Always My Child: A Parent's Guide to Understanding Your Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered or Questioning Son or Daughter (Paperback)

by Kevin Jennings (Author), Pat Shapiro (Contributor) "THE COURSE OF YOUR child's future may seem different from what you envisioned, but he is the same person he was before he told you..." (more)
Key Phrases: African American, Asian Pacific American, The New York Times (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Filled with real-life stories, scientific research and practical advice, Jennings' latest (after Becoming Invisible) stresses the importance of family acceptance for a child's self-esteem and the need to create a safe haven at home for GLBTQ teens, who often feel depressed, isolated, and harassed by peers and society at large. Drawing from countless anecdotal stories, as well as his own experiences growing up gay in a disapproving Southern Baptist atmosphere, Jennings encourages parents to understand their children's culture (by watching movies and television, visiting Web sites, and listening to music), recognize the myths of sexual orientation, identify warning signs for drug abuse, depression, eating disorders, and suicide, and learn how they may unwittingly be perpetuating gender stereotypes by facing their own prejudices. Models for coming out, and down-to-earth tips on dealing with the various stages of acceptance are thoroughly explained, and Jennings, writing with Shapiro (A Parent's Guide to Childhood and Adolescent Depression), includes an extensive resource section at the end of the book. He also provides sample conversations to help facilitate open lines of communication with children on every issue. Jennings' attention to the unique religious and cultural difficulties of "double minorities" and his accessible, topic-specific chapters make this a useful guide for both parents and teachers.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
Judy Shepardexecutive director of the Matthew Shepard FoundationEvery parent should read this book. It's a wonderful resource that I wish had been available to me. -- Review

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Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Fireside; 1st edition (December 24, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743226496
• ISBN-13: 978-0743226493
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #130,954 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #13 in	Books > Gay & Lesbian > Parenting & Families
  #82 in	Books > Teens > Health, Mind & Body > Sexuality
  #87 in	Books > Nonfiction > Social Sciences > Special Groups > Lesbian Studies

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent guide for EVERY parent, September 1, 2004

By	David N. Parker "pflagtnet" (Colfax, NC USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Kevin Jennings, Executive Director of GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network) has co-authored the definitive book on guiding, understanding, and - hopefully - accepting in love your GLBTQ child. It is primarily targeted toward parents struggling to help and deal with their questioning or coming out teenage child.
This book is not specifically about dealing with transgender children, although there are about 30 pages devoted to dealing with issues and problems of Trans teens. It also talks to people of color and includes young peoples' input to parents. Cultural messages of gender and sexuality are discussed and techniques of dealing with these messages are offered for consideration.
Many of the popular myths about homosexuality and transgenderism are analyzed, with facts presented to aid in accepting and understanding. Suggestions are provided for dealing with friends, your teen's friends, neighbors, and coworkers. Signs of trouble are discussed, along with suggestions for helping your teen deal with them.
While the advice is directed toward sexual and gender diversity, the advice applies to dealing with any youth. The principles of dealing with children apply globally.
So what is the secret? The title says it best - "Always My Child." Your child's needs come first, no matter what. Love your child; don't pressure them, but encourage them to discus their feelings, fears, and problems.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Always My Child: A Great Resource, March 31, 2003

By A Customer

Always My Child is an incredible book and one that any parent should read not just parents of GLBTQ children. Kevin Jennings provides practical advice to parents in a readable format. He helps parents understand their children without being preachy. A parent could use this book as a resource for how to talk with her child and keep lines of communication open. Teachers and school counselors should read this book and make it available to parents and others. Not only is this book a great read, it is a great resource.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Always My Child: A Parent's Guide to Understanding Your Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered or Questioning Son or Daughter, March 8, 2006

By	W. M. WOMACK (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is an honest and on the mark book for parents about LGBTQ children and teens. It addresses issues important to the LGBTQ son or daughter and gives practical advice to the parent about acceptance and understanding.