“My genitals have nothing to do with my parenting”: A qualitative study of trans adoption
Date
2022-08
Authors
Bartel, Maya
Major Professor
Advisor
Jordan, Tera R.
Lippard, Christine
Melby, Janet
Popillion, Amy
Lee, Daeyong
Committee Member
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Altmetrics
Research Projects
Journal Issue
Series
Department
Human Development and Family Studies
Abstract
Researchers have reported the challenges trans parents face in pursuing foster and adoptive parenthood. These deficit-based approaches limit our understanding of trans families. Trans individuals repeatedly report interest in parenting and in adoptive parenthood specifically. A strengths-based approach to understanding motivations and decisions to parenthood and adoption is necessary to support trans adoptive families more fully. Another gap in the scholarly literature on trans adoption concerns sampling. Research on LGBTQ+ adoption largely focuses on lesbian and gay adopters, leaving little to no mention of the experiences of trans adopters. It is important to understand trans individuals in navigating adoption environments. Thus, the aim of this study is to explore the decisions, motivations, and adoption experiences of trans foster and adoptive parents and their partners.
In the current study, I utilized hermeneutic phenomenology and conducted paired interviews to examine trans parenting couples’ experiences in navigating foster care and adoption. Four major themes related to how trans adoption are presented: parenting decisions, discrimination, support and resources, and changing the system. Implications for practice, policy, theory, and research are discussed.