Teacher-mentors and the educational resilience of sexual minority youth

Citation

Gastic, B. & Johnson, D. (2009). Teacher-mentors and the educational resilience of sexual minority youth. Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social Services. vol. 21 (2/3) pp. 219-231

Abstract

This is the first study to examine the benefits of informal mentoring on the educational resilience of sexual minority youth. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, we show that having a mentor, especially one that is a teacher, is associated with higher levels of post-secondary participation for gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth. Teacher-mentors are particularly significant to the educational resilience of sexual minority women of color. Unfortunately, sexual minority women of color are also the least likely to be mentored by teachers. Our findings underscore the urgency to understand how school- and community-based mentoring efforts can better meet and respond to the needs of sexual minority youth of color, especially women.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10538720902772139

Keyword(s)

Sexual orientation Education

Reference Type

Journal Article

Journal Title

Journal of Gay and Lesbian Social Services

Author(s)

Gastic, B.
Johnson, D.

Year Published

2009

Volume Number

21

Issue Number

2/3

Pages

219-231

ISSN/ISBN

1053-8720

DOI

10.1080/10538720902772139

Reference ID

1011