As most parents know, raising a child can be extremely difficult. However, raising a child who identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer/questioning (LGBTQ) can be especially trying for many different reasons. There are many things that these parents have to deal with that most parents do not. One of the most difficult times for not only the parent of an LGBTQ child, but for the kid as well, is when the child comes out. This topic is very important in the field of family studies because, when a child comes out to his or her parents, the whole family is involved. The parent’s reaction can have a significant effect on the child, whether it is a good or bad reaction. This is an important topic to study because both parents …show more content…
The parents should be cautious and think through what to say to their child before speaking, because anything said could have a big impact on the adolescent. One example of a negative reaction an adolescent might get is the parents denying their child’s sexuality. Some parents, as a way of coping, will think that it is a stage that the child will grow out of, or that the child came out just to get a reaction from the parents. In these cases, the son or daughter might feel the need to come out a second time. Denes and Afifi (2014) found that nearly a quarter of the participants in their study came out to their parents a second time. The reason most of the participants chose to come out again was because their parents denied their sexuality. Most participants who received a negative reaction to their coming out were more likely to come out again. This was because the child wanted to assert their identities, and prove that this is whom the adolescent really is. The child also wanted to share information with their parents about their LGBTQ lifestyle. The reaction given by the parents can also have an effect on how the LGBTQ child sees others in this community. D’amico, Julien, Tremblay, and Chartrand (2015) found that the more the parents had difficulties coming to terms with their child’s sexual orientation, the more the adolescent expressed negative views toward gay, lesbian, and bisexual people. The child internalized the parents prejudice against those in
Children have a lot to say and parents have to remember to stop and listen to their child and then maybe offer suggestions and ideals. Recognize how the child feels and acknowledge the flaws the child has. Nobody is perfect. Realizing the imperfections of the child helps a parent better understand the type of encouragement and guidance the child might need to become a more productive adolescent.
Younger children usually have an easier time adjusting to a gay and lesbian parented home. They haven’t learned the social biases against gays and lesbians yet.” (Nighlad).
The gay personality may be determined during a child’s early years of development or throughout the individual’s life. A lesbian or gay individual like heterosexual individuals are influenced by family, peers, and society. Family structure, social factors, and cognition and conditioning help the development of sexual identity (Kwiatkowski, 2010). The child while living with the parents, adopt many of the customs and values the parents emphasize. The parents may stress the importance of gender roles in the household which the child may learn to
Ryan, Caitlin Ryan; Russell, Stephen, T.; Huebner, David; Diaz, Rafael; Sanchez, Jorge, 2010, Family Acceptance in Adolescence and the Health of LGBT young Adults, Journal of Child and Adolescence Psychiatric Nursing, Volume 23, pp. 205-213
Same-sex parenting is taken both in positive and negative sense but even then it is regarded more as a family issue. There is a concept that where lives a same-sex couples, there must be children raised by them. Then it comes to mind that which sort of children? Such children may be divided into three groups: (Kurtz, 2004)
The other four said that children of same-sex couples face disadvantages, but these four studies are flawed because the majority of the children in the studies were born to different-sex couples who then experienced a family breakup after one parent came out as gay or lesbian. Gratify Children raised by same-sex couples do just as well as those raised by heterosexual couples, and there are several possible advantages Gay and lesbian parents may be more committed and motivated than heterosexual parents, because there are no accidental births. More likely to adopt children who linger in the foster system, such as minorities and kids who are older or have special needs. Gay and lesbian parents provide a unique environment that promotes open-mindedness, tolerance, and gender equality. “I was lucky to be adopted by two guys I can both call ‘Dad,’”
Bos, H. M., Van Balen, F., & Van den Boom, D. C. (2007). Child adjustment and parenting in planned lesbian-parent families. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 77, 38-48. doi:
Children being raised by same-sex couples is not uncommon and not different compared to different-sex couples. The only difference between childhood development with same-sex parents, as opposed to different-sex parents, is that more same-sex households have to deal with the biological parents of the child (“Same-Sex” 1). The child’s development is not altered by the gender of the parents but by society shaming their family and the biological parents metaling in the child’s
It can be very difficult for LGBTQ children to be open about their sexuality or gender orientation, especially if they do not receive support from the ones who are supposed to love them no matter what. Parents positively influence the health of their LGBTQ children by providing support an encouragement. Children should be able to talk to their parents about their issues and receive beneficial advice and support. Parents’ influence on the health of lesbian, gay, and bisexual teens: What parents and families should know explained that parents who support their LGBTQ children decrease the risk of the children becoming depressed, abusing drugs or alcohol, and committing suicide(Centers for Disease Control). Therefore, I believe that parents of LGBTQ youth can have a significant impact on the health of their children. As a country, we must encourage each other to accept people for who they are. It is imperative that this acceptance beings in the home and at
The daily life of children in homosexual families will help to further advance a better understanding of the daily family life of children with parents of the same sex. Research shows that children within these same-sex families have an “inclusive and flexible” (Bosisio 9) representation of family. Along with this representation in, “Peer Relations Among Adolescents With Female Same-Sex Parents” this “suggests that important decisions about adolescent lives (such as custody determinations) should be made not on the basis of parental sexual orientation, but by focusing instead on the qualities of adolescents’ relationships with parents” (Wainright 125). Quality of parent-child relationship is an important factor in any family. As this is seen as a similarity between the heterosexual and homosexual families, there is also that one up that a statement has to be made about child on behalf of their parent’s sexual orientation. “Children are uniquely vulnerable. A range of international human rights laws aim to protect the family rights of children and recognise that the family often makes a vital contribution to the happiness and security of children’s lives” (Hodson 519). Children in general do not have a choice to what type of family dynamic they become involved in. Whether they are born into a family, or adopted into one, it is not based on the choice of the child. Because of this, the happiness of these children comes into question. A valid family by law is not continuous throughout the world, so if the family is not recognized as real, it effects the children, and leads them to question then what they are. In opposition to Bossio’s claim that children have a inclusive and flexible description of family is the work of Jacky Coates’ and Richard Sullivna’s, “Achieving Competent Family Practice with Same-Sex Parents,” they claim that “we do not yet live in a post-heterosexist world, and
The issues that arise in lesbian- and gay-parented families are a function of two things: One is the rich variety of family constellations they comprise, and the other is the fact that they are living in a society which does not yet value rich variety. The tension created by this situation generates unique needs for the approximately 5 million gay and lesbian parents in this country whenever they present themselves to the legal system, the educational system, the mental health profession, religious organizations, the medical profession, or the insurance industry just named a few.
Research has found that for LGBTQ youth one of the most important task is coming out to others which is a process that “…often involves acknowledgement of one’s sexual orientation or gender identity…grappling with implications for family relationships, peers, relationships and dating, initial life-planning steps, and ensuring school and community-based safety, security, and well-being” (Weber & Poster, 2010, p.1). These implications highlight the importance of maintaining an open and accepting attitude towards my work with Mary to ensure that I do not pressure her to come out to her parents when she unready to do so. I must work to ensure that I empower Mary and uphold her right to self-determinate in her decision to come out to her family. Because coming out to one’s family and friends is a very complex, scary, and tedious process I need to be conscientious that there are many micro, mezzo, and macro factors that will influence when, how, and even if, Mary will come out to her family as Asexual and questioning her gender identity.
Over the years there has been many studies conducted on the well being of children with same sex parents. These studies often debate on whether same sex parents carry disadvantages to the child. Researchers who object to same sex parent often believes that children raised in these types of families suffer more emotional problems (McAllister 2016). These studies often tend to blame parents sexual orientation as the main cause of children’s emotional problems rather than looking at outside aspects that contributes to emotional imbalances. The basis of this selected literature is to give an overview of studies that demonstrated that children’s of same sex couples have good relationship with their parents at home. However, both parents and children have concerns about peer reaction in regards to potential being chosen to be bullied.
Many LGTBTQ people struggle with identity when they are young. Some tell their parents how they really feel and others choose to “stay in the closet”. Either way, the transition for most people is not easy. The panel leaders at the discussion expressed their different journeys of when they “came out” and how family and friends reacted. One of the panel leaders said that when she told her parents that she was gay, they immediately did not want to talk about it. Some other panel leaders said that their parents blew up about it at first and now they have become more accepting. Some of the common phrases that most friends and family members have told them were “it is just a phase”, “you have not been with the right man yet”, and “you are going to hell”. Most of the panel leaders said that when they “came out” it put a strain on their family relationships. The transgender woman said that she has not been to any Thanksgiving or Christmas gatherings because of the rejection she has felt from her family. She also does not really speak to her dad anymore. Another panel leader, who is a lesbian, said that her mom has met her girlfriend but is still not that accepting of her lifestyle. She said her mom’s biggest question is “Are you going to marry a woman?’. She also does not like to be around her extended family because they always “throw bible scriptures at her”. One thing I found interesting was that all the panelists had in common was that they all have had issues with their family acceptance of who they are, but they feel like they have found a home within the LGBTQ community here at Mississippi State. This is important because Mississippi State embraces diversity. Even though there is still more work to be done to increase diversity and inclusion, many people still can find an organization they can identify with and grow as a person in their own beliefs and
(2009)” Studies showed that these children and young adults are as popular as children reared by heterosexual parents; at school they have grades within average, the same level of stress as other kids. In general, they have normal relationships with peers and adults. Most of them accept their parent’s sexual orientation; some even get inspired by their parent’s courage to be different.