1
Gender Identity and Sexuality in Adolescence Paper
Ava Williams
College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Grand Canyon University
PSY-355: Child and Adolescent Psychology
Professor Larry Barron
April 30, 2023
, 2
Gender Identity and Sexuality in Adolescence Paper
When children hit puberty and start to grow up it might be hard for them to fully figure
out their gender identity and sexuality. Over the years more and more adults and adolescents
have came out with their gender identity and sexuality as it has become more welcoming and
more media has show that there is nothing wrong with it. According to Santrock, “They involve
learning to manage sexual feelings (such as sexual arousal and attraction), developing new forms
of intimacy, and learning the skills to regulate sexual behavior to avoid undesirable
consequences,” (2022). There are many shows and movies that show characters that are part of
the LGBTQ+ community and shows the struggle they have to go through in their day-to-day life.
In this paper it will explain the life, challenges, support of the character Jules Vaughn in the show
Euphoria and how what factors influenced her development, and how religion/Christian
worldview influences gender and sexuality identity.
Jules Vaughn, a 16-year-old transgender female, is the new girl to the town of East
Highland in the show of ‘Euphoria’ written by Sam Levinson. At the beginning of season 1 you
learn that Jules was born a male but at the age of 13 transitioned to a female with the support of
her dad. Jules at first had no friends and was targeted at “McKay’s” party where a boy named
Nate got in her face and made fun of her to the point where she had to threaten him. At this party
when she was leaving is where she met Rue, a drug addicted 16-year-old, and they became best
friends and eventually date. In the first season Jules struggles with online dating, being
transgender, figuring out her sexuality and making friends. According to Santrock, “It is
commonly believed that most gays and lesbians quietly struggle with same-sex attractions in
childhood, do not engage in heterosexual dating, and gradually recognize that they are gay or
Gender Identity and Sexuality in Adolescence Paper
Ava Williams
College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Grand Canyon University
PSY-355: Child and Adolescent Psychology
Professor Larry Barron
April 30, 2023
, 2
Gender Identity and Sexuality in Adolescence Paper
When children hit puberty and start to grow up it might be hard for them to fully figure
out their gender identity and sexuality. Over the years more and more adults and adolescents
have came out with their gender identity and sexuality as it has become more welcoming and
more media has show that there is nothing wrong with it. According to Santrock, “They involve
learning to manage sexual feelings (such as sexual arousal and attraction), developing new forms
of intimacy, and learning the skills to regulate sexual behavior to avoid undesirable
consequences,” (2022). There are many shows and movies that show characters that are part of
the LGBTQ+ community and shows the struggle they have to go through in their day-to-day life.
In this paper it will explain the life, challenges, support of the character Jules Vaughn in the show
Euphoria and how what factors influenced her development, and how religion/Christian
worldview influences gender and sexuality identity.
Jules Vaughn, a 16-year-old transgender female, is the new girl to the town of East
Highland in the show of ‘Euphoria’ written by Sam Levinson. At the beginning of season 1 you
learn that Jules was born a male but at the age of 13 transitioned to a female with the support of
her dad. Jules at first had no friends and was targeted at “McKay’s” party where a boy named
Nate got in her face and made fun of her to the point where she had to threaten him. At this party
when she was leaving is where she met Rue, a drug addicted 16-year-old, and they became best
friends and eventually date. In the first season Jules struggles with online dating, being
transgender, figuring out her sexuality and making friends. According to Santrock, “It is
commonly believed that most gays and lesbians quietly struggle with same-sex attractions in
childhood, do not engage in heterosexual dating, and gradually recognize that they are gay or
