Families in Transition: The Lived Experience of Parenting a Transgender Child

Abstract

Research exploring the parents’ experience of their child undergoing gender transition is almost nonexistent. However, as the number of individuals who identify as transgender increases, gender identity will continue to evolve; therefore, supporting families of these individuals is paramount. Parents of transgender children were interviewed and yielded five themes: (a) It Rocks Your World; (b) Dancing Around in a Way that Doesn’t Distance; (c) Your Child Is Still Your Child; (d) Worrying About the Future; and (e) Transformational: Finally an Answer. These themes begin to identify the complex nature and struggles parents face as they encounter the emotional and physical aspects of their child’s gender transition. The findings raise awareness of the parents’ perspective, provide a better understanding of the complex family issues that occur, and provide nursing suggestions on how to continue to work to facilitate “healthy families” and promote cultural sensitivity.