Family Support: The Importance of Acceptance

Why Family Support Matters: Parental love and support can literally save lives. Trans teens with supportive parents are less depressed, have fewer thoughts of self-harm, and are more confident in who they are [8][9]. A Canadian study found that kids with strong parental support were 93% less likely to try to take their own life [10].

Supported vs. Unsupported Youth: Trans children who are supported by family and allowed to live as their true selves are often as happy and emotionally healthy as any other child [11]. Their levels of depression were no different from other kids their age, and their anxiety was only slightly higher [11]. That shows it’s not being trans that causes distress—it’s being unsupported.

How to Support: Support means listening without judgment, using their chosen name and pronouns, learning more about gender, and standing by them in tough moments. Even if parents feel unsure at first, staying open and close with your child helps protect their emotional well-being.

• [8] Simons, L., Schrager, S. M., Clark, L. F., Belzer, M., & Olson, J. (2013). Parental support and mental health among transgender adolescents. The Journal of Adolescent Health, 53(6), 791–793. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2013.07.019

• [9] Klein, A., & Golub, S. A. (2016). Family rejection as a predictor of suicide attempts and substance misuse among transgender and gender nonconforming adults. LGBT Health, 3(3), 193–199. https://doi.org/10.1089/lgbt.2015.0111

• [10] Travers, R., Bauer, G. R., Pyne, J., Bradley, K., Gale, L., & Papadimitriou, M. (2012). Impacts of strong parental support for trans youth: A report prepared for Children's Aid Society of Toronto. Trans Pulse Canada. http://transpulseproject.ca

• [11] Olson, K. R., Durwood, L., DeMeules, M., & McLaughlin, K. A. (2016). Mental health of transgender children who are supported in their identities. Pediatrics, 137(3), e20153223. https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2015-3223