Actitudes y respuestas emocionales de los padres frente a la identidad de género diversa de sus Hijxs: Recursos y barreras en su abordaje

Abstract

Introduction

Raising a child with a diverse gender identity implies a challenge for their parents. This research seeks to document beliefs, emotions and attitudes of parentś of children with a diverse gender identity, who have received psychological and/or endocrinological care at the Fundación Valle de Lili clinic, located in the city of Cali, Colombia, with the intention to develop strategies that could be implemented in the therapeutic field.

Methods

Based on semi-structured interviews and a phenomenological analysis of them, the authors identify variables that affect the ways in which parents approach the diverse identity of their children at three levels: microsystemic, mesosystemic, and macrosystemic. Likewise, the text describes the emotional response that is typically given by the parents when facing the diverse identity of their child, as well as the resources and obstacles experienced.

Results

The results show the attitudes described by the parents in this research and their variation according to individual experiences. Emotional responses ranged from sadness, anger, and guilt to emotions of gratification and improved emotional bonding with their child. Regarding behaviours, a shift toward more openness in interacting with transgender and gender diverse people was evident in participants’ descriptions.

Conclusions

The emotional responses of parents are influenced by contextual variables, from which it seeks to provide clinical guidelines to accompany the process of children with diverse identities and their families, in order to prevent or reduce individual and family suffering. discrimination and gender-based violence.