Navigating Minority and Majority Cultures in Emerging Adulthood: A Pilot Study of Young Hearing Adults of Deaf Parents and Young Heterosexual Adults of Lesbian/Gay Parents
Restricted accessResearch articleFirst published online December, 2021
Navigating Minority and Majority Cultures in Emerging Adulthood: A Pilot Study of Young Hearing Adults of Deaf Parents and Young Heterosexual Adults of Lesbian/Gay Parents
This exploratory study examined the navigation of emerging adulthood for six young hearing adults raised by Deaf parents and six young heterosexual adults raised by lesbian or gay parents. Qualitative analysis of semistructured in-depth interviews conveyed the state of unfinished adulthood—emerging adulthood—a betweenness of not quite adult but not “not” an adult. This sense of betweenness was compounded by and carried into identity and culture—feeling outside but being viewed as inside majority (heteronormative, hearing-normative) culture, while feeling inside but being viewed outside of minority (lesbian/gay, Deaf) culture. The two groups articulated similar challenges, stresses, and opportunities given this betweenness as well as unique struggles and opportunities as to the sense of fit with, value of, and affirmation by minority and majority cultures and the impact on emerging adulthood tasks. Further analysis identified helpful strategies and coping mechanisms used in navigating this transition.
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