The experiences of parenthood amongst transgender parents in Australia

Abstract

In Australia, parenthood within a heterocisnormative family structure is still privileged whereas those who parent outside of this hegemony are marginalised. Parenthood is a powerful symbol and ‘performer’ of gendered convention, and failure to conform can serve as a transgressive act. Trans parents are routinely subjected to significant institutional discrimination and marginalisation, particularly in the healthcare domain, which has a material impact on their lives and the lives of their family. There is a need for further research to help us understand the lived experiences of trans parents and how they can be supported. Moreover, there is a need to utilise inclusive methodological approaches to centre transgender experiences such as queer theory and intersectional frameworks. In this thesis, I explore the reflective assessments trans parents make about their experiences of parenthood. In order to do this, I situate my thesis in a social constructionist epistemology, and pose two research questions: “What are trans parents’ subjective experiences of parenthood?” and “What implications does heterocisnormativity have on their experiences of parenthood?”. To address these questions, I use both queer theory and intersectional frameworks. Data collection for this study took place in 2015 and 2016. Sixtysix Australian trans parents aged between 24 and 67 years, took part in an online survey and 38 participants consented to a further one-on-one interview. Data was analysed using thematic analysis. The analysis is presented in four journal articles. The conclusion, bringing together findings from these four articles, contends that, in spite of significant heterocisnormative marginalisation and discrimination, parenthood is a powerful source of validation and motivation for trans parents. Positive relationships with children allow trans parents to be positioned as both protector and protected. Additionally, transgender parents navigate parenthood under normative hegemonies, making them significantly vulnerable to transphobia and healthcare discrimination. This has material consequences for not only their physical and mental health, but also their families. These findings indicate that healthcare providers, and institutions more broadly, must be encouraged to challenge and deconstruct their heterocisnormative assumptions. With little social and institutional support, trans parents persevere and thrive in parenthood.