Parental Rejection and Acceptance
The development of an individual's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, pansexual, nonbinary, agender, or genderfluid (LGBTQ) identity is affected by numerous factors. One major factor that has received considerable attention from researchers is parental rejection or acceptance during adolescence. This essay will explore how parental attitudes towards their child's LGBTQ identity can impact their trajectory of identity development.
Parental Rejection
Parents who reject their child's LGBTQ identity often employ various tactics to change or suppress their child's gender expression or sexual orientation. They may do so through verbal or physical abuse, isolation, shaming, coercion, denial, and other forms of manipulation.
Parents might threaten to disown their child if they come out as homosexual or forbid them from seeing friends who are perceived as "bad influences". According to research, such actions lead to increased internalized homophobia, depression, and suicidal ideation among LGBTQ youth.
Parental rejection increases the likelihood of substance abuse, risky behaviors, and mental health issues in later life for these individuals.
Parental Acceptance
Parents who accept their child's LGBTQ identity provide emotional support and guidance to help them navigate the challenges they face. By showing love and compassion, they create a safe space for their children to express themselves freely and discover who they truly are. Studies suggest that parental acceptance reduces feelings of shame and promotes self-acceptance among LGBTQ individuals. Moreover, it helps prevent negative outcomes like substance abuse, mental health problems, and high-risk behaviors.
Parental rejection or acceptance during adolescence plays a crucial role in the trajectory of LGBTQ identity development. While rejecting parents increase the chances of negative consequences, accepting parents foster positive outcomes by providing emotional support and encouragement. Thus, understanding how parental attitudes affect identity development is critical for creating healthy family environments and supporting LGBTQ youth.