How do parents impact their child's identity formation and wellbeing when they are different from the traditional gender norms?
When it comes to understanding how a person develops their sense of self and identity, the role of family is crucial. Parents play an important part in shaping a child's worldview and helping them to understand who they are.
For children that identify as LGBT, this process can be more complicated. When parents reject or don't accept their child's identity, it can have long-term negative effects on their emotional and psychological development. This essay will explore how parental rejection can lead to increased rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide among young people who identify as LGBT.
What is gender identity?
Gender identity refers to a person's innate sense of themselves as male, female, non-binary, agender, bigender, pangender, etc., which may or may not correspond to their physical sex. It is often expressed through clothing choices, hairstyles, and mannerisms, but goes beyond these outward signs. For many people, gender identity is something that is fixed and stable throughout life, while others may experience changes over time. Gender expression is how a person presents themselves to the world, such as wearing certain clothes or using specific pronouns. Someone with a masculine presentation does not necessarily mean they are cisgender, just like someone who wears dresses doesn't automatically identify as feminine.
How do families influence gender identity formation?
Families play a major role in helping children to understand gender norms and expectations. Children are socialized from birth into what is acceptable behavior for their assigned sex and learn early on about what behaviors, attitudes, and characteristics are associated with each gender. Parents also reinforce these messages through comments, actions, and responses to their child's behavior. If a child sees that their parents value certain traits more than others, they will internalize this message and begin to see those qualities as desirable or undesirable. This can create confusion and anxiety if a child doesn't fit neatly into either box.
How does parental rejection affect LGBT youth?
When parents reject their child's identity, it sends a clear message that they don't accept them for who they are. This can lead to feelings of shame, guilt, and isolation. Many LGBT youth feel like they have nowhere to turn, which can result in increased depression and suicide rates. Research shows that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth who report high levels of family rejection during adolescence are eight times more likely to attempt suicide. Rejecting parents may even cut off communication or stop supporting their child altogether. This can leave young people feeling abandoned and alone at a time when they need support the most.
In what ways does parental acceptance or rejection influence the long-term emotional and psychological development of LGBT youth?
Children who grow up with support from their parents have a greater sense of self-worth, increased resilience, and better coping mechanisms compared to those who do not receive any support. On the other hand, children growing up in families where they are rejected because of their sexual orientation may experience negative consequences that can lead to lifelong problems such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.