What is Sexual Identity?
Sexual identity refers to an individual's sense of their own gender, romantic orientation, and sexual attraction. It is the way they define themselves in relation to others and how they experience their own body. It encompasses personal feelings, thoughts, behaviors, and beliefs related to one's gender and sexuality. This can be influenced by various factors such as culture, environment, biology, and upbringing. There are several terms used to describe sexual identity, including cisgender, transgender, lesbian, gay, bisexual, straight, queer, pansexual, asexual, nonbinary, etc.
Cisgender
Cisgender individuals identify with the sex assigned at birth, which means they feel comfortable with their physical appearance, behavior, and social role according to society's expectations. They do not question their gender or desire changes in it.
Transgender
Transgender people have a different gender identity from what was assigned at birth. They may present themselves as the opposite sex through clothing, makeup, hairstyle, voice, or other means. Some choose to undergo hormonal therapy or surgery to align their bodies with their gender identity.
Gender Dysphoria
Gender dysphoria occurs when there is a conflict between a person's gender identity and the physical characteristics associated with their biological sex. People who experience this discomfort may suffer distress, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and other mental health issues.
Family-Enforced Secrecy
Family secrets refer to information that families keep hidden from outsiders for fear of negative consequences or embarrassment. It may involve a family member's addiction, abuse, illness, criminal activity, trauma, infidelity, or any other issue that could harm the reputation of the family. Family secrets can affect relationships, trust, communication, and emotional well-being.
When it comes to sexual identity, some families impose secrecy on members who are transgender, bisexual, lesbian, gay, or nonbinary, expecting them to hide their true selves from others. This can lead to feelings of shame, guilt, and isolation, which impact mental health and social interactions.
Long-Term Psychological Effects
The effects of family secrecy on sexual identity can be long-lasting and severe.
Someone who was raised in a religious family where homosexuality is taboo may struggle with their sexual orientation even after leaving home. They may have difficulty forming intimate relationships or expressing themselves authentically.
Lack of support from loved ones can also make individuals feel alone, leading to loneliness, depression, and anxiety. It can cause people to doubt their own identity and try to change it to meet society's expectations, which can create internal conflict and confusion.
Family secrecy around sexual identity can prevent people from fully exploring and understanding their sexuality, resulting in low self-esteem, poor body image, and difficulty establishing intimacy.
Family-enforced secrecy has significant psychological effects on sexual identity and self-concept. It can cause distress, shame, guilt, and internalized stigma that last for years. Parents must provide unconditional love and support to children who identify as LGBTQIA+ so they can grow up confidently and happily.
What are the long-term psychological effects of family-enforced secrecy on sexual identity and self-concept?
Research shows that there is a strong relationship between family-imposed secrecy about one's sexual orientation and long-term psychological consequences for an individual's mental health. These include feelings of isolation and loneliness, low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation (Bergfeld & Sasaki, 2014).