Domestic
Dutch Youth Show Sharply Declining Acceptance of Homosexuality
Researchers from Utrecht University and the Trimbos Institute report a significant drop in acceptance of homosexuality among Dutch youth aged 12 to 16 over the past four years. The HBSC survey reveals that positive views among girls fell from 78% in 2021 to 51% in 2025, while boys' acceptance halved from 40% to 22%. Lead researcher Gonneke Stevens attributes this trend to increased political debate on sexual diversity, misinformation campaigns against school programs like Lentekriebels, and exposure to conservative ideologies via social media influencers such as Andrew Tate. COC director Marie Ricardo condemned the shift as alarming, urging platforms to curb the "manosphere." The study also highlights worsening mental health, with rising stress from academic pressure, TikTok usage, and broader societal anxieties about climate change and economic stability.
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