Introduction:

in recent years, there have been numerous scientific publications on gender diversity in children and adolescents along with establishment of medical and psychological services to serve this population. This increased visibility is the result of a more tolerant social and cultural context; however, there are still barriers and prejudices that these children and their families have to face in the process of self-acceptance and in their relationship with the different social settings of their lives.

Sample and methods:

qualitative study through individual in-depth interviews with 6 parents of trans children of different ages in the Community of Madrid.

Results:

we present the results organised in 3 main categories: the pathway of parents (the phases of understanding and accepting gender diversity in their children); the pathway of children (social transition and its emotional and psychological impact); the pathway of society (the relationships and dynamics between these families and their social environment). The latter category includes a specific section about the relationship with the health care system.

Conclusions:

the narratives collected in the interviews evinced the presence of a virtuous circle that arose from the recognition of the gender diversity in these children and involving the love of parents and inclusion in society. This allows for the change in perspective required to become aware that the only disease that we need to fight is transphobia.

        · resumen en Español     · texto en Español     · Español ( pdf )