AN EXPLORATORY STUDY ON THE PARENTS’ EXPERIENCES ON FINDING OUT THEIR CHILD’S LGBTQ IDENTITIES

Abstract

Disclosure of one’s sexual identity to significant people, including parents, can be important for LGBTQ individuals as the support and acceptance from close social networks allow LGBTQ people to live authentically and experience greater self-esteem. Despite the importance of parental support, few have examined the experiences of parents and no studies have been conducted in the cultural context of Singapore. Understanding the parents’ experience is crucial to allow us to better comprehend the reactions, acceptance and non-acceptance of parents. Thus, through the application of the Family Emergence Model (FEM) and Ecological Theory, this study sought to provide insights on the experiences of parents in the coming out of their LGBTQ children. This exploratory qualitative study examined the retrospective narratives of parents about their experiences following the knowledge of their child’s sexual identities. Semi-structured interviews with five mothers of gay and lesbian children explored the mothers’ emotions, thoughts and struggles towards their child’s sexual orientation, and examined factors that influence their experiences. Findings from this study largely aligned with existing research. Crucially, the study extends the FEM by highlighting on the importance of examining parents’ experiences prior to actual disclosures and beyond said acceptance. The study also captured key personal and environmental factors influencing the experiences of participants. These findings may bear important implications to the social work practice as they shed light on the support that may be needed by this group of parents with LGBTQ children.