The US, UK, and Canada are among the countries where Nigerian parents who have moved overseas encounter a variety of difficulties, including navigating the rapidly changing landscape of transgender rights and cultural perceptions on gender identity. Parents who are finding it difficult to reconcile the progressive legal and social realities in their new nations with the traditional values of Nigeria are worried. A Nigerian father begged a UK physician not to perform transgender surgery on his daughter because he was worried about the damage it would do to her mental health.
Due to these obstacles, many Nigerian parents have expressed concerns that their children may identify as trans and that they want to shield them from what they perceive to be a threat to their cultural values. An explanation of transgender identity and a review of national Legal Systems are provided, with a focus on the value of Mental Health services for trans people. Additionally, strategies for interaction and the significance of communication were presented to help Nigerian parents living abroad balance their cultural values with the realities of their new nations.
1.6 million transgender adults in the United States.
Including the authentic perspectives of transgender people offers important context for understanding the lived realities that lie behind the numbers. For instance, a 2022 interview with Black transgender activist and model Munroe Bergdorf in the UK sheds light on the difficulties she encountered in balancing her identity with conventional norms. Bergdorf talks about the value of family and community support and how hard it may be when they are not there. Alok Vaid-Menon, a transgender advocate, has also given tales of negotiating identity in a society that frequently rejects non-binary and transgender individuals. He emphasizes the value of family members showing compassion and understanding in these situations.
There are an estimated 1.6 million transgender adults in the United States, according to a 2022 research published by the Williams Institute. According to statistics from the Trevor Project’s 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health, transgender youth have a markedly increased risk of mental health issues in diaspora communities. As evidence of the urgent need for supportive environments, the poll revealed that 45% of transgender youth had seriously considered suicide in the previous year.
It is difficult for immigrants to balance their traditional beliefs.
According to data from Stonewall’s 2023 study, 46% of transgender persons in the UK do not permanently live in their preferred gender role because they are afraid of prejudice. Expert commentary offers credible viewpoints on the difficulties encountered by transgender people. Clinical psychologist Dr. Laura Edwards-Leeper, who specializes in transgender youth, highlights the significance of supportive family contexts in reducing the risk factors associated with mental health. She says that family members’ rejection or lack of acceptance of transgender youth might make them feel even more alone and depressed.
Dr. Eric Anderson, a sociologist at the University of Winchester, talks about how cultural perceptions of gender can affect whether transgender identities are accepted. He points out that immigrant communities frequently find it difficult to balance their traditional beliefs with the more progressive norms of their new countries. It is a difficult effort to strike a balance between the need to protect and support transgender people and cultural sensitivity. Experts advise Nigerian parents to learn about the psychological and emotional struggles that transgender people endure while still adhering to their traditional norms.
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Sociologist Dr. Nneka Orji contends that parents can reach a compromise by reading up on gender identity issues, getting counselling, and having honest conversations with their kids. Families facing these obstacles can get support from PFLAG and The Trevor Project, among other resources. These resources emphasize the importance of empathy and understanding in providing support for transgender individuals without fully sacrificing cultural beliefs. With this strategy, parents may safeguard their kids’ wellbeing while yet staying connected to their cultural heritage.