vulnerability and sexuality in schools

I agree with Lydia that sexuality is influenced primarily by genetics. And it can be inherited, the reason why other sexualities are becoming more 'popular' is due to society becoming more open about the subjects and allowing non-heterosexual people to go about without fear (mostly) of being persecuted for their instinctive behaviour. In the past, there were many (for example) homosexuals who ended up breeding with a member of the opposite in order to conform to societies standards, the ever present instinct to 'fit in'.

And while there are more 'gay' characters on tv, how they are represented is highly stylised and stereotypical, setting an unrealistic expectation of many homosexuals in reality, much like how there are so few people with autism portrayed on tv except for the 'savants', which makes life harder for those of us on other parts of the spectrum.

Back to the point of this topic however, Longman, I feel that you may be correct to an extent in that those on the spectrum subconciously dress in a manner to deter interaction with NT's, not neccessarily to avoid sexual experimentation, but in response to the general bullying many on the spectrum are subjected to in an NT society (whether its intended or not).

In the end, when given the chance I began dressing how I wanted (tom-boy, I cut my hair really short, still wear mens clothing to this day) because I had learned that no matter what I did, I would still be victimised for being myself. I've always regarded 'sexy' clothing or 'trendy' clothes as uncomfortable and impractical. But this behaviour wasn't limited to myself, others often bullied or excluded from social circles often wore their own clothing that would be regarded as unattractive. These people prefer to build relationships and friendships based on personality.

I was often called a *** for having my hair so short (typical mens cut, an inch in length at its longest) until having short hair became 'popular' in celebrity fashion. That resulted in people no longer questioning my sexuality, but they quickly found 'flaws' in my personality to attack.

Most young people follow a fashion trend in their attempts to belong, and are inclined to bully and exlude those who do not dress/act/speak the way they do, so those of us who don't fit their ideals end up following our own ideals of dressing or behaving as we realise that it isn't our clothes that make the narrow minded predators pick on us, its their own nature and its best we simply leave them to it and avoid contact. It also enables the 'outcasts' to identify each other, it wasn't too hard in 6th form to tell which cluster of people would be the self absorbed 'barbies' and which would have the more caring and down to earth people.

There's also the matter of plain old self interest. I suffer from hypersensitivity, and dress accordingly, and the most comfortable clothes I can find happen to be 99.9% of the time made for men, so I wear mens clothes (which aren't flattering on a female figure). I am not attempting to 'attract' anyone who would judge me simply on looks, therefore, I prefer to avoid any and all femenine clothing unless it's something I particularily like (and even then it usually only gets used on special occassions).

I think promoting a sense of worth is important to adolesents on the spectrum, as I found growing up that those who wore less sexulised clothing (both male and female) often had more values and substance to their personalities than those who did. Teachers are also of no help as they often try to advise 'outcasts' to either bond with other 'outcasts' or to change their behaviour in order to 'fit in'. Being an individual is often second to acceptence in their eyes.

I theorise that a large portion of NT's are instinctively predators, particularily if they have a 'pack'. In order to assert dominance over others, they'll prey on those different (and often alone) in order to gain some semblence of superiority. This behaviour of trying to assert dominance seems to be strongest during puberty, as they attempt to determine where they are on the unspoken hierachy in the playground. This applies to all people, no matter their mental or physical condition. Anyone can fall victim to the dangerous practise of peer pressure.

I agree with Lydia that sexuality is influenced primarily by genetics. And it can be inherited, the reason why other sexualities are becoming more 'popular' is due to society becoming more open about the subjects and allowing non-heterosexual people to go about without fear (mostly) of being persecuted for their instinctive behaviour. In the past, there were many (for example) homosexuals who ended up breeding with a member of the opposite in order to conform to societies standards, the ever present instinct to 'fit in'.

And while there are more 'gay' characters on tv, how they are represented is highly stylised and stereotypical, setting an unrealistic expectation of many homosexuals in reality, much like how there are so few people with autism portrayed on tv except for the 'savants', which makes life harder for those of us on other parts of the spectrum.

Back to the point of this topic however, Longman, I feel that you may be correct to an extent in that those on the spectrum subconciously dress in a manner to deter interaction with NT's, not neccessarily to avoid sexual experimentation, but in response to the general bullying many on the spectrum are subjected to in an NT society (whether its intended or not).

In the end, when given the chance I began dressing how I wanted (tom-boy, I cut my hair really short, still wear mens clothing to this day) because I had learned that no matter what I did, I would still be victimised for being myself. I've always regarded 'sexy' clothing or 'trendy' clothes as uncomfortable and impractical. But this behaviour wasn't limited to myself, others often bullied or excluded from social circles often wore their own clothing that would be regarded as unattractive. These people prefer to build relationships and friendships based on personality.

I was often called a *** for having my hair so short (typical mens cut, an inch in length at its longest) until having short hair became 'popular' in celebrity fashion. That resulted in people no longer questioning my sexuality, but they quickly found 'flaws' in my personality to attack.

Most young people follow a fashion trend in their attempts to belong, and are inclined to bully and exlude those who do not dress/act/speak the way they do, so those of us who don't fit their ideals end up following our own ideals of dressing or behaving as we realise that it isn't our clothes that make the narrow minded predators pick on us, its their own nature and its best we simply leave them to it and avoid contact. It also enables the 'outcasts' to identify each other, it wasn't too hard in 6th form to tell which cluster of people would be the self absorbed 'barbies' and which would have the more caring and down to earth people.

There's also the matter of plain old self interest. I suffer from hypersensitivity, and dress accordingly, and the most comfortable clothes I can find happen to be 99.9% of the time made for men, so I wear mens clothes (which aren't flattering on a female figure). I am not attempting to 'attract' anyone who would judge me simply on looks, therefore, I prefer to avoid any and all femenine clothing unless it's something I particularily like (and even then it usually only gets used on special occassions).

I think promoting a sense of worth is important to adolesents on the spectrum, as I found growing up that those who wore less sexulised clothing (both male and female) often had more values and substance to their personalities than those who did. Teachers are also of no help as they often try to advise 'outcasts' to either bond with other 'outcasts' or to change their behaviour in order to 'fit in'. Being an individual is often second to acceptence in their eyes.

I theorise that a large portion of NT's are instinctively predators, particularily if they have a 'pack'. In order to assert dominance over others, they'll prey on those different (and often alone) in order to gain some semblence of superiority. This behaviour of trying to assert dominance seems to be strongest during puberty, as they attempt to determine where they are on the unspoken hierachy in the playground. This applies to all people, no matter their mental or physical condition. Anyone can fall victim to the dangerous practise of peer pressure.