Mother’s Experiences of their Transgender Children’s Coming Out

This study explored experiences of mothers whose children came out as transgender. Seven mothers participated in this study, sharing their narratives through a method called narrative inquiry developed by Clandininin and Connelly(2000). The narrative inquiry focused on understanding their experiences across three dimension: temporality, interrelationship, and place. To collect data, individual in-depth interviews were conducted with mothers of transgender children from the moment their children came out.BR As a result, mothers reported feelings of shock, surprise, self-blame, loss, and confusion. Over time, however, a gradual shift towards ambivalent experience emerged. Despite ongoing concerns about social stigma surrounding transgender people and their children's futures, these mothers demonstrated a strong desire for acceptance. On the other hand, in an effort to accept their children as they are, they support their gender transformation, rebuild relationships with their children, and make connection with the community of LGBTQ parents.BR This study is significant in that it examines experiences of mothers with transgender children in South Korea, where research on gender identity is insufficient. In the future, empirical research should be conducted on both transgender individual and their parents to foster a more infromed and productive discourse on gender identity within South Korean society.