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Transsexual parenthood and new role assumptions
Elena Faccio1, Elena Bordin, Sabrina Cipolletta
1a Department of Philosophy, Sociology, Education and Applied Psychology , University of Padua , Padua , Italy.
Culture, Health & Sexuality
|July 5, 2013
Summary
Transsexual parents view themselves as competent and affectionate, challenging societal stereotypes. Their parental role emphasizes child-focused care, differing from conventional expectations and requiring significant personal adjustment.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Gender Studies
Background:
- Societal perceptions of transsexuality often overlook or misrepresent the parental capabilities of transgender individuals.
- Understanding the lived experiences of transsexual parents is crucial for challenging stereotypes and informing inclusive policies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the self-representation of the parental role among male-to-female transsexuals.
- To compare transsexuals' parental self-perceptions with societal assumptions and the parental roles of cisgender men.
- To investigate the influence of social representations on the parental self-concept of transsexual individuals.
Main Methods:
- Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 male-to-female transsexuals and 14 cisgender men (half parents, half non-parents).
- Thematic and lexical analyses were performed on interview data using Taltac2 software.
- Four thematic areas were explored: self-representation, description of transsexual parents, common representations, and gendered parental stereotypes.
Main Results:
- Transsexual parents demonstrated a strong understanding of conventional parental prototypes, perceiving themselves as capable and responsible.
- Their parental role construction prioritized affection for the child over traditional spousal roles.
- Cisgender men's descriptions of transsexual parental roles were less nuanced and aligned with personal experiences, contrasting with the self-perceptions of transsexual parents.
Conclusions:
- Social representations significantly impact how transsexual individuals form their parental self-concept.
- Transsexual parenthood involves a substantial re-adjustment process due to the divergence from conventional parental roles.
- Findings highlight the need to challenge stereotypes and recognize the diverse realities of transsexual parenting.
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