Hingley-Jones, Helen, Davidson, Sarah and Gregor, Claire (2015) Understanding the experience of parents of pre-pubescent children with gender identity issues. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 32 (3). pp. 237-246. ISSN 0738-015 Full text available

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Abstract

Whilst in recent times there has been an increasing interest in the popular media in families with gender variant children, there is still a paucity of academic research into the experience of parenting a pre-pubescent child with gender identity issues. Gender dysphoria in young children engenders emotive reactions in adults meaning that social workers need to be aware of the various discourses surrounding gender identity in order to work sensitively with families affected. This research explores highly sensitive and intimate aspects of family life, requiring parents to talk and think about difficult issues and explores how it might feel for families to parent a child with gender identity issues. The psychosocial research method of Free Association Narrative Interviews was used in order to gather the data which was then coded and analysed drawing on a constructivist version of grounded theory. Five key themes relating to the process of mourning emerged from the data: loss, uncertainty, ambivalence, being unable to think and acceptance. Recommendations for both social work and clinical practice are also offered

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	Families > Parent Child Relations/Parenthood Sex Psychology > Gender Identity
Department/People:	Adult and Forensic Services Special Units
URI:	https://repository.tavistockandportman.ac.uk/id/eprint/1109

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