Parental Acceptance of Transgender and Gender Non-conforming Children
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Authors
Alie, Laura M.
Issue Date
2012
Type
Dissertation
Language
en
Keywords
“transgender" , "parental acceptance", "children"
Alternative Title
Abstract
This study examined factors that impact parental acceptance of transgender and gender nonconforming children . The following were hypothesized to correlate with higher levels of parental acceptance of transgender and GNC children: 1. ) Demographic variables: a higher level of education, a liberal political orientation, an urban place of residence, and a moderate or low level of religiosity; 2.) Therapeutic factors: attendance of a support group for parents of transgender/GNC children, identifying the support group as helpful, and attending personal therapy; 3.) Behaviors, beliefs and attitudes : a "match" between the gender term used by the child and the term used by the parent, a belief in a biological cause of a transgender/GNC identity, belief in a biological cause of an LGB identity, a self reported high level of knowledge of transgender/GNC issues and LGB issues, a high level of contact with transgender/GNC and LGB people, positive feelings toward transgender/GNC and LGB people; 4.) A longer time since the child's disclosure to the parent of a transgender/GNC identity; and 5.) Cross-generational acceptance. Political Orientation was the only demographic factor that was significant with a more liberal orientation correlating with higher levels of acceptance. Parents who attended a support group and those who found that group to be helpful both had scores that were associated with more acceptance. The following variables were also associated with higher levels of acceptance: a "match" in the gender term used by the parent and child, higher levels of self-reported knowledge of transgender/GNC issues, higher levels of contact with transgender people, and more positive feelings toward LGB people. Cross-generational acceptance was found to be a significant result as well. Finally, post hoc analyses showed female parents had scores that were associated with higher acceptance, and parents oftransgender children had scores that were associated with higher levels of acceptance while parents of GNC children did not.