Philippine E-Journals

My Son is also My Daughter: Exploring the Deepest Sentiments, Feelings and Emotions of Parents

Manilyn Buenaflor | Librado Lopez

Discipline: others in psychology

 

Abstract:

This study explored the phenomenon of the parents having gay sons. Specifically, it examined their lived experiences of having a gay son, their feelings and reactions upon knowing the sexual identity of their sons, and the insights that the conversational partners can share by parents with gay sons. This qualitative study used snowball sampling and was conducted using face-to-face interview with 20 parents. After careful data analysis using Colaizzi’s method, findings reveal five major themes: living the life, lighter feelings, indifferent treatment, building bonds and heart’s desire along with 20 core ideas and 270 significant statements. The CPs' experience having homosexual sons provided some implications: it is the primary responsibility of the conversational partners to serve as guide to their gay sons who encounter various experiences; ordinances and policies should be strictly implemented in school and in the society to protect gays from being bullied, and parents especially fathers should show acceptance to the sexuality of their children and recognize their role for the holistic development of their gay sons.