Publication
Title
Role ambiguity and role conflict among partners of trans people
Author
Abstract
Experiences of family members are often overlooked in social research on gender transitions. The current article aims to address this gap by considering the experiences of partners during a gender transition, approaching this topic through role theory and the concepts of role ambiguity and role conflict. Seventeen partners and former partners were interviewed. First, we distinguished three different roles of partners during the transition: the co-parental role, the ally role and the romantic partner role. We found that ambiguity was most apparent for the romantic partner role. Second, we observed that the expectations which accompany these different roles often contradict each other during gender transition. This leads to role conflict. We discuss how this role conflict may influence the acceptance and adaptation process of the partner and steer certain relationship outcomes. In the discussion, we construct three types of adaptation processes of partners.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Journal of family issues. - Beverly Hills, Calif.
Publication
Beverly Hills, Calif. : 2019
ISSN
0192-513X
DOI
10.1177/0192513X18800362
Volume/pages
40 :1 (2019) , p. 85-110
ISI
000452273500004
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 24.10.2018
Last edited 09.10.2023
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