Experiences of parents of trans young people: A qualitative literature review

Hubbard, Rachel

Abstract

Despite the perception that the experiences of parents of trans children and young people is under-researched there is a growing body of evidence gathered using qualitative methodologies from the US, Canada, the UK, Italy, Australia and Ireland, particularly between 2014 and 2022, published across trans health, social work, education, public and environmental health, family and gender studies journals.

Regardless of different national legal and cultural contexts, the experiences of these parents can be summarised under four common themes:
a) identity including the child’s coming out and the parent’s growing understanding of their identity in the context of their experiences
b) interactions with individuals (including friends and wider family) and institutions (such as school, health, social work, family court and media, including social media)
c) support seeking whether formal therapeutic and medical (e.g. mental health or transition related), especially in relation to experiences of the UK’s Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) service or informal via LGBTQ+ community resources or other parents
d) parental focus and perspectives including theorising on models of parental response (such as the validity of grief as a model), the impact of intersectional identities, such as religiosity, on parental response and the roles parents take on as a result of this experience, including education and advocacy

This literature search (n = 32) identified a range of qualitative methods, such as semi-structured and narrative interviews and social action methods to engage the participants more closely in the research design as well as systematic reviews that broadly supported these findings. Research was mainly conducted by clinicians and academics. However, many of these also identified themselves as parents of trans young people or part of the LGBTQ+ community, representing a cohort of academic activists interested in widening this knowledge base from insider perspectives.

The challenges of finding informed and affirmative support were often highlighted, including how parents often seek LGBTQ+ specific organisations or the informal support of other parents, especially in the context of increasingly trans hostile public discourse and discrimination.

Citation

Hubbard, R. (2023, July). Experiences of parents of trans young people: A qualitative literature review. Paper presented at Sexualities and Social Work International Conference 2023, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (unpublished)
• Conference Name: Sexualities and Social Work International Conference 2023
• Conference Location: University of Strathclyde, Glasgow
• Start Date: Jul 18, 2023
• End Date: Jul 19, 2023
• Deposit Date: Jul 23, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 25, 2023
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10974758