Children and Young People Living Beyond Gender Norms
Knowledge about gender variation and support from the surrounding environment to live openly increases young people’s well being and health when they have gender identities that challenge norms. This is shown in a new dissertation from Linnaeus University, based on an international literature review and interviews with Swedish children and adolescents aged 4–16 and their parents.
“Children who received support early on to live as the gender they felt themselves to be were just as well off as other children. However, traditional gender norms affected even the youngest children. They triggered negative emotions and could create a sense of being ‘wrong’ in the eyes of others,” says Kristiina Tyni, researcher at the Department of Psychology.
Differing from majority norms increases the risk of vulnerability, primarily in the form of bullying, exclusion, and being overlooked.
To cope with negative treatment, the children and adolescents developed strategies, but they also engaged in invisible emotional work by taking responsibility for not worrying their loved ones and for not creating or escalating conflicts at school—often at the expense of their own needs. This work could be very draining.
“A knowledgeable and supportive environment reduced the children’s and adolescents’ gender‑related stress, increased their well‑being, and strengthened their sense of safety and inclusion. Safe and inclusive environments had a calming and empowering effect on their well‑being and self‑esteem.”
How parents’ processes of understanding and affirming their children’s gender‑nonconforming identities unfolded was influenced by their previous beliefs and knowledge. Most became more flexible in how they viewed gender and gained greater confidence in following their child’s process through increased knowledge and through the child’s response to being recognized. A small number of parents, however, continued to feel strong frustration and doubt.
“All parents were worried about their children’s future. Many also experienced insufficient and sometimes contradictory information from healthcare services, which created uncertainty about how they could best support their children.”
The dissertation is relevant for parents and relatives, professionals in schools, healthcare and social services, policymakers, and the general public.
“Increased understanding of gender variation and of how the environment affects young people’s well‑being is needed for respectful treatment and psychosocial support,” concludes Kristiina Tyni.