree on what, if anything needs to be done. The father thinks that Taylor is in desperate need of help and wants him to start therapy immediately. He can't understand how their son "turned out that way" when neither of them did anything wrong as parents. The mother says their son doesn't need therapy and is just a teenager going through a phase which he will outgrow. The father shouts back that she is in denial. Taylor, meanwhile, has had enough of all this arguing and is regretting ever telling his parents anything. He wants to drop out of school, get a job, and move out of the house. Which member or members of the family should start therapy?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Taylor and both parents all can benefit greatly from therapy. Being gay in itself is not a problem; it is how the individual and those around him deal with it that can make it a problem. The father needs therapy to help him get rid of his prejudice, and the mother needs therapy to accept the facts and recognize that being gay is not just some temporary phase her son will outgrow. Taylor needs therapy so that he does not let his sexuality and parents' disapproval cause him to doubt himself or make poor life choices.

16-Year-Old Taylor Recently "Came Out of the Closet" and Revealed