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Coming out of the Closet : Young Gay Men's Experiences in the Process of Coming Out

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Coming out of the Closet : Young Gay Men's Experiences in the Process of Coming Out Edith Cowan University Research Online Theses : Honours Theses 1996 Coming Out of the Closet : Young Gay Men's Experiences in the Process of Coming Out Ronald Macdonald Edith Cowan University Follow this and additional works at: https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons Part of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies Commons Recommended Citation Macdonald, R. (1996). Coming Out of the Closet : Young Gay Men's Experiences in the Process of Coming Out. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/710 This Thesis is posted at Research Online. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/710 Edith Cowan University Copyright Warning You may print or download ONE copy of this document for the purpose of your own research or study. The University does not authorize you to copy, communicate or otherwise make available electronically to any other person any copyright material contained on this site. You are reminded of the following: Copyright owners are entitled to take legal action against persons who infringe their copyright. A reproduction of material that is protected by copyright may be a copyright infringement. Where the reproduction of such material is done without attribution of authorship, with false attribution of authorship or the authorship is treated in a derogatory manner, this may be a breach of the author’s moral rights contained in Part IX of the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Courts have the power to impose a wide range of civil and criminal sanctions for infringement of copyright, infringement of moral rights and other offences under the Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Higher penalties may apply, and higher damages may be awarded, for offences and infringements involving the conversion of material into digital or electronic form. COMING OUT OF THE CLOSET YOUNG GAY MEN'S EXPERIENCES IN THE PROCESS OF COMING OUT by Ronald Macdonald A Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Award of Bachelor of Social Science (Youth Work) Honours At the Faculty of Health & Human Sciences, Edith Cowan University July 1996 USE OF THESIS The Use of Thesis statement is not included in this version of the thesis. ABSTRACT Coming out of the closet is a decision that all young gay men consider, however there has been little recent research undertaken which investigates this phenomenon. The purpose of this qualitative study is to provide an account of young men's experiences in the process of coming out and a critical analysis of the influences of cultural, political and social factors which impinge on the process. A phenomenological method (utilising Colaizzi's procedural steps) will be employed to collect data and to extrapolate common themes and meanings. A purposeful sample of seven young gay men were interviewed. Data was collected from taped interviews and the researcher's field notes. The research findings will add new knowledge to youth studies research as well as providing a basis for ongoing research in the area of gay studies. 3 Declaration I certifY that this thesis does not incorporate without acknowledgement any material previously submitted for a degree or diploma in any institution of higher education; and that to the best of my knowledge and belief it does not contain any m•terial previously published or written by another person except where due reference is made in the text. Signature Date ....... ~./..-5./t..k. .................. .. 4 .. Acknowledgements I would like to express my appreciation to the people who have helped, supported and encouraged me in the presentation of this research study. I particularly wish to thank my supervisor Trudi Cooper, who has been a constant source of practical and emotional support and guidance. Thanks Trudi. This undertaking would not have been possible without the young men who so openly and honestly shared their experiences with me. It was my privilege to have l;.een permitted entry into their lives, and I would like to thank them all for their participation and coutribution. My thanks also extend to the staff both past and present in Youth Work Studies, whose insights and expertise have aided my own process of intellectual and personal growth and development. Thank you all. Finally, a special thanks to my partner Gary for his unfaltering support and belief in me. 5 .:,._ ··-,''. ·_. ,'-.. :- ---- ... :,.,..:. Table of Contents COMING OUT OF THE CLOSET .................................................................................................................... 1 YOUNG GAY MEN'S EXPERIENCES IN THE PROCESS OF COMING OUT .••...•................................. 1 ABSTRACT .......................................................................................................................................................... 3 Declaration ............................................................ ., .......................................................................................... 4 Acknowledgements............................................................................................................................................. 5 TABLE OF CONTENTS ..................................................................................................................................... 6 CHAPTER ONE ................................................................................................................................................... 9 INTRODUCTION ...................•..•...........................................................•......••••..................................•................ 9 THE BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY ................................................. , ...... , ............................................................... 12 THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY ........................................................................................................................ 13 THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDY ................................................................................................................................ 14 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY........................................................................ ...................................................... 14 RESEARCH QUESTIONS .................................................................. , ....................................................................... 15 DEFINITION OF TERMS ....................................................... , .................................................................................. 15 CHAPTER TWO ..........................................................•........................................•......................................••.... 17 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK AND METHOD .........•..............................................•.............................. 17 THE FUNCTIONS OF THEORY,, .............................................................................................................................. 17 THE NATURE OF ESSENTIALISM ............................................................................................................................ 18 SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION THEORY .......................................................................................................................... 22 METHOD OF INVESTIGATION ................................................................................................................................. 25 Design.............................................................................................................................................................. 26 Sample ............................................................................................................................................................. 28 Procedure ........................................................................................................................................................ 31 Limitations ...................................................................................................................................................... 36 Ethical considerations ........................................................... ......................................................................... 38 Pilot study ........................................................................................................................................................ 39 Thllkl. Selected Examples ofSignificant Statements and Corresponding Formulated Meanings ................ 42 CHAPTER THREE .........................................................................................................•.......................•......•... 45 THE RESEARCH FINDINGS ..................................................................................•...........................•........... 45 THE SCHEMATIC STRUCTURE ......................................................... ,, .. , .................................................................. 45 Figure I. Diagram ofschematic struc:lure of the seven categories ofthemes ................................................. 46 CATEGORY I. TilE INFLUENCE OF MAINSTREAM HETEROSEXUAL CULTURE ........................................................ 47 The Family ....................................................................................................................................................... 48 The Education System ...................................................................................................................................... 52 The Woriforce ...............................................................................................................................................
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