Study: Gay, bisexual kids bullied more, even at early age
NEW YORK — Gay and bisexual kids are more likely to be bullied as they’re growing up — even at an early age, according to the first large U.S. study to look at the problem.
Public school students in three cities were asked about bullying in the 5th, 7th and 10th grades. When they reached high school, they were asked if they identified themselves as gay, lesbian or bisexual. The researchers then looked back at what those kids had said through the years about their experiences being hit, threatened, called names, or excluded.
Overall, many of the nearly 4,300 students surveyed said they were bullied, especially at younger ages. But the 630 gay and bisexual children suffered it more.
The researchers found 13 percent of them were bullied on a weekly basis in 5th grade, compared to 8 percent of other kids. In both groups, the rates went down as the students got older — but the disparity persisted.
“In fifth grade, they already were bullied more than other kids” — even though, at that young age, many gay and bisexual kids haven’t discovered their own sexual orientation yet, said the lead author, Dr. Mark Schuster of Boston Children’s Hospital.
The data doesn’t say why each kid was targeted. But most were likely picked on for being ‘different,’ he said.
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I could have told them this!
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