Transgender Youth: Perceptions, Media Influences and Social Challenges

Description

According to the Youth Suicide Prevention Program, “more than 50% of transgender youth will have had at least one suicide attempt by their 20th birthday.” This data demonstrates a dire need for caregivers, educators and providers to have a better understanding of youths experiencing gender dysphoria (and gender non-conforming youth, who are often mistaken for transgender youth). Presently, our binary society makes the lives of transgender youth more challenging than they need be. Childhood and adolescence mark the start of our gender identity development, our sexual orientation development, and our racial identity development. Those intersections create enough interpersonal and intrapersonal challenges without the added stress of rejection for belonging to a minority group in one or more of those three developmental areas. These transgender youth are growing into transgender adults who own businesses, become politicians, join the military, and become parents. They are a natural and needed part of our society. This book was created to give a voice to these individuals as they are being silenced by some of their caregivers, school officials, religious leaders, and politicians. Transgender Youth: Perceptions, Media Influences and Social Challenges is about the experience of child development, adolescent development and gender identity development as well as society’s positive and unnecessary negative responses. Transgender youth have some experiences that their 1950s and 1960s counterparts did not encounter or have access to – hormone blockers, celebrity role models, and social media. This book brings readers closer to empathy for transgender youth and transgender young adults with the ultimate goal of improving the quality of life for these exceptional children and adolescents. The book introduces the topic of gender dysphoria and explains various terms important to this conversation regarding gender identity. It describes the challenges transgender adolescents experience to include barriers and obstacles not faced by their cisgender counterparts. Some parents and their transgender Christian children discuss gender dysphoria, gender identity development, their families’ response to their gender expression, and their experiences within their faith communities. We review the literature on transgender youth and the use of sexual activity as commerce. The audience gets to read narratives of individuals who identify as transgender or transsexual. There are discussions about transgender youth within the foster care system, transgender youth athletes, and the issues they face in school-based and intramural sports programs. Readers are offered suggestions to implement and support transgender youth in their schools and communities. Contents......Page 7 Preface......Page 9 Abstract......Page 11 References......Page 14 Abstract......Page 15 Introduction......Page 16 The Multiple and Layered Contexts of Being Transgender......Page 21 Living Genders......Page 25 Current Psychiatric and Medical Discourses Regarding Gender Variance......Page 29 Conclusion......Page 36 References......Page 37 Appendix A: Transgender Resources......Page 48 Abstract......Page 51 Gender Identity and Expression......Page 52 Stigma and Discrimination......Page 53 Health and Behavioral Healthcare Settings......Page 54 Stigma in Medical and Behavioral Healthcare Settings......Page 57 Advocacy and Competency......Page 58 Conclusion......Page 61 References......Page 62 Abstract......Page 65 Introduction......Page 66 Participants......Page 67 Questionnaire and Interview Domains......Page 68 A Narrative Understanding of Gender Identity Development......Page 69 Subsequent Chapter on Conflict......Page 70 A Chapter on Religious Faith......Page 71 Learning to Cope......Page 72 Advice to Christian Parents......Page 73 Advice to Churches and Youth Ministers......Page 74 Discussion......Page 76 Conclusion......Page 77 References......Page 78 Abstract......Page 81 Introduction......Page 82 Methods......Page 84 Review of Methods......Page 86 Review of Findings......Page 90 Implications......Page 95 Conclusion......Page 104 References......Page 107 Abstract......Page 111 Introduction......Page 112 Gender Identity Development......Page 115 Participants......Page 118 Procedure......Page 119 Analytical Strategy......Page 120 Sexual Communication with Family......Page 121 Quantitative Analyses......Page 122 Gendered Understandings of Self......Page 124 The Earth Rumbles: Earlier Adjustments to Transitioning......Page 127 Connections with Others: “I Had So Much Social Support. And then. Well. And Then I Became Me”......Page 130 Conclusion......Page 133 References......Page 135 Abstract......Page 143 Pathways into Care......Page 144 Lack of Affirmation and Respect for One’s Gender Identity......Page 146 Lack of Acceptance......Page 148 Establishing Permanency......Page 149 Establish Affirming Placements......Page 151 Ensure Safety and Stability......Page 152 References......Page 153 Abstract......Page 157 Section I: Discrimination at School......Page 158 Physical Education and Sex Education......Page 160 The Benefits......Page 161 Background......Page 163 Assumptions About Transgender Athletes......Page 164 Section III: The Experiences of Transgender Youth Athletes......Page 166 Fear......Page 167 Rejection......Page 168 Fight......Page 169 Inclusion......Page 170 Delay and Loss......Page 171 References......Page 173 Abstract......Page 179 Section I: Legal Considerations......Page 180 Federal Protection......Page 181 State Protection and Discrimination......Page 182 Comprehensive Model Policies......Page 184 Transgender Law and Policy Institute (TLPI)......Page 185 Think Tank Report......Page 186 Model District Policy......Page 190 Regional Models......Page 191 Massachusetts......Page 193 New York......Page 194 Section III: Current Policies......Page 195 School District Polices......Page 196 State Interscholastic Athletic Associations......Page 197 Analysis of the Range of Inclusion......Page 199 Athletic Organizations......Page 201 Recommendations......Page 202 References......Page 203 Abstract......Page 207 Introduction......Page 208 Procedure......Page 209 General Religious Faith......Page 210 Religious Beliefs on Transgender Issues......Page 212 Relationship with Their Child......Page 214 Making Meaning of the Child’s Journey......Page 215 Discussion......Page 219 Conclusion......Page 220 References......Page 221 Abstract......Page 223 Introduction......Page 224 What Can a Family Do?......Page 226 The Battle for the Bathroom......Page 228 What Can Health Professionals Do?......Page 229 What Can Youth Do?......Page 230 What Can an Ally/Supporter Do?......Page 231 What Does a ‘Safe Space’ Look Like?......Page 232 How Can Communities Foster Safe Spaces?......Page 234 References......Page 235 About the Authors......Page 237 Index......Page 243 Untitled......Page 5 Blank Page......Page 2