User:Joyrucker5/sandbox

The transgender symbol

Coming Out

In many parts of the world, being transgender is not widely accepted by the public and as for transgender youth, they not only face discrimination but also can encounter family exclusion . Transgender youth may feel that they need to remain in "the closet" until they feel that it is safe and appropriate to come out and reveal their gender identity to their parents, family members, and friends. To "come out", according to Merriam Webster means to openly declare something about oneself previously kept hidden or to openly declare one's homosexuality. For the LGBT community, to "come out" means to acknowledge ones sexual identity or gender identity and make it known to the public of their identity.

Family Acceptance

Family acceptance holds a significant impact on the lives of transgender youth. It may be impossible to predict a parent's reaction to the news of their childs decision to change his or her gender identity and the process can be fraught for many transgender youths. In some cases, parents will react negatively to such news and reject the childs decision by disowning the child or taking actions such as kicking the youth out of the home. Current research suggests that transgender youth who have been entered into the juvenile justice system are more likely to have experienced family rejection, abuse, and or abandonment compared to those youth who are not transgender as a result of “coming out” at a young age. Because transgender youth depend on their parents for support and acceptance, family exclusion can result in them becoming emotionally vulnerable and regretting their decision to come out. On the other hand, some parents are very supportive and provide their children with aid to guide them through transitioning. Additionally, reactions of parents to transgender children can change over time. For example, parents who initially reacted with negativity and hostility may eventually come around to support their transgender children.

Health Risks

Family acceptance among transgender youth predicts an increase in greater self-esteem, social support, and general health status; it also protects against depression, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation and behaviors. As recent as 2015, research has shown that in carefully selected patients, people who transition young suffer few ill effects, and maintain a higher level of functioning than before transitioning. Additionally, results of treatment such as counseling are considered better when it is offered at an earlier age.

Family behaviors can increase or decrease health risks of transgender youth. Behaviors such as physically or orally abusing the youth, pressuring the youth to become more masculine or feminine, excluding the youth from family events, etc. will lead to higher health risks such as depression and suicide. On the positive end, behaviors such as supporting the youths gender identity by talking about it and working to support their choice even though the parent might be uncomfortable makes a significant impact on boosting the youths confidence, which works to combat health risks associated with rejection.