Extending support through generations: exploring the support needs of parents of LGBTQ+ youth
Graduation Date
2016
Document Type
Project
Program
Other
Program
Project (M.S.W.)--Humboldt State University, Social Work, 2016
Committee Chair Name
Jennifer Maguire
Committee Chair Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Keywords
Peer-to-Peer, Bisexual, Transgender, Heterosexual, Family, LGBTQ+, Humboldt State University -- Projects -- Social Work, Gay, Lesbian, Parents, Parent program, Youth, Supports
Abstract
There are limited supportive resources available for parents of individuals identified as LGBTQ+ in the East San Francisco Bay Area. Without such resources, often parents can be unaware of how their behaviors can impact their child's well-being. The purpose of this project is to learn about the experiences of parents of individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ to determine what types of resources are needed to offer support to parents. This project included interviews with seven parents of individuals who identified as LGBTQ+ who were recruited from a local LGBTQ+ community center. The purpose of interviewing the parents was to learn about what their experiences have been like with their children and what types of supports have been or would be beneficial for their situations. It was found that participants fell into two categories: a) those that did not experience feelings of grief or mourning; and, b) those that did. The participants in the first category expressed the need for resources that offer education, access to an expert, and one-on-one support. The participants in the second group expressed a need for a safe space to discuss their grief and mourning without the risk of being judged by parents who were more easily able to accept their child's LGBTQ+ identity. Participant responses aligned with the need for a parent peer program, which would allow for parents to have on-on-one support from a trained peer mentor.
Recommended Citation
Case, Kellie, "Extending support through generations: exploring the support needs of parents of LGBTQ+ youth" (2016). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 1672.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/1672
https://scholarworks.calstate.edu/concern/theses/ws859j11c