Introduction
Sexual orientation and gender identity are essential and inalienable concepts in modern realities. It is critical for you as a parent to understand how these two concepts can affect your child’s life and well-being in the future. Creating an inclusive and supportive environment is an essential aspect of parenting, so parents need to be deeply aware of topics related to sexual orientation and gender identity. Explaining the similarities and differences between these concepts and providing valuable resources with relevant information can be indispensable to ensure proper parenting.
Sexual Orientation
The first important concept to consider is sexual orientation. This term refers to what gender a person may be emotionally, sexually, or romantically attracted to (Salomaa & Matsick, 2019). In this context, one can single out as an example of sexual orientation when people are attracted to the other sex (heterosexuals), the same sex (homosexuals), or both sexes (bisexuals).
Gender Identity
Gender identity is a separate concept that demonstrates a person’s sense of their body and gender (Perry et al., 2019). At the same time, the sensations of a person may coincide with the sex that they received at birth or differ from it. This distinguishes cisgenders from transgender people who change gender because they define themselves as people of a different gender from the one in which they were born.
Stress Factors Related to Gender Identity
At the same time, when a person doubts their gender identity, they may experience various stress factors. The first aspect can be considered an internal confrontation when someone tries to accept their feelings. Another stress factor can be stereotypes and stigmatization in society, which can lead to the isolation of people. In such cases, the Trevor Project (2023) can be useful when questions arise about a person’s gender identity. It provides crucial information about gender definition and related issues.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is essential to note that parents must be aware of the aspects of sexual education of children and provide them with the most comfortable conditions. Parenting is the central aspect that can affect a child’s future, so it needs to be comprehensive. Data on sexual orientation and gender identity can be helpful in the process of communicating sexuality education to a child.
References
Perry, D. G., Pauletti, R. E., & Cooper, P. J. (2019). Gender identity in childhood: A review of the literature. International Journal of Behavioral Development, 43(4), 289-304. Web.
Salomaa, A. C., & Matsick, J. L. (2019). Carving sexuality at its joints: Defining sexual orientation in research and clinical practice. Psychological assessment, 31(2), 167. Web.
Trevor Project. You deserve a welcoming, loving world. Web.