Parents of Trans Children and Youth, Relationship Issues

Parents of trans children and youth play a pivotal role in their children’s well-being. The nature of these parent–child relationships is especially critical for trans children and youth who are more likely to experience hardships both at school and at home due to living in a cisnormative culture. Trans youth and children who experience rejection from their families, especially from parents, are more likely to internalize those messages and have lower self-esteem. Conversely, those who feel loved and affirmed by their families are more likely to feel as though they have value and self-worth.

Many trans children and youth voice a desire to communicate more openly with their parents and [Page 605]wish for closer and more supportive relationships with them. However, even children who believe their ...